SALAWA ABENI CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN MUSIC AS PASUMA, OSUPA, NOLLYWOOD STARS HONOUR HER
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By: Muftau Fatimo
Veteran Waka musician, Salawa Abeni, has been celebrated by prominent musicians, Nollywood actors, government representatives and other dignitaries as she marked 50 years in the Nigerian music industry.
The golden jubilee celebration, held on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, attracted notable personalities from across the entertainment industry to honour Abeni’s contributions to Nigerian music and her role in preserving the traditional Yoruba genre, Waka.
Among the musicians who graced the occasion were Fuji stars Wasiu Alabi, popularly known as Pasuma; Saheed Osupa; Sule Alao, aka Malaika; and Sefiu Alao.
Nollywood actors, including Faithia Balogun, Saidi Balogun, Yinka Quadri, Foluke Daramola, Afeez Owo and Madam Saje, were also in attendance to celebrate the veteran singer’s remarkable career.
The event featured live musical performances, tributes and an exhibition of archival materials documenting Abeni’s journey from her early days in the music industry to becoming one of Nigeria’s most recognised traditional music performers.
Abeni also took to the stage to perform some of her popular songs, giving guests a nostalgic experience of the music that defined the early years of her career.
Her performances highlighted the enduring significance of Waka music, which has served not only as a source of entertainment but also as a medium for documenting events, celebrating individuals and preserving Yoruba cultural traditions.
A goodwill message from Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was delivered at the ceremony by the wife of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Oluremi Hamzat, who represented her at the event.
In her message, the First Lady commended Abeni for her resilience and dedication to indigenous Nigerian music, acknowledging her contributions to preserving history and promoting societal values through her songs.
The anniversary also provided an opportunity to reflect on the singer’s musical journey, which began in 1976 when she released her debut album, Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, at the age of 15.
The album, dedicated to Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, helped establish Abeni as a prominent figure in Waka music and marked the beginning of a career that would span five decades.
Beyond celebrating her longevity in the industry, the occasion highlighted the importance of indigenous music in preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage and passing traditions from one generation to another.
Fifty years after the beginning of her professional recording career, Abeni remains a notable figure in traditional Yoruba music, with the anniversary bringing together entertainers from different generations to recognise her enduring contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry.
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