By Muhammad Mamman
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to the late Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, following his posthumous recognition with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy at the Grammy Awards.
In a statement on Sunday, the President described Fela as a cultural force whose music and activism placed Nigeria firmly on the global map. He said the Grammy honour reaffirmed Fela’s enduring influence on contemporary music and his role in shaping Afrobeat into a worldwide movement.
Tinubu noted that Fela’s fearless artistry, social commentary and uncompromising stance against oppression resonated far beyond Nigeria, inspiring generations of musicians across Africa and the diaspora. He added that the recognition was not only a celebration of Fela’s legacy but also a testament to Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
The President congratulated the Kuti family and the global Afrobeat community, saying the award underscored the genre’s growing international acclaim. He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the creative industry and preserving the legacies of Nigerian icons whose works continue to project the country’s soft power abroad.
Fela Kuti, who died in 1997, remains one of Africa’s most influential musicians. His fusion of jazz, highlife and traditional rhythms into Afrobeat, combined with politically charged lyrics, has left an indelible mark on global music—one the Grammys have now formally immortalised.
