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Queen SALAWA ABENI Give Details
Queen of Waka music, Alhaja Salawa Abeni, has recounted how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came to her aid when she was seriously ill and unable to walk. The singer made the revelation during her 50th anniversary on stage, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday, October 18, 2026. According to Salawa, she once visited Tinubu’s residence on Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, while using a walking stick. She was still struggling with health challenges following the death of her son, and her physical condition had deteriorated considerably.
She recalled that Tinubu was informed of her presence but initially could not recognise her because of how much her appearance had changed. Moved by her condition, he reportedly contacted former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and asked him to arrange for her to travel to Dubai for medical treatment.
Salawa expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the intervention, describing it as an important act of kindness during one of the most difficult periods of her life. Her account has brought renewed attention to the health crisis that kept her away from normal activities for years and threatened a music career she had built from her teenage years.
Salawa Abeni’s health challenges became public knowledge several years ago. In an interview with Punch published on April 29, 2018, she disclosed that she had been paralysed for about 5 years and was still receiving treatment.
“I am still ill and receiving treatment,” she said at the time.
She acknowledged the support of her family, the Lagos State Government, Tinubu, Fashola, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji and former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. She also confirmed that she had returned from Dubai, where she received treatment with support from the Lagos State Government.
A report published by Business Times Nigeria on September 18, 2026, stated that the singer became paralysed from her neck down following the death of her first son, Lanre. During the period, she reportedly depended on other people for basic activities such as bathing and dressing.
The illness affected both her personal life and career. As a performer whose work involved live shows and public appearances, she could no longer work as freely as she had done before.
She also spoke about the financial burden of managing her condition. A report by Insight Global News in May 2025 stated that she sold properties, cars and jewellery to meet the cost of her treatment.
Despite these difficulties, she continued to hope for recovery. Her return to public life after years of ill health marked an important turning point in her story.
The death of her first son, Lanre, was another painful chapter in Salawa’s life.
The singer has spoken about the lasting grief that comes with losing a child and linked the period to the health struggles that followed.
Her account of Tinubu’s intervention at Bourdillon offers a personal glimpse into the severity of her condition and the assistance she received.
In her 2018 interview, she publicly thanked several people who supported her during the difficult period, including government officials and members of her family. Her latest recollection highlights the role she says Tinubu played in arranging her treatment in Dubai.
SALAWA ABENI JOURNEY
Born in Epe, Lagos State, Salawa Abeni began her musical journey as a teenager. Her rise to prominence started in the 1970s, when she entered an industry in which female performers faced considerable challenges in establishing themselves. In her interview, she explained that she grew up with Mr and Mrs Ganiu Otun after being sent to live with relatives. Her mother had been ill for years, and her father had made arrangements for her to live away from her immediate family. She developed an interest in singing at a young age and often sang while carrying out errands. She also listened to established Nigerian musicians, including King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey and the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, through radio programmes.
At about 13, she began her professional music career. In 1976, at the age of 15, she released her first album, Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, through Leader Records. The album was dedicated to the memory of the late Nigerian head of state and helped introduce her to a wider audience. That release marked the beginning of a career that would span five decades. Salawa became one of Nigeria’s most recognisable performers of Waka music, a Yoruba musical tradition associated with rhythmic singing, social commentary and indigenous expression.
However, she clarified in a September 2026 interview that she did not invent the genre, noting that other women were already performing Waka before she entered the industry. Her contribution has been in popularising the style and sustaining its appeal across generations. In 1992, the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, conferred on her the title of Queen of Waka Music. Over the years, she released numerous songs and albums reflecting everyday experiences, relationships, respect for elders and social values. Her works include Iba Agba and Gentle Lady, released in 1991.
She also recorded music with her former husband, veteran Fuji musician General Kollington Ayinla. Through her distinctive voice and stage performances, Salawa established a lasting place in the Nigerian music industry, particularly among audiences who appreciate indigenous Yoruba music. Salawa Abeni celebrates 50 years on stage The veteran singer marked 50 years in music at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, on October 18, 2026.
The event, organised by Lahmad Concepts, brought together music lovers, entertainers, public figures and other guests to celebrate her contribution to Nigerian music. The programme featured tributes, an exhibition of archival materials and live musical performances reflecting her journey. The anniversary offered an opportunity to look back at her career, from the release of her debut album in 1976 to her recognition as the Queen of Waka music and her eventual return to public life after years of ill health.
Among those present were Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s media aide, Jubril Gawat, and Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, wife of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, who represented First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu. In a goodwill message delivered through her representative, the First Lady acknowledged Salawa’s contribution to preserving indigenous Nigerian music and using songs to communicate stories and values. The tribute also recalled the singer’s appearance at the First Lady’s 40th birthday celebration.
As she celebrates five decades in the music industry, Salawa remains an important figure in the history of Nigerian indigenous music. Her career has helped bring Waka to a larger audience while keeping the Yoruba musical tradition in public consciousness.
Promise Babatunde
