Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, daughter of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has reacted to the ongoing controversy surrounding Wizkid’s statement that he is “bigger than Fela,” urging Nigerians to embrace unity instead of division.
Speaking on TVC Entertainment’s Your View, Yeni addressed the viral Wizkid–Seun Kuti debate, making it clear that she does not want the issue to drag on further, especially at a time when Fela’s legacy is being globally celebrated.
Yeni revealed that she shares a personal history with Wizkid, describing him as a good friend long before he became a global superstar.
According to her, she knew Wizkid during Felabration, when he performed as a backup singer, stressing that there was no personal animosity between them before the online drama.
Calling for calm, Yeni warned that dragging Fela’s name into personal disputes harms more than just his family.
“Let’s mend fences, we’re one people. We’re just about to celebrate our icon at the Grammy and we’re all doing all this. It’s not Fela family you’re dirtying, it’s Nigeria,” she said.
She questioned why Nigerians continue to fight over Fela’s legacy decades after his death, drawing a comparison with how other global icons are honoured.
“Did you see Bob Marley’s people do that? They don’t do that. He has done his own and has gone,” she added.
Yeni described the constant references to her late father as proof of his enduring relevance, noting that 27 years after his death, Fela remains a global talking point.
“Fela has been there 27 years and you’re still mentioning his name, that’s just answer to his greatness. Let’s just respect that,” she said.
She further urged living artistes to focus on their own battles rather than dragging the dead into controversies.
“Fight yourselves, you that you’re alive. When you’re not walking dead, leave the man that has done his own and gone,” she stated.
While calling for peace, Yeni clarified that her comments should not be misinterpreted as criticism of her brother, Seun Kuti.
She explained that Seun was simply defending their father against what she described as a tiring and repetitive narrative.
“I don’t want this to be misconstrued that Seun Kuti wasn’t taking up a good fight in defence of Fela, our father. He was defending the tiring rhetoric about Fela,” she said.
Yeni concluded by stressing that Fela’s continued relevance is something many can only aspire to.
“This man is still on the lips of everyone 27 years after passing. We all pray to be this relevant 27 years after leaving the earthly world.”
Her comments have since sparked widespread reactions online, with many praising her calm, unifying tone amid the heated debate.