Salawa Abeni marked 50 years on stage at a Lagos celebration on 18 October, bringing together musicians, actors and public figures to recognise her career in waka music.
The event took place at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island. It celebrated a professional recording journey dating to 1976, when she released Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed as a teenager.
Punch’s account, published on 25 October, reported live performances, tributes and an exhibition of archival material from different stages of her career. Abeni also performed during the ceremony.
Fuji musicians Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Saheed Osupa, Sule Alao Malaika and Sefiu Alao attended, according to the report. Actors present included Faithia Balogun, Saidi Balogun, Yinka Quadri, Foluke Daramola, Afeez Owo and Madam Saje.
A goodwill message from First Lady Oluremi Tinubu was delivered by Oluremi Hamzat, wife of the Lagos State deputy governor. The message acknowledged the singer’s dedication to indigenous music and her contribution to preserving history through song.
The anniversary’s digital archive traces Abeni’s career from her early recordings through subsequent record labels and performances. It identifies her debut as a Leader Records release and places that milestone in 1976.
The archive describes her music as combining Islamic praise, social commentary and Yoruba rhythm. Its account of the 1980s includes recordings such as Gentle Lady and Indian Waka, alongside images of record sleeves and studio portraits.
It also records her departure from Leader Records in 1986 and subsequent work with Kollington Ayinla’s label until 1994. Those changes form part of the career chronology presented for the anniversary.
In 1992, the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, conferred on her the title Queen of Waka Music, according to the archive. The title remains central to how she is presented in the anniversary material.
The website offers a gallery and links to music on streaming platforms, allowing listeners to encounter recordings from different periods. It presents the collection as a continuing archive rather than a record limited to the anniversary evening.
Abeni reflected on the occasion during an appearance on the Morayo Show before the celebration. NTA’s account, published on 13 October, reported her appreciation for the recognition and her acknowledgement of relatives across generations.
She spoke about setbacks and renewed determination, describing periods of difficulty while remaining committed to her work. The broadcaster noted that much of her response was in Yoruba.
Asked about the distinctive quality of her voice, she attributed her talent to divine grace. She said she had not initially recognised what made it different.
The programme also featured her children, Sheriffdeen, known as Big Sheff, and Okikiola Aminat, known as Candy or Oliki Candylassy. They discussed childhood and their experiences of growing up with the singer.
NTA’s advance report identified the same venue and 18 October date later recorded in the account of the completed celebration. The anniversary marked five decades since Abeni’s first album, rather than a new recording release.
The digital collection remains accessible through the anniversary website, with photographs, a career timeline and links to her catalogue.
