Biyi Bándélé Biography, Education, Career, Controversies, And Death
Biyi Bándélé, born Biyi Bándélé Thomas on October 13, 1967, was a gifted Nigerian novelist, playwright, and filmmaker. Renowned for his contributions to both literature and cinema, Bandele authored several novels and wrote acclaimed stage plays before transitioning to film.
Biyi Bándélé Profile
| Name | Biyi Bándélé |
| Real Name | Biyi Bandele Thomas |
| Date of Birth | 13 October 1967 |
| Date of Death | 7 August 2022 (54 years) |
| Tribe | Yoruba |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Novelist, Playwright, and Filmmaker |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | $1 Million |
| Copied from | contents101.com |
Educational Background
Bandele studied Dramatic Arts at the University of Ife, now known as Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where his passion for storytelling deepened. Before completing his degree, he had already begun crafting his first novel and writing plays, laying the foundation for his literary career.
Career
Biyi Bandele’s creative output spanned multiple genres. His early novels include The Man Who Came in From the Back of Beyond (1991) and The Sympathetic Undertaker. He also gained recognition in theater, earning commissions from the Royal Court Theatre in London and winning the Wingate Scholarship. After moving to the UK in 1990, he continued to publish and collaborate with prominent theaters.
In 2013, he made his filmmaking debut with Half of a Yellow Sun. His cinematic portfolio grew with projects like the documentary FELA – Father of Afrobeat and Netflix’s Blood Sisters. He was working on Elesin Oba, an adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman, at the time of his death.
Controversies
Bandele’s death sparked controversy when his daughter, Temi Bandele, shared her belief that her father had deliberately chosen to end his life. Temi revealed that Bandele’s final novel, Yorùbá Boy Running, was intended to be his parting gift to the world. She expressed that he knew it would be the last story he ever wrote and wanted it to spark meaningful conversations after his death.
Personal Life
Bandele was born in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, to Yoruba parents. His father, Solomon Bandele-Thomas, was a veteran of World War II’s Burma Campaign, which heavily influenced his son’s creative interests.
Biyi spent much of his early life in northern and southwestern Nigeria before moving to London in 1990 to pursue a writing career. He was the father of two children, including Temi Bandele, who has shared insights into his artistic legacy and final creative efforts.
Biyi Bándélé Net Worth
At the time of his death, Biyi Bandele’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 Million.
Death
Biyi Bandele passed away on August 7, 2022, in Lagos, Nigeria, at the age of 54. The cause of death was later confirmed as suicide. His daughter Temi shared the family’s heartbreak and revealed that her father’s final novel was part of his farewell to the world.
Bandele’s funeral took place on September 23, 2022, and he was mourned by the global literary and cinematic communities. In 2024, Brixton House Theatre in London honored his legacy with A Night to Remember, celebrating his contributions and launching his final novel, Yorùbá Boy Running.
