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One Death, Many Loses for Nigerian Intellectuals: A Tribute to Prof. Gabriel Saawua Nyityo

 One Death, Many Loses for Nigerian Intellectuals: A Tribute to Prof. Gabriel Saawua Nyityo


By Emeka Esogbue


The news of the loss of Prof. Gabriel Saawua Nyityo to the chilling, stifling hands of death struck me with profound grief and a troubling sense of vulnerability regarding human life in our society.


Tragically, Prof. Nyityo was allegedly killed alongside his 19-year-old brother, Lorngee John Nyityo, during an attack on their residence in the Adaka area of Makurdi in the early hours of July 8, 2026. That our nation continues to lose academics, healthcare workers, journalists, and other vital professionals in such a manner drives even the living to despair.


Back in my undergraduate days at Lagos State University (LASU), I was privileged to be a student of this "Early African Civilization" connoisseur, who also supervised my final project. I fondly remember how astonished he was by my choice of topic, relating to the history of Catholicism, with particular reference to the Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac Town; especially, since I was not a Catholic at the time. He wittily quizzed me on whether I could truly handle the sheer volume of topics and subtopics I had presented, leaving me hesitant yet determined to respond in the affirmative.


Many years later, Prof. Nyityo would read my historical works on our Anioma people and offer his warm commendations. Each time, I made sure to remind him of his foundational mentorship especially those jaw-breaking, Neanderthal names he introduced us to in class, which initially shattered our confidence but ultimately shaped our knowledge.


The passing of a scholar like Prof. Nyityo is a monumental loss, not only for his family and colleagues but also for his former students and the broader landscape of historical scholarship in Nigeria.


Until his untimely demise, he was a Full Professor of Social and Political History in the Faculty of Arts at the Benue State University, Makurdi (recently renamed Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University), and was officially recognized in the National Universities Commission (NUC) Directory of Full Professors.


Prof. Nyityo was not only brilliant but widely respected for his scholarship, his leadership within the Department of History, and his dedicated mentorship of students and younger academics. His work deeply explored Nigerian social and political history, alongside broader issues of social transformation. His intellectual candor and parrhesiastic (boldly truthful) nature are qualities that fellow humanists will sorely miss.


This horrific tragedy accentuates the critical, urgent need for stronger public security, more effective criminal investigations, and greater protection for all citizens, regardless of their profession.


May the soul of Prof. Gabriel Saawua Nyityo rest in peace.


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