THE advent of Broadcasting Corporation in the Western Region of Nigeria didn’t just create jobs, it built a launchpad that propelled talents like Yemi Lijadu and Wole Soyinka from local stages to global platforms, representing not just their nation but the entire African continent on the world stage.

Born on November 6, 1929, at Moloney Street in Obalende, Lagos, Yemi Lijadu’s journey from the bustling streets of colonial Lagos to the corridors of UNESCO headquarters in Paris exemplifies what becomes possible when deliberate institutional investment meets exceptional talent. His rise from local broadcaster to UNESCO’s Chief of Cabinet demonstrates that extraordinary careers don’t emerge by chance; they’re cultivated through infrastructure that discovers potential, nurtures excellence, and creates pathways for meaningful contribution locally or globally.

Roots in a Cultural Capital

Lijadu’s early years were shaped by a Lagos that has since vanished into history, a city of intimate connections and collective responsibility. This close-knit community of fewer than 500,000 people provided the foundation for his remarkable journey.

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“Everybody knew everybody, the whole society was interested in building you up; you didn’t get out of the house and start misbehaving because any adult that sees you misbehaving was prepared to discipline you.”

Born into a family steeped in journalism and music, young Yemi was destined for creative expression. His father, Ayodele Lijadu, was a pioneering journalist who served as editor of the Daily Times and later as a decorated colonial information officer who reported from India and Burma during World War II. The musical heritage ran deep in the Lijadu household. As a student at CMS Grammar School, Yemi trained under T.K.E. Phillips in the Cathedral Church of Christ choir, eventually becoming Head Choirboy. This early immersion in music would prove crucial to his broadcasting career.

The NBC Years: Pioneering Nigerian Drama

In 1951, fresh from school, Lijadu joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation during its formative years. The timing was propitious—the BBC had just sent a team led by Tom W. Chalmers to establish proper broadcasting culture in Nigeria. Working alongside luminaries like Chinua Achebe (Head of Talks), Cyprian Ekwensi (Head of Features), Fela Sowande (Head of Music), and Bisi Onabanjo (Head of News), Lijadu found himself in extraordinary company.

Starting in the Gramophone Library, where he built a major sound archive, Lijadu soon helped establish the Drama Department. It was here that he made his most significant contribution to Nigerian popular culture. As Head of Department of Drama, he co-created “Shaky Shaky” (later known as “Safe Journey”), the first dramatic series ever broadcast on Nigerian radio and the first to use Pidgin English. This groundbreaking programme predated the famous “Village Headmaster” and featured scripts from notable writers, including a young Wole Soyinka.

“I got into broadcasting because of my musical background because I come from a family that has a lot of music. I grew up singing. I was the Head of the Choir and the soloist of the Cathedral Church of Christ for many years.”

This wasn’t mere circumstance; it was the convergence of heritage and opportunity. The programme became a cultural phenomenon, demonstrating that African languages and idioms could carry sophisticated storytelling to mass audiences.

Theatre and the 1960 Masks

Lijadu’s creative work extended beyond radio. He was deeply involved in Nigeria’s vibrant theatre scene during the late 1950s and early 1960s, performing with drama groups like Wole Soyinka’s 1960 Masks. He appeared in Soyinka’s seminal work “A Dance of the Forests” and other productions, contributing to Nigeria’s post-independence arts movement. His work in the film “Culture in Transition”, produced for a petroleum company, showcased his versatility across media platforms.

This collaborative spirit and interdisciplinary approach made Lijadu a central figure in the cultural renaissance that accompanied Nigeria’s independence.

“We were very proud of ourselves, we were very sure that we would succeed, that Nigeria would succeed, we didn’t have any doubt about that at all.”

This confidence, shared by his generation of educated Nigerians, would propel them to achievements that reshaped their nation and influenced the world.

The UNESCO Journey: Taking Nigerian Excellence Global

In 1962, Lijadu became the second Nigerian appointed to UNESCO, joining Rex Akpofure, who had arrived a year earlier as the first. Initially serving as Programme Assistant in the Department of Culture and Information, Lijadu quickly rose through the ranks. By 1964, at age 35, he had moved to Paris permanently, occupying the position of Deputy to the Head of English Production in the Radio and Visual Information Department.

