THE POET LIED

This study establishes Odia Ofeimun as a consummate satirist through an analysis of his poetry collection, The Poet Lied. Employing the sociological theory of literature, this study examines how Ofeimun uses satire to critique three key sectors of Nigerian society: the clergy, for promoting a false religion in “Paradise for the Aladuras”; the political class, for their empty promises and false messianism in “A Serious Matter” and “The Messiahs”; and the privileged elite, for their brutal and futile greed in “After the News.” The study concludes that Ofeimun’s poetry serves as a powerful mirror, using sharp irony and vivid imagery to expose societal failings and affirm his standing as a critical voice in African literature.