President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated Nigerian music pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti following his posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In a statement on Sunday, Tinubu said the world of music “has honoured a giant” in Fela Kuti, describing him as a fearless voice of the people whose music confronted injustice and reshaped global sound. “His courage, creativity, and conviction defined a generation and continue to inspire the world,” he added.
Fela, died in 1997, became the first African artiste to receive the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The honour recognises performers who have made significant and lasting contributions to the recording industry. His children accepted the award on his behalf at the ceremony in Los Angeles.
The award highlights Fela’s enduring influence on global music. He pioneered Afrobeat, blending jazz, funk, highlife, and traditional Nigerian rhythms. His songs often carried political messages, challenging injustice and inequality in Nigeria and beyond.
President Tinubu said in his statement, “In Yoruba mythology, he has transcended to a higher plane as an Orisa. He is now eternal. Fela lives.”
At the Grammy event, Fela’s family, including Yeni, Kunle, Shalewa, and Femi Kuti, participated in the tribute. The recognition places Fela among other music legends celebrated by the Recording Academy, affirming his foundational role in the evolution and global impact of African music.
