Afrobeat legend Baba Ani takes the spotlight at ‘The Forum by Ojez’

By Ben Efe 24.9.2025
One of Nigeria’s unsung Afrobeat music pioneers and legend, Lekan Tajudeen Animashaun a.k.a. ‘Baba Ani,’ will be live at the September edition of ‘The Forum by Ojez’ to speak of his lifelong and outstanding experience in the genre.
Baba Ani and late Fela Anikulapo Kuti were musical Siamese twins who were inseparable as the Afrobeat genre evolved from a near rough-shood highlife blend in the 1960s to a more defined Afro, funk and jazzy beat in the 1980s and beyond.
At 89, Baba Ani is still blowing his saxophone and contributing to music and on Sunday September 28 at the Ojez Sports Lounge National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, Baba Ani will let out a little bit more about himself at The Forum, which has played host to several celebrities and legends.
“We are more than happy to have Baba Ani a music legend by all standards,” stated Mr. Effiong Nyong one of the organisers of The Forum by Ojez.
“His music exploits and contributions to the growth of the Afrobeat genre cannot be ignored and as we put him on the spotlight, we want Nigerians young and old to celebrate this musical icon.”
In 1965 Baba Ani joined forces with the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti to form the Koola Lobitos, which later transformed to the Egypt 80 band with Baba Ani as leader. He held the band together after the death of Fela in 1997 and he is still present in the band even as Seun Kuti remains the frontman.