Fela Kuti Honoured with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award — Tinubu Celebrates
By Erewunmi Peace
The world of music has honoured Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammy Special Merit Awards. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hailed the recognition, describing Fela as “a giant whose music reshaped the world.”
In a statement, President Tinubu praised Fela not only as a musician but as “a fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and inspired generations globally.”
Fela Kuti, who passed away in 1997, is widely credited with creating Afrobeat and influencing music worldwide. The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award cements his legacy as one of Africa’s most influential cultural icons.
Tinubu noted that this award highlights the global impact of African music and the enduring relevance of Fela’s art and activism. He called on young Nigerians to draw inspiration from Fela’s courage and creativity.
