Friends, family, and colleagues from Nigeria’s entertainment and media industries converged at the Five Palms Events Centre, Lekki, yesterday, Tuesday, November 25, 2025, to pay a heartfelt tribute to the late Akinloye Tofowomo, widely known as Akiin Shuga.
The celebrated musician, who redefined the live band genre in Nigeria and founded the iconic Shuga Band in 1998, passed away on October 30, 2025, in New Brunswick, Canada, at the age of 50.
The solemn night was a powerful testament to Akiin Shuga’s enduring legacy as a musician, entrepreneur, and mentor.
The event drew a distinguished gathering of personalities, including entertainment entrepreneur Darey Art Alade, longtime friend and comedian Tee A, Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Idris Olorunnimbe, Mrs Rianat Jibike Onigbanjo, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, media executive Chris Ihidero, and Ayeni Adekunle, founder of BHM and convener of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive).
The tribute featured a moving program that blended spiritual reflection with musical celebration. The late musician’s children, Adebola and Oludara Tofowomo, led the congregation with bible readings, followed by a short exhortation from Pastor Tosin Martins.
The renowned Shuga Band, which Akiin Shuga formed in 1998 and had built into a premier entertainment company, performed a selection of hymns and some of the deceased’s classic songs, and rounded up the evening in a poignant “5-star general salute” to their late leader.
Tributes from those closest to him highlighted his multifaceted impact: “Akiin was a warrior and a strategic planner,” said his elder brother, Pastor Femi Oludare, delivering the first tribute of the evening.
Mrs Rianat Jibike Onigbanjo, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, praised the late musician for his friendly demeanour and caring attitude. Current and former members of the Shuga Band also offered heartfelt thanks, acknowledging him for giving them a chance and consistently providing advice, guidance, and support.
The evening concluded with Tee A leading a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all who supported the event and the family during this difficult time. He also read a tribute from Otunba Abimbola Ashiru, Akiin Shuga’s mentor, who was unable to attend.
