Bayo Adebowale
Bayo Adebowale (born 6 June 1944) is a Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, critic, librarian and founder of the African Heritage Library and Cultural Centre, Adeyipo, Ibadan Oyo State
Bayo Adebowale
- Name
- Bayo Adebowale
- Born
- 6 June 1944
- Birthplace
- Adeyipo village, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Education
- University of Ilorin
- Occupation
- * poet
- Known for
- * The Virgin
- Nationality
- Nigeria
- Fields
- writer · librarianship
- Languages
- English · Nigerian Pidgin · Yoruba
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
Bayo Adebowale (born 6 June 1944) is a Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, critic, librarian and founder of the African Heritage Library and Cultural Centre, Adeyipo, Ibadan Oyo State
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Note VALÉORINE
Bayo Adebowale (born 1944) is an academic, critic and librarian, among other activities, of Nigerian nationality. The academic was born in Ibadan.
Bayo Adebowale was educated at University of Ibadan and University of Ilorin. The academic worked for Polytechnic of Ibadan, Library, school of education and University of Ibadan and held the position of Deputy Rector. Bayo Adebowale worked in Ibadan. Activity centred on librarianship and writer.
Among the works are Lonely Days and Out of His Mind. Languages used include English, Nigerian Pidgin and Yoruba.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 01 October 2026
VALÉORINE
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Bayo Adebowale. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q20604227 · wikipedia · Bayo Adebowale
In this article
Biography
Biography
Bayo Adebowale studied at University of Ibadan and University of Ilorin. The recorded working language is English, Nigerian Pidgin and Yoruba. The field of work recorded is writer and librarianship. Places of work recorded in the authority are Ibadan. Employment is recorded with school of education, Polytechnic of Ibadan, Library and University of Ibadan. Positions recorded include Deputy Rector. Works named in the authority record are Out of His Mind and Lonely Days.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Bayo Adebowale • Born — 6 June 1944 • Birthplace — Adeyipo village, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria • Education — University of Ilorin • Occupation — * poet • novelist • critics • author • Years Active — 1961 - present • Known for — * The Virgin • Lonely Days
Early life and education
Early life and education
He was born on 6 June 1944 in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, Southwestern Nigeria into the family of Akangbe Adebowale, who was a farmer. Bayo obtained his West African School Certificate from Secondary Modern School Ibadan in 1958 after which he proceeded to St Peter's Teacher College where he received a Grade III certificate in education in 1961. He was admitted to Baptist College in Ede where he obtained a Grade II Teacher certificate. He later on proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in English Language in 1974 and served the National Youth Service Corps in 1975. The same year he joined the services of the Western State Public Service Commission as an education officer before he later became an English instructor at Government Trade Centre, Oyo State. Three years later (1978), He obtained a master's degree in the English language. The same year he joined the Oyo State College of Education as Lecturer I and was later transferred to the Polytechnic of Ibadan, where he rose to the position of Deputy Rector between 1999 and 2003 having obtained a Doctorate Degree (Ph.d) in Literature in English from the University of Ilorin in 1997.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1944
Bayo Adebowale born at Ibadan.
Books
He has published hundreds of books, short stories and novels as a prolific writer. His debut novel, The Virgin, was adapted into two Nigerian films: The Narrow Path, a 2006 Nigerian film produced and directed by Tunde Kelani, which starred Sola Asedeko, and The White Handkerchief. He authored Lonely Days, a book that focus on African culture. He has played a significant role in Black African Literature in English. He also authored a novel titled Out of his Mind. In 1972, his short story, titled The River Goddess bagged the Western State Festival of Arts Literary Competition and In 1992, his poem, titled Perdition bagged the Africa Prize in the Index on Censorship International Poetry Competition in London. His work have been used in research and teaching by several universities.
Primary material
Documents and archives
Institutional database
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q20604227: Bayo Adebowale
Scholarly · Wikimedia Foundation
reference work
- “Bayo Adebowale”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Artistic bells in a science world. The Punch.
- 2.The man who grew larger than life. nigeria.gounna.com.
- 3.Latestnigeriannews. Research: Expert seeks improved govt funding. Latest Nigerian News.
- 4.BAYO ADEBOWALE:BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. AFRICAN LITERATURE:IN HONOUR OF AFRICAN WRITERS: 1. BAYO ADEBOWALE. 2009-02-09.
- 5.Welcome to Adeyipo Village - Nigeria Content Online. nigeriang.com.
- 6.Holger G. Ehling. No Condition Is Permanent: Nigerian Writing and the Struggle for Democracy. Rodopi. 189. 2001. 9042014865.
- 7.Adewale Oshodi. How SYNW is promoting unknown young writers in Nigeria. tribune.com.ng.
- 8.Griswold, Wendy. Bearing Witness. Princeton University Press. 19 June 2000. 0691058296.
- 9.Bayo Adebowale's moving lines for African heroes. The Punch. 2017-04-06.
- 10.Adebowale, 'Bayo. The Virgin. Bounty Press. 1995. 9789783302914.
- 11.David Kerr. Media and Performance. Boydell & Brewer. 30. 2011. 9781847010384.
- 12.Spectrum Books. Lonely Days. 2006. 9789780297466.
- 13.Raïmi, Fatiou Akambi. "Typology and Significance of Proverbs and Proverbial Devices in Bayo Adebowale’s Lonely Days." Research Journal of English Language and Literature 3, no. 4 (2016): 715-725.
- 14.Lindfors, Bernth. Black African Literature in English, 1997-1999. James Currey Publishers. 2003. 9780852555750.
- 15.Thought with Pen: Book Review: Out of His Mind – Bayo Adebowale. Thought with Pen. 2015-09-12.
- 16.Archived copy.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
Institutional database
Wikidata, structured authority record Q20604227: Bayo AdebowaleWikimedia Foundation
Institutional witnessreference work
Secondary witness
Further particulars
Held on the record
Further particulars
Open the remaining particulars
Formation and teaching. Adebowale studied at University of Ibadan and University of Ilorin. The record notes the qualifications Bachelor of Arts and doctorate. Adebowale worked in writer and librarianship. He was employed by school of education, Polytechnic of Ibadan, Library and University of Ibadan. Recorded position is Deputy Rector. He worked at Ibadan.
Career and activity
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 19 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Books
38,988 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Bayan of the BaarinAuthor
- Bayard TaylorAuthor
- Bayezid IAuthor
- Bayezit BikbayAuthor
- Bayram PaşaAuthor
- Bea VianenAuthor
- Beah RichardsAuthor
- Bear GryllsAuthor
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own a work by Bayo Adebowale?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.