Nigeria has lost one of its musical giants as Ahuja Bello, the veteran Juju singer, guitarist, and band leader who rose to prominence in the 1970s, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2025, just a day after marking his 83rd birthday. His son, Adetunji Bello, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement that has since sparked tributes across the music industry.
Born Ismaila Dele Bello on August 24, 1942, in Iseyin, Oyo State, Ahuja Bello was not destined for obscurity. Before taking the stage full-time, he worked as an electronics technician, but his love for music burned too brightly to ignore. In 1976, he founded Ahuja Bello and His Golden Eagles Band, a group that quickly became a household name in Juju music, rivaling contemporaries like King Sunny Ade and Chief Ebenezer Obey.
His hits such as Awa ti Danfo and Ariya ti de became anthems of celebration across Nigeria, played at weddings, festivals, and social gatherings. Fans adored his vibrant stage presence, his mastery of the guitar, and his ability to blend Yoruba rhythms with modern instrumentation. By the late 1970s, his fame had spread beyond Nigeria’s borders.
In 1979, Bello traveled to London to record the album Ahuja in London, a milestone that not only introduced his music to international audiences but also brought him into contact with global icons, including reggae legend Bob Marley. The encounter cemented his belief in the universality of African music and its power to transcend borders.
Tragedy struck on July 24, 1982, when Bello was involved in a devastating accident just weeks shy of his 40th birthday. The incident disrupted his career at its peak, forcing him into relative silence in an era when Juju music was exploding globally. Yet, his earlier contributions ensured his place among the immortals of Nigerian music.
Tributes have since poured in from fans, musicians, and cultural institutions. Many remember him as a pioneer who gave Juju music its celebratory sparkle, helping define a genre that continues to influence Afrobeats and contemporary Nigerian sounds. Cultural critics say his death marks the end of an era but also a reminder of how Juju legends paved the road for today’s stars.
Though his voice has gone quiet, Ahuja Bello’s music remains alive in Nigeria’s soundscape — a legacy of joy, rhythm, and resilience. From Iseyin to Lagos, from London to the global stage, he leaves behind not just songs, but stories that will outlive generations.
