Burna Boy Honors Grandfather Pa Benson Idonije Ahead of 90th Birthday
Burna Boy and his family honor his maternal grandfather, Pa Benson Idonije, ahead of his birthday on June 13th.
By Godwin Adejor ·
In a heartfelt display of family legacy and musical heritage, Grammy-winning Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy joined family, friends, and music industry icons in Lagos to celebrate the impending 90th birthday of his maternal grandfather, Pa Benson Idonije. The vibrant gathering, held ahead of the milestone date on June 13, 2026, highlighted the deep bond between generations and the enduring influence of one of Nigeria’s pioneering music figures.
Pa Benson Idonije, born on June 13, 1936, in Otuo, Owan East, Edo State, is a legendary broadcaster, music critic, and cultural icon. He gained prominence as the first band manager for Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, managing his early band Koola Lobitos. Idonije was also instrumental in the early days of Radio Nigeria 2 (now Metro FM), helping shape the nation’s music broadcasting landscape and championing jazz, highlife, and indigenous sounds.
His contributions extend beyond management and broadcasting. Idonije is a respected author, notably of Dis Fela Sef, a detailed memoir offering unique insights into Fela’s life and the Afrobeat movement. Over the decades, he has remained a bridge between Nigeria’s rich musical past and its global present.
Burna Boy (born Damini Ogulu), whose mother Bose Ogulu is Idonije’s daughter, delivered an emotional eulogy during the celebration. Visibly moved, the “African Giant” expressed profound gratitude to his grandfather.
“I’m forever indebted to him,” Burna Boy said, according to reports from the event. He spoke of the profound impact Idonije has had on his life and career, crediting him as a foundational influence. “This is not an ordinary man… I’m forever indebted to him and grateful to him.” The singer raised a toast, urging guests to honor “the greatest man in the world, my hero, my granddad.”
The event featured a glamorous red-carpet atmosphere with chandeliers, champagne, and a towering birthday cake that Burna Boy cut alongside his grandfather. Family members, including Burna Boy’s parents Bose and Samuel Ogulu, were present, alongside artists and admirers. Rapper Phyno was among those sharing laughs and moments with the family.
This celebration echoes past tributes, such as Burna Boy’s performances at his grandfather’s 80th and 85th birthday events, where he performed and paid homage to the musical roots that shaped him. Idonije’s influence is often cited as a key thread connecting Fela’s Afrobeat legacy to Burna Boy’s modern global sound.
The 90th birthday festivities included tributes from the Lagos International Jazz Festival, which earlier organized a “Jams & Vibes Session” as a prelude, recognizing Idonije’s role in nurturing talent and documenting Nigerian music history.
As Pa Idonije approaches this remarkable milestone, the gathering served as more than a birthday party—it was a celebration of continuity. From managing Fela to inspiring one of Africa’s biggest global exports in Burna Boy, Idonije embodies the power of cultural stewardship and familial bonds.
Fans and well-wishers across Nigeria and the diaspora have flooded social media with messages of admiration, wishing the music patriarch many more years of health and wisdom. In Burna Boy’s words, the celebration was a way of giving back to the man who helped lay the foundation for so much of what the family—and Nigerian music—enjoys today.