A living monument of the mind: A 76th birthday tribute to Olu Obafemi

By Sunny Ododo

TODAY, the global academic and literary community stands still to celebrate a titan, a sage, and a relentless architect of the Nigerian intellect—Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi (Nigerian National Order of Merit Award – NNOM – an academic award conferred on distinguished academics and intellectuals), as he attains the graceful age of 76. For over five decades, he has not just occupied the “frame” of Nigerian literature; he has expanded it, redefined it, and populated it with a generation of scholars who now lead the world.

Having had the distinct honour of co-authoring with the most respected Emeritus Professor Duro Oni, two seminal volumes titled Larger than his Frame—celebrating his 50th and 70th birthdays—I have watched this “frame” grow from a sturdy academic structure into a sprawling, global canopy of influence. At 50, he was already a giant of the theatre/literature and a lion of the academy. At 70, he became a “Living Treasure,” a National Merit Award winner who bridged the gap between town and gown. At 76, he is no longer just a man; he is an institution.

Obafemi’s life at 76 remains a masterclass in the Sankofa principle—reaching back to our roots while propelling us into the future. The Sankofa principle is derived from the Akan people of Ghana, meaning “to go back and fetch it”. Obafemi’s entire career has been a Sankofa project; a commitment to Cultural Retrieval as Radical Theatre. In his plays and critical essays, he does not just mimic Western drama; he “reaches back” into African indigenous performance, oral traditions, and grassroots idioms to create a modern Nigerian theatre. He “fetched” the past to make the present meaningful.

The fact that I have co-authored two volumes over several decades (50th and 70th birthdays) is an act of Sankofa. By documenting his life and contributions, we are “reaching back” to earlier stages of his career to ensure that his foundational ideas are not lost to the next generation of scholars. Oni and myself are “fetching” his legacy so it can fuel the future of African literary criticism. At 76, his role as a mentor is the ultimate expression of Sankofa. He uses his vast experience (the past) to “feed” and guide younger scholars (the future). He ensures that the “golden nuggets” of Nigerian intellectual history are carried forward, preventing a “cultural amnesia” in the academy. Obafemi is therefore a “Living” Sankofa that is not a “stagnant” elder. He is a dynamic bridge. He proves that we can only move forward effectively if we have the courage to look back and claim our authentic identity – a theme he has championed from his days at the University of Ilorin to his current chairmanship at CUSTECH Governing Council.

Prof. Olu Obafemi

His thematic identity can be summed up this way: The Playwright of the People: From Naira Has No Gender to Suicide Syndrome, his works have always been a transformative catalyst, demanding justice and human dignity. The Mentor of Mentors: His role as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at CUSTECH, Osara, is a testament to his unending commitment to the sustainability of the Nigerian educational system. The Moral Compass: As a recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM), he remains the conscience of our nation, a critic who speaks truth to power with the grace of a poet and the precision of a philosopher.

Obafemi is therefore the human personification of the Sankofa principle; he has spent 76 years reaching back into our deep cultural wells to fetch the wisdom that now sustains our modern academic frame.

True to his roots and the spirit of communal love, Obafemi’s career has been an intellectual “Love Feast.” He has “eaten and shared” his knowledge with thousands. His generosity of spirit is what makes him truly larger than any frame or title. He does not just write books; he writes people. He does not just build departments; he builds destinies. How true? Ya Na Wangbian is a Tiv expression meaning “Eat and share with a brother (or neighbour).” It is a philosophy of horizontal growth, communal equity, and the rejection of greed. It suggests that success is only valid if it is shared. This philosophy is Obafemian. He does not “hoard” his knowledge. Instead of sitting alone at the top of the academic mountain, he treats his wisdom like a communal meal. He has spent 76 years “feeding” students, junior lecturers, and co-authors (like yourself) with his intellectual resources.

Obafemi is a Prolific Giver: Despite being an Emeritus Professor and a National Merit Award (NNOM) winner, he remains accessible. He “shares” his platform with others – just as he shared the “frame” of our co-authored books with us, “Larger than his Frame”. This phrase perfectly explains why he is larger than his frame. He is not just one man; he is a collective force because he has distributed his “intellectual DNA” into so many others through the Ya Na Wangbian spirit. Indeed, as we look toward the potential third volume of your frame at 80, we remain humbled by the sheer vastness of your intellectual landscape.

Obafemi, as you step into your 76th year, we do not just celebrate your age; we celebrate your consistency. We celebrate the fact that the fire of your radicalism, the warmth of your mentorship, and the depth of your scholarship remain undimmed. Your pen is still sharp, your heart is still warm, and your legacy is indeed larger than any frame we could ever construct. May your pen never run dry; may your health be as robust as your literati, and may the frames of your influence continue to expand until they touch the very edges of eternity.

Happy 76th birthday, our larger-thanlLife Emeritus Professor!

* Prof. Ododo, a former President of the Society of National Theatre Arts, wrote this on April 4th