The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has announced a major public event to celebrate the intellectual legacy of one of Africa's foremost scholars. The centre will host a symposium in honour of Professor Biodun Jeyifo as he marks his 80th birthday.
A Gathering of Minds on a Pressing Theme
Scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2026, the event will take place at the AGIP Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, starting at 9:00am. The symposium is themed 'Who Is Afraid of Decolonisation?', a question that directly engages with ongoing global debates. It aims to critically examine Jeyifo's profound contributions to curriculum reform, cultural resistance, and critical thought. The discussion will also probe the current relevance of decolonial ideas in today's educational, political, and public spheres.
Distinguished Speakers and Panel Sessions
The programme will be anchored by a keynote lecture from Professor Priya Gopal of the University of Cambridge. Her lecture is titled 'Who's afraid of decolonisation? Reflections on particular pasts and planetary futures.' The event will be chaired by Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Chairman of Tanus Books in Lagos.
Following the keynote, two panel sessions will delve deeper into the subject. The first panel will provide critical responses to Professor Gopal's address. It will feature prominent thinkers:
- Professor Jibrin Ibrahim of Political Science and Chairman of the Editorial Board at Premium Times.
- Dr. Chidi Amuta, Chairman of Wilson & Weizman Associates, Lagos.
- Professor Akin Adesokan of Comparative Literature at Indiana University, Bloomington, USA.
This session will be moderated by Professor Ropo Sekoni, the immediate past Chair of WSCIJ.
Reflections on a Legacy of Teaching
The second panel, themed 'Pedagogy for liberation: Then and now,' will bring together former students and mentees of Professor Jeyifo. They will reflect on his immense influence as a teacher, thinker, and builder of institutions. The panellists include:
- Dr. Bisi Anyadike, Proprietress of Sunshine Nursery and Primary School, Ile-Ife.
- Kunle Ajibade, Co-founder of TheNEWS and PM NEWS.
- Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, a lawyer and poet.
Professor Chima Anyadike of Obafemi Awolowo University will moderate this session.
The Celebrant's Remarks and Public Participation
A significant moment of the day will be the remarks from the celebrant himself, Professor Biodun Jeyifo. He is expected to share his reflections on curriculum, society, and revolution across different generations. The symposium is designed to convene a diverse audience of students, scholars, writers, journalists, and cultural critics. The event will conclude with audience interactions, networking, and collective reflections on Jeyifo's enduring impact on African scholarship and critical pedagogy. Members of the public are cordially invited to attend.
