Femi Osofisan

Babafemi Adeyemi Osofisan, widely known as Femi Osofisan, is a highly distinguished Nigerian professor, playwright, poet, and critic. Born on June 16, 1946, in Erunwon, Ogun State, Nigeria, he is recognized as one of the most prolific and influential figures in contemporary African literature and theatre. Osofisan often explores themes of societal decadence, post-colonial conflict, and the dichotomy between good and evil in his didactic works. He is also known for writing poetry and critical essays under the pseudonym Okinba Launko. Osofisan's early life included attending Government College, Ibadan, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1963 and won the T. M. Aluko Prize for Literature. He pursued his higher education at the University of Ibadan, initially studying French in 1966. He also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris. His career is marked by exceptional productivity and intellectual depth, having written and produced over 60 plays throughout his decades-long career. His distinctive writing style blends traditional Yoruba theatre conventions with modern experimental techniques. Beyond playwriting, Osofisan is a notable academic, holding the position of Professor. Osofisan’s most notable works include his extensive catalogue of plays and four works of extended prose fiction: Ma'ami, Abigail, Pirates of Hurt, and Cordelia. These prose works were initially serialized in Nigerian newspaper columns like The Daily Times and The Guardian. His novel, Ma'ami, was notably adapted into a film in 2011. Among his major achievements, Osofisan became the first African to be awarded the prestigious Thalia Prize by the International Association of Theatre Critics (IATC) in 2016, recognizing his profound contributions to world theatre. He also received the PAWA Membership Honorary Award in 2015. Currently, Femi Osofisan serves as the Vice President (West Africa) of the Pan African Writers' Association.