By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to legendary musician and Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, following his posthumous recognition by the Recording Academy with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In a statement shared by Dada Olusegun, special adviser to the President on social media, on Sunday, the President described Fela as a giant whose influence transcended music, noting that the late icon was not only an artist but also a fearless voice for the oppressed and a philosopher of freedom.
“The world of music has honoured a giant: Fela Anikulapo Kuti,” the statement read.
“Fela was more than a musician. He was a fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and reshaped global sound.”
President Tinubu highlighted Fela’s enduring impact on global music, stressing that his courage, creativity and conviction defined a generation and continue to inspire audiences around the world. He also referenced the cultural reverence surrounding the Afrobeat pioneer, noting that in Yoruba mythology, Fela has transcended to a higher plane as an Orisa, underscoring his lasting legacy.
Fela Kuti’s Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award makes him the first African to receive the prestigious honour, albeit posthumously. According to the President, the recognition affirms Fela’s enduring global influence and his foundational role in shaping Africa’s contribution to modern music.
“He defined Afrobeat, and you can hear and see his influence in generations of Nigerian musicians and in Afrobeats and beyond,” Tinubu stated.
The President concluded his message with a simple but powerful affirmation: “Fela lives.”
Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who died in 1997, remains one of Africa’s most influential cultural figures, celebrated worldwide for using music as a tool for activism, resistance and social change.