At UNESCO, Lijadu produced hundreds of radio programmes and numerous films disseminated to English-speaking countries worldwide. His expertise led to his appointment as lecturer to UN producers and journalists on how to use materials from the UN system. The transition from national to international service represented not just personal advancement but the elevation of Nigerian expertise to the global stage.

Rising to Leadership

Lijadu’s career trajectory at UNESCO was remarkable. When the head of the English Department retired, he assumed leadership. He later served as Deputy Director of the UNESCO office in New York (1974-1978), effectively becoming Deputy Representative of UNESCO to the UN. Upon returning to Paris, he was appointed Director for the African division, overseeing UNESCO’s engagement with the entire continent.

His crowning achievement came when Director-General Amadou Mata M’bow, the first African to hold that position, appointed him Chief of Cabinet—the organisation’s second-highest position.

“Look Lijadu, you better come and be in charge of the cabinet,” M’bow had said.

This appointment recognised not just Lijadu’s diplomatic skills and cultural expertise, but his ability to navigate the complex world of international relations while maintaining his integrity and vision.

After retiring from UNESCO in 1989 following 25 years of international civil service, Lijadu continued serving Nigeria. He became Adviser to Nigeria’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, a position he held for 18 years until 2007, before continuing in an honorary capacity until his death in November 2025.

A Life Remembered

Those who knew Lijadu remembered not just his professional achievements but his generous spirit. Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, his close friend and collaborator, praised his role in cultural preservation, noting how Lijadu’s work at UNESCO involved rescuing world heritage sites threatened by “neglect, natural disaster, conflict or ideological obtuseness”.

Ambassador Gbadebo Oladeinde George captured his essence perfectly:

“A steadfast friend among friends, at work, at play, and in generosity of spirit.”

Funmilola Payne, whom Lijadu mentored in Paris, testified to his warmth:

“Uncle Yemi gave his time generously. He made everyone feel welcome, regardless of who they were. Each of us experienced a different side of him.”

Lessons from a Life Well Lived

Yemi Lijadu’s biography offers profound lessons about the importance of cultural investment and education. The Western Nigerian Region’s government investment in broadcasting created the infrastructure that nurtured talents like Lijadu and Soyinka. The NBC, with its deliberate policy of employing quality personnel and training them under BBC experts, proved that investing in cultural institutions yields dividends far beyond immediate returns.

Lijadu embodied the principle of cultural diplomacy, the understanding that art, language, and shared human experiences can bridge divides that politics cannot. His work demonstrated that African voices and stories deserve global platforms and that excellence knows no geographical boundaries.

When asked about his philosophy of life, he has this to say:

“I do everything but everything in moderation and I have enthusiasm for anything I do. “

A Legacy That Endures

Yemi Lijadu passed away on November 15, 2025, at his home in L’Amorlaye, France, at age 96. He left behind not just a family who loved him, but a legacy of cultural bridge-building that continues to inspire. From the Cathedral Church of Christ choir to UNESCO’s highest echelons, from pioneering Pidgin English radio drama to preserving world cultural heritage, Lijadu’s life traced an arc of service and excellence.

He proved that a boy from Obalende could become a global cultural ambassador without losing his Nigerian essence. As Gbénró Adégbólá noted in his tribute, Lijadu remained “a consummate, cultured gentleman” whose “life stood at the crossroads of creative expression and global fellowship.”

For young Nigerians and Africans aspiring to make their mark globally, Yemi Lijadu’s story offers this enduring message: excellence rooted in cultural authenticity, combined with openness to the world, can take you anywhere. His journey from Lagos to UNESCO demonstrates that investing in education, arts, and cultural infrastructure doesn’t just develop individuals—it elevates entire nations on the world stage.

As we celebrate his memory, we recognise Yemi Lijadu as one of those akinkanjus of Yoruba heritage who represented their race with distinction, proving that Nigerian excellence, when given opportunity and platform, can illuminate the world.