President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to legendary Nigerian musician and activist, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, following his posthumous receipt of the Recording Academy of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award (Grammy).
Fela Anikulapo Kuti, renowned for blending music with political activism, is one of Africa’s most influential cultural figures, whose work continues to resonate far beyond the continent, long after his death in 1997.
In a statement released to mark the honour, President Tinubu described Fela as far more than a musician, calling him a fearless voice of the people whose music confronted injustice and reshaped global sound. He said the award affirms Fela’s enduring influence on world music and recognises the foundational role Africa has played in shaping modern musical expression.
“Fela was a philosopher of freedom and a revolutionary force,” the President said, noting that his courage, creativity and conviction defined a generation and continue to inspire audiences across the world.
With the award, Fela Kuti becomes the first African to receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement honour, albeit posthumously. President Tinubu said the recognition underscores Fela’s trailblazing impact and his lasting imprint on global culture.
The President also highlighted Fela’s role as the creator and defining force of Afrobeat, a genre whose influence can be heard in generations of Nigerian musicians and in the evolution of Afrobeats and other contemporary sounds worldwide.
Invoking Yoruba mythology, President Tinubu said Fela has “transcended to a higher plane as an Orisa,” describing him as eternal in spirit and legacy.
“Fela lives,” the President declared, reaffirming that the late icon’s music, message and defiance of injustice remain alive decades after his passing.
