Biyi Bandele

**Biyi Bandele** (born Biyi Bandele-Thomas; 13 October 1967 – 7 August 2022) was a renowned Nigerian novelist, playwright, and filmmaker who made significant contributions to African literature and cinema. His work spanned multiple genres, often exploring themes of Nigerian history, migration, and the complexities of modern African life.Early Life and Education Biyi Bandele-Thomas was born on October 13, 1967, in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, to Yoruba parents. His father, Solomon Bandele-Thomas, was a veteran of the Burma Campaign in World War II, a history that later inspired his literary work. Bandele pursued his higher education at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife. In 1990, at the age of 22, he relocated to London, UK, carrying the manuscripts of two novels, marking the beginning of his international career.Literary Career and Playwriting Bandele began his career primarily as a novelist and playwright. His debut novel, *The Man Who Came in From the Back of Beyond*, was published in 1991, followed by *The Sympathetic Undertaker: and Other Dreams* in the same year. His subsequent novels include *The Street* (1999) and *Burma Boy* (2007), which was published in the US and Canada as *The King's Rifle*. As a playwright, he received early recognition, winning the International Student Playscript Competition for *Rain* in 1989. His playwriting credits include *Two Horsemen* (1994), which won the London New Play Festival, and adaptations of classic works such as Chinua Achebe's *Things Fall Apart* and Aphra Behn's *Oroonoko*. His works were commissioned and performed by prestigious venues like the Royal Court Theatre.Career Progression in Filmmaking Bandele successfully transitioned from literature to film, taking on the roles of director and screenwriter. His directorial debut was the feature film *Half of a Yellow Sun* (2013), an adaptation of the award-winning novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This was a notable achievement in Nigerian cinema, bringing a major African literary work to the screen. He continued his filmmaking career by directing the third season of the popular MTV drama series *Shuga* (subtitled *Shuga Naija*) in 2013. In 2015, his film *Fifty* was included in the London Film Festival. In 2022, Bandele directed the critically acclaimed *Blood Sisters*, the first Netflix Nigerian Original series. That same year, he also directed the feature film *Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman*, a Netflix co-production based on Wole Soyinka's play *Death and the King's Horseman*.Major Achievements and Legacy Biyi Bandele was celebrated for his versatility and his success in bridging different storytelling mediums—literature, theater, and film—while maintaining a focus on authentic African narratives. Key achievements include the successful adaptations of influential novels and plays, and his pioneering role in the development of high-profile Nigerian content for global streaming platforms like Netflix. Bandele died on August 7, 2022, in Lagos, Nigeria, at the age of 54.Notable Works * **Novels:** *The Man Who Came in From the Back of Beyond* (1991), *The Street* (1999), *Burma Boy* (2007). * **Plays:** *Rain* (1989), *Two Horsemen* (1994). * **Films/Television:** *Half of a Yellow Sun* (2013), *Shuga* (Season 3, 2013), *Fifty* (2015), *Blood Sisters* (2022), *Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman* (2022).Current Status Although deceased, Biyi Bandele's legacy continues through his substantial body of work in film and literature. His final novel, *Yorùbá Boy Running*, which was partly inspired by the life of his formerly enslaved great-grandfather and includes an introduction by Wole Soyinka, is scheduled for posthumous publication in July 2024. He is remembered as a powerful and influential voice in contemporary African arts.