Fresh details surrounding the tragic death of esteemed Nigerian novelist and filmmaker, Biyi Bandele, have come to light.
In August 2022, Bandele’s daughter, Temi Bandele, announced his sudden passing at the age of 54. At the time, the cause of his death was not disclosed.
However, a recent report by The Guardian UK has now revealed that Bandele tragically took his own life. The British publication disclosed that Bandele died by suicide just a day after an important conversation with his editor, Hannah Chukwu, regarding the novel he was working on, titled Yorùbá Boy Running. After this discussion, he sent Chukwu a revised version of the manuscript.
The report states: “On the following day, the 54-year-old filmmaker, playwright, and novelist took his own life.”
The Guardian further highlighted Bandele’s profound legacy, stating that he left behind an “impressive and strikingly varied body of work,” which includes the critically acclaimed film adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun. Bandele’s creative achievements spanned from adaptations of literary classics such as Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko, and Federico García Lorca’s Yerma, to poetry, screenplays, and novels like the 2007 publication Burma Boy, a poignant exploration of his father’s experiences as a British soldier in World War II.
In the wake of his passing, Temi Bandele shared her thoughts on her father’s final work, Yorùbá Boy Running, believing that he was at peace with his creation. “He knew these were the last words he was writing, and you can really feel the energy of that,” she said. Temi also noted that Bandele envisioned the novel as a catalyst for conversations that would continue after his departure.
The news of Biyi Bandele’s untimely death sent shockwaves through the global literary and film communities. He was deeply mourned by his family, colleagues, and fans, with many reflecting on the immense contributions he made to storytelling, both in Nigeria and abroad.
Born in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, to parents from Abeokuta, Ogun State, Bandele’s journey into the arts began with his studies in Dramatic Arts at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in Ile-Ife. His talent was quickly recognized when he won the prestigious BBC Playwriting Competition, prompting his move to England, where he built a successful career as a writer and filmmaker.
Before his death, Bandele had directed and adapted the screenplay for Elesin Oba: The King’s Horseman, based on Wole Soyinka’s classic play Death and the King’s Horseman. The film, produced for EbonyLife Films, was released posthumously in October 2022.
Bandele’s legacy remains alive through his extensive and powerful body of work, which continues to inspire conversations on history, identity, and culture.
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