Femi Osofisan stands as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated playwrights, poets, and scholars. Born on June 16, 1946, in Erunwon, Ogun State, Osofisan grew up in a Yoruba community deeply rooted in storytelling, music, and performance. These early influences shaped his lifelong commitment to theatre and literature, creating works that blend traditional African performance with contemporary social critique. His plays, poetry, and novels have not only entertained audiences but have also challenged societal norms, inspired critical thinking, and reshaped postcolonial African theatre.
Early Life and Education
Femi Osofisan was born into a family of educators. His father, Ebenezer Olatokunbo Osofisan, was a schoolteacher and church organist, while his mother, Phoebe Olufunke Osofisan, was also a teacher. Growing up in this environment, Osofisan was exposed to both formal education and Yoruba cultural heritage, including oral storytelling, song, and ritual performance. This foundation became central to his later works, which often incorporate Yoruba myths, proverbs, and performance traditions.
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Osofisan attended primary school in Ile-Ife and continued his education at Government College, Ibadan, a school renowned for producing some of Nigeria’s leading writers and intellectuals. In 1966, he gained admission to the University of Ibadan to study French. As part of his degree program, he spent a year at the University of Dakar in Senegal, further exposing him to African languages and cultures. After graduating in 1969, he pursued postgraduate studies at the Université de Paris III (Sorbonne), France, which expanded his understanding of European drama and literary traditions.
Academic and Professional Career
After completing his postgraduate studies, Osofisan joined the University of Ibadan’s Department of Theatre Arts, where he rose through the ranks to become a full professor in 1985. During his tenure, he mentored generations of Nigerian dramatists, playwrights, and scholars, emphasizing the importance of theatre as a tool for social engagement and cultural expression. Following his retirement from Ibadan in 2011, he served as Distinguished Professor of Theatre Arts at Kwara State University, continuing his academic and mentoring work.
Osofisan has also held leadership roles in literary organizations, including serving as President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and President of PEN Nigeria, reinforcing his influence on the Nigerian literary and cultural landscape.
Literary Contributions
Osofisan is widely recognized as one of Nigeria’s most prolific playwrights, having written more than 60 plays, alongside novels, poetry, and essays. His writing fuses African oral traditions, ritual performance, music, and dance with contemporary themes, creating a postcolonial theatre that addresses social, political, and cultural issues.
Notable Plays
Some of Osofisan’s most acclaimed plays include:
Women of Owu : A retelling of the historical Owu war, inspired by Euripides’ The Trojan Women, focusing on the experiences and resilience of women affected by conflict.
Morountodun and Other Plays: Explores myth, history, and social change through innovative dramatic techniques.
The Chattering and the Song: Examines the role of artists and intellectuals in society.
Once Upon Four Robbers: Blends satire and social commentary to critique societal structures.
His work consistently explores themes such as war, governance, inequality, gender roles, and cultural identity, making theatre both a source of entertainment and a platform for critical reflection.
Novels and Poetry
Osofisan has published four novels: Ma’ami, Abigail, Pirates of Hurt, and Cordelia. Ma’ami was adapted into a Nigerian feature film in 2011, demonstrating the adaptability of his storytelling. His poetry collections, sometimes published under the pseudonym Okinba Launko, include Minted Coins and Dream-Seeker in Divining Chain, further highlighting his literary range.
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Awards and Recognition
Osofisan’s career has been recognized both nationally and internationally. He has received the Nigerian National Order of Merit in the Humanities, multiple awards from the Association of Nigerian Authors, and the Thalia Prize from the International Association of Theatre Critics, making him the first African recipient. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, underscoring his contribution to literature, theatre, and scholarship.
Legacy
Femi Osofisan’s influence extends beyond his written works. Through his plays, novels, poetry, and teaching, he has shaped modern Nigerian theatre and inspired new generations of writers and performers. His ability to blend traditional African storytelling with modern dramatic techniques ensures that African theatre remains both culturally grounded and globally resonant. His works continue to be performed internationally and studied academically, cementing his legacy as a visionary dramatist who transformed postcolonial African theatre.
Author’s Note
Femi Osofisan’s life and work show how theatre and literature can shape culture, question authority, and give voice to marginalized communities. He demonstrates the enduring power of African storytelling traditions, blending them with modern drama to address societal challenges and historical memory. His plays and writings remain essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the evolution of postcolonial theatre and the role of the artist in society.
References
Poetry Foundation, Femi Osofisan
National Archives of Nigeria Nalonline.org.ng, Babafemi Adeyemi Osofisan
The Nation Nigeria, Femi Osofisan at 75
African Books Collective, Women of Owu
