The Department of English, University of Lagos (UNILAG), on Wednesday, March 17, 2026, commemorated the fifth posthumous anniversary of renowned Nigerian poet and dramatist, Professor John Pepper Clark.
The event, held at the Faculty of Arts Boardroom, brought together immediate family members, scholars, students, literary enthusiasts, and admirers of the late literary icon to reflect on his life, works, and enduring influence on Nigerian and global literature.
Speaking at the commemorative event, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Mudashir Ilupeju, paid glowing tribute to the late Professor J.P. Clark, highlighting the quality, wide reach, and linguistic simplicity of his works.
Represented by Professor Edmund Bamiro, the Dean described Clark as one of the foundational voices of modern African literature whose writings continue to shape literary scholarship and creative expression decades after their publication.
A major highlight of the event was the public presentation of a book titled J.P. Clark and the Decolonization of Colonial and Postcolonial African Modernity, edited by Hope Eghagha and Solomon Omatsola Azumurana.
The 245-page publication was reviewed by Dr. Kayode Kofoworola, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English, UNILAG. He described the book as demonstrating a rare depth of understanding of the Nigerian state through poetry, in the tradition of J.P. Clark’s own work. He further noted that the volume is a valuable addition to existing scholarship on the literary icon.
Speaking on behalf of the editors, Dr. Solomon Azumurana explained that the idea for the book originated at the second International Conference in honour of Professor J.P. Clark, held in October 2024.
He noted that the publication is part of a broader vision to produce a 10-volume series celebrating the life and works of the late scholar.
The event also featured a paper presentation titled Tradition and Revolt: Continuities and Discontinuities in Modern Nigerian Drama by Professor Bose Afolayan. The presentation commemorated the 40th anniversary of the appointment of Professor Ebun Clark, wife of J.P. Clark, as the first female professor in the Faculty of Arts, UNILAG, and her milestone as Nigeria’s first female professor of Theatre Arts.
The paper served as a tribute to Professor Ebun Clark’s significant contributions to the development of theatre and drama in Nigeria, both in scholarship and practice.
In addition, a spoken word performance was delivered by Joseph Abisola Marvelous, a 300-level student of the Faculty, adding a creative dimension to the event.
The high point of the occasion was the formal unveiling of the book by Professor Edmund Bamiro alongside members of the Clark family.
Responding on behalf of the family, Mr. Elaye Clark expressed gratitude to the University and the Faculty of Arts for honouring his father’s legacy. He recalled fond memories of the late literary figure and his aspiration to make a lasting impact. This ambition, he noted, has been realised not only through the quality of the new publication but also through the heartfelt tributes shared at the event.
About J.P. Clark
John Pepper Clark, widely known as J.P. Clark, was a distinguished Nigerian poet, playwright, and literary scholar whose works significantly shaped modern African literature.
Born on April 6, 1935, in Kiagbodo, in present-day Delta State, he studied English at the University of Ibadan. He rose to prominence in the 1960s as one of Africa’s leading literary voices.
His poetry is celebrated for its vivid imagery, cultural depth, and reflections on the Niger Delta environment and Nigerian society. Notable collections include Poems (1962), A Reed in the Tide (1965), and Casualties (1970), the latter reflecting on the Nigerian Civil War.
As a playwright, he produced influential works such as Song of a Goat (1961), The Masquerade (1964), and Ozidi (1966), drawing on African oral traditions, folklore, and classical dramatic forms.
The literary icon had a distinguished academic career at the University of Lagos, where he served as Professor of English. He also founded the PEC Repertory Theatre in Lagos, a platform dedicated to the promotion of African drama and performance arts.
He remained a towering figure in Nigerian and African literary circles until his passing on October 13, 2020.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Michael Joshua
