Nollywood Ace filmmaker Biyi Bandele is dead at 54

The Nigerian movie industry has been thrown into mourning yet again as popular film-maker, Biyi Bandele has been confirmed dead.

The news of Bandele’s death was made public in a statement released via his Facebook page by his daughter, Temi Bandele late Monday.

The statement read, “As Biyi’s Daughter, 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 wish everyone to please respect the privacy of hs family and friends as we grieve his loss.”

Also, his colleague, Shaibu Husseini wrote, “Sad Day globally for the theatre and film industry. This is so so tragic. At 54? We have just  lost an Institution”.

Biyi  Bandele was a renowned novelist, playwright, director of Half of a Yellow Sun and co-director of the popular Blood Sisters. He was also a director of the highly successful Television Series, SHUGA: What’s Your Reality. He directed FELA – Father of Afrobeat (2018), a TV special documentary for the BBC; and his self-produced TV-Movie documentary, Africa States of Independence (2010).