My 1st Memory Of Dad Was Seeing Him In Prison, He Was Locked Up From 84 To 86, I Was Born In 83—Kuti

Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has recounted one of his earliest childhood memories of his late father, legendary Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, revealing that his first vivid recollection of him was visiting him in prison.

Seun disclosed that Fela was incarcerated between 1984 and 1986, a period that coincided with the early years of his childhood. Born in 1983, the singer said he was still very young when he visited his father behind bars but could clearly remember not wanting to leave him.

He shared the experience during an interview on The Truth Hurts Show on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, while discussing his childhood, his father’s political struggles and the experiences that shaped his early life.

According to Seun, the prison visit became one of the first memories he could vividly recall about his relationship with Fela. Although he was too young to understand the circumstances surrounding his father’s incarceration, he remembered the emotional difficulty of having to leave after spending time with him.

Recounting the experience, the singer explained that he wanted to remain with his father rather than return home after the visit.

In his words, “Yeah, that’s like my first vivid memory of my dad, because he was locked up from ’84 until ’86, and I was born in ’83. So I went to see him in prison one time, and I didn’t want to leave, you know.”

His account offers a personal perspective on how Fela’s repeated confrontations with Nigerian authorities affected his family, particularly his children, who experienced the consequences of his political activism from an early age.

Fela was widely known for his outspoken criticism of successive Nigerian governments, using his music and public appearances to challenge corruption, military rule and social injustice. His activism frequently brought him into conflict with the authorities, resulting in arrests, court cases and periods of detention.

The 1984 imprisonment mentioned by Seun occurred during the military administration of General Muhammadu Buhari. Fela was arrested and convicted on charges relating to the illegal export of foreign currency. His detention attracted criticism from supporters and human rights advocates, who viewed the case against him as politically motivated.

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