The passing of Olu Ajayi in the early hours of May 23, 2025, has left a deep void in Nigeria’s artistic and intellectual landscape. Olu was not just a painter—he was a seer with a brush, a philosopher in pigment, and a national conscience who used canvas as his pulpit.
Born in the scenic hills of Ososo in Akoko Edo, Olu’s artistic journey was long and distinguished. With roots planted firmly in the traditions of Nigerian realism and experimentalism, he evolved into one of the most respected visual artists of his generation. His works graced galleries in Nigeria and across the globe—South Africa, Europe, Canada, and the United States—each one bearing witness to his mastery of color, form, and emotional depth.
But perhaps his most enduring artistic legacy lies in his deep connection with Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka. No other artist has captured Soyinka in as many moods, moments, and meanings as Olu did. Through his celebrated “Living Legends” series, which began in 2008, Olu sought to visually immortalize national icons—Soyinka chief among them. These portraits weren’t mere likenesses; they were layered tributes, breathing with history, protest, and reverence. For this, Olu became widely recognized as Soyinka’s visual chronicler.
He was also a man of deep intellect. Our paths crossed often in the mid-1990s, when he would arrive at my home or my Remilekun Street office, armed with a painting he was sure I couldn’t resist. He was almost always right. His lines spoke truth. His strokes summoned rebirth. Olu’s visits were never just about art—they were about ideas. Every session ended in long, probing conversations about Nigeria, justice, politics, and the future. It was in these conversations that his brilliance shone just as brightly as it did on the canvas.
A loyal friend, Olu was forthright, unpretentious, and passionate. He was a passionate member of the Pyrates Confraternity and an unwavering advocate for its ideals. When the idea of documenting the Confraternity through film came up, especially an interview with Cap’n Blood, Olu was my immediate and obvious choice. Sadly, the project never came to fruition before he took ill. In December 2024, just weeks before we were to begin, he suffered a stroke that he would never recover from. At the time, he was on the cusp of defending his PhD in Fine Art at the University of Benin—a goal that reflected his restless desire to grow, to contribute, to master his craft even further.
Throughout his illness, his beloved wife Priscilla stood by him with the strength and grace that only true love can summon. To her, and to his children, I offer my deepest condolences. May you find comfort in the pride of his legacy, and in knowing that Olu lived a life that mattered.
Nigeria has lost a cultural titan. The world has lost a rare talent. I have lost a brother.
Rest in peace, Olu Ajayi—the great artist from Ososo.
You saw deeply. You painted truly. You spoke fearlessly.
And now, you sail into immortality.
Prof. Adesoji Adesugba
