Witness History Building the New Afrika Shrine in Nigeria
Dec 2, 2025
Omoyeni Anikulapo-Kuti, also known as Yeni Kuti, the eldest daughter of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, shares her journey in building the New Afrika Shrine in Nigeria. She highlights the need to preserve her father's legacy and recounts the vibrant history of the original shrine as a hub of music and political expression. Yeni discusses challenges from local extortionists, the shrine’s unique design, and its role as a global cultural destination. She emphasizes the importance of keeping Afrobeat alive across generations through family performances and community engagement.
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Lease Loss Sparked A New Shrine
- Omoyeni Anikulapo-Kuti (Yeni Kuti) recounts how Fela's death triggered a land dispute over the original Africa Shrine lease.
- She and her brother Femi pleaded with the owners, were refused management terms, and decided to find a new site.
Site Choice Secured The Shrine's Future
- Yeni and Femi chose a corner business district in Ikeje to avoid residential complaints and ensure longevity.
- They intentionally sized the New Afrika Shrine larger to host bigger audiences and secure its future.
Old Design, Bigger Scale
- Yeni explains they recreated the old shrine's look but built it four times bigger to hold 2,500 people.
- The scale change preserved memory while expanding capacity for a growing audience.