Twenty-nine years after his death, Afrobeat pioneer and political activist, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has been posthumously honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy, reaffirming his enduring global influence and cultural relevance.
The recognition by the Grammy Awards has revived memories of Fela’s years of persecution under Nigeria’s military regimes, particularly his imprisonment in 1985 during the Buhari–Idiagbon administration.
That year, the Afrobeat creator—often described as the conscience of the nation—was sentenced to five years in prison for alleged foreign exchange violations. While serving his sentence at the Borno State Maximum Security Prison, Fela reportedly fell ill and was secretly transferred under heavy military guard to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for treatment.
The movement of the high-profile prisoner was closely guarded to prevent public attention in an already polarised nation. However, the transfer was quietly spotted at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, by the late Jerry Eyituoyo Agbeyegbe, a respected aviation journalist and airport correspondent.
Security presence at LUTH at the time reflected the gravity of Fela’s status, with armed military personnel stationed around the admissions area. Despite the restrictions, Fela received a handful of visitors, including members of his Egypt 80 band and close associates.
Dressed in his prison uniform and visibly weakened, Fela declined formal interviews but delivered a statement that would later become emblematic of his resistance and condition.
“Don’t forget, I am a prisoner,” he said.
Even in confinement, Fela remained reflective rather than defensive, choosing to speak about journalism, music, and life rather than his incarceration. His restraint underscored the vigilance with which he navigated state oppression.
Nearly three decades after his passing in 1997, Fela’s words still resonate—particularly in the context of ongoing debates about freedom, governance, and artistic expression in Nigeria.
The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award now places Fela firmly among the world’s most influential musical figures, recognising not only his sound but his courage, ideology, and uncompromising stance against injustice.
As admirers across generations celebrate the honour, the award serves as a reminder that while Fela once warned the world not to forget he was a prisoner, history has ensured that his voice was never imprisoned.
The Grammy, indeed, came when it was ready.
— Azuka Jebose
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