Tinubu Celebrates Fela Kuti as Afrobeat Icon Receives Grammy Lifetime Honour
President Bola Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, describing the late musician as a bold advocate for justice whose work transformed African music and left a lasting mark on the global stage.
The President’s tribute followed the announcement that Fela had been posthumously conferred with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy of America, a recognition that makes him the first African recipient of the honour.
In a statement personally signed on Sunday, Tinubu said Fela’s music went beyond entertainment, noting that the artist used his voice to challenge oppression and inspire social consciousness.
According to the President, Fela’s fearlessness, originality and unwavering principles defined an era and continue to resonate across generations, both within Nigeria and internationally.
Tinubu said the Grammy recognition underscored Fela’s far-reaching influence and acknowledged his foundational role in projecting African music onto the world stage.
He described the award as a historic milestone that reflects the profound impact of Fela’s work on contemporary music and Africa’s cultural contribution to global sound.
Drawing from Yoruba cultural imagery, Tinubu said Fela’s legacy had transcended mortality, portraying the late musician as a timeless figure whose influence remains alive.
The President also highlighted Fela’s pioneering role in shaping Afrobeat, noting that the genre has grown into a dominant force in modern African music and continues to influence artists across continents.
He added that Fela’s creative imprint can still be heard in the works of Nigerian musicians and in the broader Afrobeats movement.
Fela Kuti, who died in 1997, was formally honoured at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday, February 1.
The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is among the Recording Academy’s highest honours and is reserved for artists whose contributions have significantly shaped the music industry and cultural history.
Widely regarded as the creator of Afrobeat, Fela fused traditional Yoruba rhythms with elements of jazz, funk and highlife, using his music as a platform for political expression and social critique.
