Blood Sisters director, Biyi Bandele, dies at 54

Akinwande Soji-Ojo

Nigerian novelist, playwright, director of Half of a Yellow Sun and co-director of the Nigerian Netflix series, Blood Sisters, Biyi Bandele, is dead.

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

“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,” she wrote.

Praising her dad, Temi said: “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.”

Bandele was a UK-based Nigerian writer for fiction, theatre, journalism, television, film and radio. He moved to London in 1990.