Fela, who died nearly three decades ago after a lifetime of political activism and repeated clashes with Nigeria’s successive governments, was recognised at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday night. The award highlights his enduring global influence and the role he played in shaping modern music.
In a statement released on Sunday, Tinubu described Fela as “more than a musician,” adding that he was a “fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and reshaped global sound.”
The president said the award affirmed Fela’s “foundational role” in the evolution of African music and its impact on global culture.
Fela Kuti is widely credited with inventing Afrobeat in the 1970s—a powerful fusion of jazz, funk and African rhythms. The genre later paved the way for Afrobeats, the contemporary sound that has taken the world by storm by blending traditional African rhythms with modern pop.
The Grammy award was received in Los Angeles by members of the Kuti family, including Fela’s son, Femi Kuti. Nigerian pop star Davido, one of the leading figures in the Afrobeats movement, was also seen with the family during the ceremony.
Speaking from Lagos on Sunday, Fela’s grandson Made Kuti reflected on his grandfather’s legacy, saying the musician was “on the same professional level as the best of the best in the world that have ever existed.”
“There are not many people you can trace back as an originator of a style of music that would take that risk and be so creative that it’s really, truly developed into a genre that lives on its own,” Made Kuti added.
The Lifetime Achievement Award not only celebrates Fela’s musical innovation but also highlights the growing global recognition of African artists and the cultural impact of the continent’s music on the world stage.