President Bola Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti following his posthumous recognition with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, describing the late musician as a fearless champion of justice whose influence continues to resonate across generations.
In a statement released on Sunday, the President said the global music community had honoured a cultural giant whose work transcended entertainment and spoke directly to social conscience and freedom.
He described Fela as a revolutionary figure whose music confronted oppression and reshaped the soundscape of global music.
According to President Tinubu, Fela’s courage, creativity and unwavering conviction defined an era and ensured his place in history.
He noted that the Afrobeat legend had achieved immortality through his cultural and artistic legacy, adding that his voice remains relevant long after his passing.
Fela was honoured with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award on January 31, 2026, at the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards ceremony held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, ahead of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
With the recognition, he became the first African artiste to receive the prestigious award, which has been presented since 1963 to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the recording industry.
The late musician, who died in 1997 at the age of 58, was celebrated for his enduring impact on music, culture and political thought.
Other recipients of the award included global music icons such as Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon and Whitney Houston, who was also honoured posthumously.
The award was accepted on Fela’s behalf by his children, Femi, Yeni and Kunle Kuti, in the presence of family members and leading figures from the international music industry.
During the ceremony, Fela was described as a producer, arranger, political radical and the undisputed father of Afrobeat.
In his remarks, Femi Kuti said the recognition was significant not only for their family but also for Africa and the global struggle for justice.
Yeni Kuti expressed happiness that Fela was finally being acknowledged by the Grammys, noting that he was never nominated during his lifetime.
Seun Kuti also welcomed the honour, describing it as a symbolic moment that affirmed Fela’s long-standing connection with the people.
Born Olufela Ransome-Kuti in 1938 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Fela pioneered Afrobeat alongside drummer Tony Allen, blending African rhythms with jazz, funk and soul, while delivering politically charged messages.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, he released over 50 albums and remained a vocal critic of military rule, corruption and social injustice.
Despite repeated arrests and persecution, Fela remained defiant, earning recognition as a prisoner of conscience.
His funeral in Lagos reportedly drew more than one million mourners, underscoring his influence beyond music.
The Lifetime Achievement Award adds to growing international recognition of African music, following the 2025 induction of Fela’s 1977 album Zombie into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the introduction of the Best African Music Performance category in 2024.
