ANA Congratulates Prof. Niyi Osundare on his 79th Birthday

ANA CONGRATULATES PROF. NIYI OSUNDARE ON HIS 79TH BIRTHDAY

By ANA Media Team 

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has congratulated the renowned poet and scholar, Niyi Osundare, on the occasion of his 79th birthday, describing him as one of Africa’s most distinguished literary voices whose works have continued to shape generations of writers and scholars across the world.

This was contained in a press statement jointly issued by ANA President, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, and the Association’s General Secretary, Dame Joan Oji, PhD who praised the celebrated poet for his remarkable contributions to literature, scholarship, and the promotion of African cultural values through the written and spoken word.

ANA noted that Osundare, a poet, dramatist, critic, essayist, and media columnist, has authored eighteen books of poetry, two volumes of selected poems, four plays, a book of essays, and numerous scholarly monographs and articles on literature, language, culture, and society. His poems and essays have appeared in more than seventy journals and magazines worldwide, affirming his global reputation as a towering figure in contemporary African literature.

Born in Nigeria and educated across three continents, Osundare obtained his B.A. (Honours) from University of Ibadan, an M.A. from University of Leeds in England, and a Ph.D. from York University. He began his teaching career at the University of Ibadan in 1974, rising to the rank of full professor in 1989 and later serving as Head of the Department of English between 1993 and 1997. He later joined University of New Orleans as Professor of English, where he distinguished himself as a leading scholar and mentor, eventually earning the titles of University Research Professor and Distinguished Professor of English.

According to ANA, Professor Osundare’s works and scholarship have earned him numerous national and international honours, including the ANA Prize, the Cadbury/ANA Prize, the Commonwealth Poetry Prize which he won twice, the Noma Award for Publishing in Africa, the Fonlon-Nichols Award, and the prestigious Nigerian National Merit Award in 2014. His poems have been translated into several languages including French, Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, and Korean, further reflecting the universal appeal of his literary artistry.

The Association also commended the enduring legacy of the celebrated poet, noting that the Niyi  Osundare International Poetry Festival (NOIPOFEST), established in 2015 in his honour, continues to promote poetry, scholarship, and literary engagement through annual readings, conferences, and cultural outreach. 

ANA wished Professor Osundare continued good health, long life, and many more years of intellectual and creative productivity in service to literature and humanity.