President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief Joop Berkhout, a renowned Dutch-Nigerian publisher and cultural icon who significantly shaped Nigeria’s literary and publishing landscape.
Berkhout passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at his home in Ibadan, Oyo State, at the age of 94.
In a statement released by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Berkhout as a “doyen of publishing” who dedicated over six decades to advancing Nigeria’s literary culture.
“Chief Berkhout lived a remarkable life in Nigeria. He was a doyen of publishing for over 50 years, shaping the industry and inspiring many Nigerian writers,” Tinubu said.
Born in Amsterdam on March 31, 1930, Berkhout relocated to Africa after World War II and eventually settled in Nigeria in the 1960s.
He began his career with Oxford University Press before becoming the Managing Director of Evans Brothers in 1967.
Later, he founded Spectrum Books Limited in 1978 and Safari Books Limited in 1991, where he served as chairman until his death.
Berkhout’s contributions extended beyond publishing, as he was deeply integrated into Nigerian culture, earning the chieftaincy title Okun Borode of Ile-Ife in 1992.
For his service to the nation’s educational and literary sectors, he was awarded the national honor “Officer of the Order of the Niger” (OON).
His work nurtured generations of Nigerian writers and publishers.
President Tinubu also highlighted Berkhout’s enduring passion for education and literature, which continued even after his retirement in 2008.
“Though he hailed from the Netherlands, his heart belonged wholly to Nigeria,” Tinubu remarked.
The President extended condolences to Berkhout’s family in Nigeria and the Netherlands and to the global literary community.
“May his soul find eternal rest, and may his family draw strength from his legacy,” Tinubu concluded.
