Biyi Bandele, a well-known writer and director in Nigeria, has passed away. At the age of 54, he passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2022. Late on Monday, Temi Bandele, his daughter, announced his passing.
Sharing on social media:
“I am heartbroken to share the sudden and unexpected death on Sunday 7th of August in Lagos of my father Biyi Bandele.
“Biyi was a prodigiously talented writer and film-maker, as well as a loyal friend and beloved father.
“He was a storyteller to his bones, with an unblinking perspective, singular voice and wisdom which spoke boldly through all of his art, in poetry, novels, plays and on screen.
“He told stories which made a profound impact and inspired many all over the world. His legacy will live on through his work.
“He was taken from us much too soon. He had already said so much so beautifully, and had so much more to say. We ask everyone to please respect the privacy of his family and friends as we grieve his loss.”
Based in the UK, Bandele was a writer of plays, novels, and films. Half of a Yellow Sun, his first picture as a director, was warmly acclaimed. He has a movie called “Fifty” at the 2015 London Film Festival. He was the director of the 2018 BBC TV documentary FELA – Father of Afrobeat.
He also co-directed Blood Sisters, the first Netflix Original series from Nigeria, in 2022. He also directed the third season of the well-liked MTV drama series Shuga. The stage drama “Death And The King’s Horseman” by Professor Wole Soyinka will be adapted for the screen in the upcoming Netflix and Ebonylife TV co-production “Elesin Oba” (The King’s Horseman). He has been named as the director of this project. The movie’s world premiere is scheduled for September 2022 at the Toronto International Film Festival.
