Some people pass through life quietly, leaving behind little more than a name. Others leave legacies chiseled into the stones of history with intellect, vision, and an unshakable sense of purpose. These are the pathfinders, the culture-bearers, the truth-tellers who remind us that history isn’t just dates and dusty archives; it’s alive, breathing, and profoundly human. One of such extraordinary individuals is Professor Saheed Aderinto, whose work stands at the intersection of deep scholarship and powerful storytelling.
Let me tell you, if history had a playlist, Professor Aderinto would be the track that keeps skipping the repeat button because it’s just that good. Born in Ibadan on January 22, 1979, this Nigerian-American powerhouse is a Professor of History and African Diaspora Studies at Florida International University, a Dan David Prize winner, a published author of eight books (yes, eight, and that’s not counting 36 articles and enough encyclopedia entries to make Wikipedia nervous), and most recently, a filmmaker. Because, why not?
And when I say filmmaker, I mean the real deal ni o, not “shot-on-my-phone-and-edited-on-iMovie” kind of filmmaker. I’m talking about The Fuji Documentary, his debut cinematic baby that hit the big screen in February 2024 and took us on a ride through the sweaty, soulful, electric world of Fuji music. While most of us were busy just dancing to the beat, this man was tracing its origins, decoding its meanings, and giving it the scholarly love it never knew it needed. He turned Fuji into a global conversation piece with premieres and showings from Lagos to the Smithsonian’s African American Film Festival in D.C., to lecture halls in the UK, Europe, and across Africa.
Now, let me get personal for a moment. I had the rare honour (and I say this with all my chest) of being interviewed for the documentary. Sitting across from a professor of his stature, camera pointed, lights blazing… you’d expect to be nervous. But not with him. He has this way of making you feel like your words are gold even when you’re stammering through a memory or trying to remember who exactly played the talking drum that day in 1999. He listens with both ears and his whole heart. And trust me, when the final edit dropped and I saw my face flash across the screen? Goosebumps. Real ones. The kind no weather can explain. Oreoluwa don dey go higher be that oooo
But beyond the scholar, beyond the global awards (hello $300,000 Dan David Prize in 2023, the biggest award in historical studies on the planet), beyond the fellowships and book prizes, there’s the man. And oh, what a man he is. If culture were a fashion brand, Aderinto would be its ambassador. He wears his tribal marks with pride, what some of us like to call “ancestral WiFi.” Because honestly, how else do you explain someone who tells our stories with such depth, such clarity, like the ancestors are just whispering in his ear on a daily basis?
And his love for tradition doesn’t stop at the face or the bookshelf. It goes all the way down to his stomach. Àmàlà and ewédú? Please. Don’t even joke with that. I’m convinced this man thinks better after a hot, steamy plate of àmàlà. Some people eat for survival, but I believe Professor Aderinto eats àmàlà for inspiration. That’s where the magic happens between a swallow and a smile. If you ever catch him with a glint in his eyes and a napkin in hand, know that the next big idea is already loading.
He’s also the founding president of the Lagos Studies Association, because again.. why stop at one legacy when you can build ten? He creates space for others, lifts voices, and mentors like someone who knows exactly how hard the climb can be. And somehow, with all this going on, he still manages to be a husband, a father, and the kind of friend who’ll probably reply your WhatsApp voice note with a quote from Chinua Achebe.
Let’s not lie, people like Aderinto don’t come around everyday. He’s in that rare club of global thinkers, alongside folks like Ken Burns and Ava DuVernay, only with a Yorùbá twist and a soft spot for dansiki. He’s showing the world that African stories are not just background music; they’re front and center, bass turned up, spotlight on, mic in hand.
So here’s to a historian who walks with the ancestors, dines with tradition, and speaks with a voice that echoes through time. You’re not just watching history unfold, you’re watching Professor Aderinto unfold it for us, piece by piece, with heart, humour, and àmàlà
And yes, sir! If you’re reading this, I’m still waiting for that surprise àmàlà delivery. With goat meat, please. I’ve earned it.
To more films, more books, more laughter, and more moments where culture takes the lead. We’re watching, learning, and cheering you on.
Published on May 31, 2025
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