Olayiwola Matthew
The Nigerian entertainment industry has lost one of its finest live performers, Akinloye Tofowomo, popularly known as Akiin Shuga.
He died on Thursday, October 30, 2025, in New Brunswick, Canada. He was 50.
His family, in a statement, described him as a “revered music icon, Grandmaster, and custodian of rhythm, culture, and the spirit of performance.”
Born on January 6, 1975, in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Akiin Shuga’s life was a story of courage and passion. Stricken by polio at the age of five, he rose above his physical limitations to become one of Nigeria’s most celebrated bandleaders and live-music entrepreneurs.
He founded the famous Shuga Band in 1998, starting from Pintos Bar in Ikeja, Lagos. What began as a small group later grew into a 14-man ensemble of instrumentalists and vocalists that became a fixture at weddings, corporate events, and state occasions. His company, Shuga Entertainment, became known for professionalism and excellence in live performance.
Akiin Shuga was also the Founder and President of the Association of Music Band Owners of Nigeria (AMBON), where he worked to improve welfare and standards in the live-music sector.
“Akiin was more than a performer; he was a reformer,” a close colleague, said. “He brought dignity to a profession that was often misunderstood. He made us see that a live band is not just an accessory for parties, but an important part of our cultural economy.”
Known for his attention to detail, Akiin Shuga often reminded his crew, “We don’t perform to impress; we perform to connect.”
Reke Ofano, the Band Leader of the Shuga Band, described him as a perfectionist with a big heart. “Shuga never accepted mediocrity. He pushed everyone to be better, but he also cared deeply. He knew everyone’s story and made us all feel like family,” he said.
Akiin Shuga studied Music Business at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA, before returning to Nigeria to modernise live performance. He introduced innovations such as brand collaborations, choreography, and digital sound engineering, raising the standard of live music in the country.
Beyond music, he was a strong advocate for people living with disabilities. As a polio survivor, he established the Shuga Limb Foundation to support persons with limb challenges. In 2018, he was appointed Rotary International District Polio Ambassador.
District Governor, Prince Henry Olubowale Akinyele, described him as “a man who carried his scars like medals.” He said, “Akiin Shuga used his music to inspire hope. Through his song I Can Walk, he gave polio survivors courage to dream again.”
Over the years, Shuga Band performed at major social events, state functions, and corporate galas across Nigeria. Despite fame and success, Akiin Shuga remained humble and spiritual. He was known to end every show with a prayer and a promise to “leave joy in the air.”
Tributes have continued to pour in from musicians, fans, and event professionals, who described him as “the architect of modern live-band culture” in Nigeria.
In a statement, his family thanked everyone for their prayers and condolences. “As we come to terms with this immeasurable loss, we ask for quiet reflection and the space to honour his life privately. Details of memorial arrangements will be announced later,” the statement said.
Akinloye Tofowomo is survived by his wife, children, siblings, and mother.
“He taught us that music is service to people, to God, and to joy itself,” Ofano said. “Even in death, he remains our Grandmaster.”
One of his own lyrics says, “Every rhythm tells a story.” His story, filled with courage, melody, and meaning, will live on in the hearts of those he inspired — and in every beat that celebrates the sound of live music in Nigeria.