Pius Adesanmi

**Pius Adesanmi Biography** Pius Adésanmí was a Nigerian-Canadian professor, author, and literary critic, widely celebrated for his incisive satirical columns focusing on African sociopolitics and the Nigerian condition. He was a distinguished academic and a prominent public intellectual whose work significantly contributed to post-colonial African discourse. **Early Life and Education** Pius Adésanmí was born on February 27, 1973, in Isanlu, Kogi State, Nigeria. He pursued his education extensively, obtaining a first-class honours degree in French from the University of Ilorin in 1992. He followed this with a Master's degree in French from the University of Ibadan in 1998, and later earned a Ph.D. in French Studies from the University of British Columbia, Canada, in 2002. **Career Progression and Major Achievements** Adesanmi began his academic career at the Pennsylvania State University before transitioning to Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. At Carleton, he was a Professor of Literature and African Studies. He also served as the director of the university's Institute of African Studies until his death. Beyond academia, Adesanmi was a regular and influential columnist for Nigerian publications like *Premium Times* and *Sahara Reporters*. His writings were known for their satirical approach, often critiquing the absurdities, corruption, and failures within the Nigerian social and political system. **Notable Works and Awards** Adesanmi was a prolific writer across multiple genres. His notable works include: * *The Wayfarer and Other Poems* (2001) * *You're Not a Country, Africa* (2011) * *Naija No Dey Carry Last* (2015) * *Who Owns the Problem? Africa and the Struggle for Agency* (Posthumously published, 2020)In 2001, his debut book of poetry, *The Wayfarer and Other Poems*, won the Association of Nigerian Authors' Poetry Prize. His significant international recognition came in 2010 when his collection of essays, *You're Not a Country, Africa*, won the inaugural Penguin Prize for African Writing in the nonfiction category. **Current Status** Pius Adesanmi died on March 10, 2019, at the age of 46, when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed shortly after take-off. His death was widely mourned as a significant loss to African literature and intellectualism. Following his passing, a collection of poetry titled *Wreaths for a Wayfarer* was published in his honor, featuring 267 poems from writers globally, referencing his first published book.