By Sikiru Ayinde Barrister: Tribute to the Pioneer of Fuji Music on His 77th Posthumous Birthday
Ghazali Ibrahim
Today, February 9, 2025, marks what would have been the 77th birthday of one of Nigeria’s most iconic music legends, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, popularly known as Barry Wonder.
Though he passed away on December 16th, 2010, about over 14 years ago, his contribution to the music industry and his creation of the Fuji genre continue to resonate across generations to come.
Ayinde Barrister was born on 9 February 1948, to the family of Salawu Balogun who was a trader from Ibadan, and his father was a butcher.
He had his early education at Muslim Mission School and the Model School, Mushin, Lagos. He later studied typing and other commercial related classes at Yaba Polytechnic.
Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s journey to musical greatness wasn’t a smooth one. Before becoming the undisputed king of Fuji, he walked a long, winding path. Initially abandoning music to work as a bus conductor, Barrister later became a delivery man for Nigerian Breweries. His hard work paid off, and he eventually rose to the position of a clerk.
Determined to find more purpose in life, Barrister then enlisted in the Nigerian Army, where he fought in the Nigerian Civil War. During this period, he was reported to have been injured by Biafran soldiers in Abakaliki. Despite his valiant efforts on the frontlines, Barrister eventually retired prematurely from the military.
Following his resignation from the Army, Barrister made the pivotal decision to return to his first love—music. It was at this point that he reintroduce himself to the music world, carving out a niche in the Nigerian music scene that would eventually lead to the birth of Fuji music—a genre that mixed traditional chants with popular Nigerian sounds, and one that has influenced generations of musicians like K1 de Ultimate whom was later referred to as “Packer” due to his role of packing musical instrument for Barrister, Osupa, Pasuma, Obesere and the likes.
Barrister’s fusion of traditional and modern sounds elevated Fuji to new heights, turning it into a beloved genre in Nigerian music.
His innovative approach and great storytelling through music earned him a place in the hearts of millions, and his legacy lives on through the countless artists who continue to draw inspiration from his pioneering work.
Though he is no longer with us, his influence on Nigerian music remains profound. As we remember Sikiru Ayinde Barrister on his 77th posthumous birthday, we honor not only his contributions to music but his resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
