Fuji music icon Adewale Ayuba recently shared the story of his unexpected journey to the United States and the new opportunities he found there.
In an interview with Teju Babyface, Ayuba explained how his three-month tour in 1995 turned into an unplanned exile due to the political instability under Sani Abacha’s regime.
Ayuba recounted: “I traveled to America in 1995 with my full band for a summer tour and other shows. After about three months, we returned to Nigeria. Before leaving, we recorded an album urging the government to release political detainees, including the late Moshood Abiola. We released this album just as we left Nigeria.
“Shortly after, I got a call from Abuja informing me that Sani Abacha was looking for me. They advised me to stay in America for my safety. So, I stayed there until Abacha died in 1998. Those three years in America were by the grace of God. While there, I realized I had a lot of free time during the weekdays, so I decided to enroll in school. That’s where I met my wife.
“I got involved in many activities and started building a new foundation in America, which wasn’t easy. Eventually, I completed my documentation and became an American citizen. America has become a significant part of my life.”
Despite the challenges, Ayuba made the most of his time in the U.S., pursuing education and eventually becoming an American citizen. He also met his wife and managed his band while performing at various shows.
He returned to Nigeria after Abacha’s death to perform at the Benson and Hedges Concert. While in America, he signed deals, managed his band, and developed a passion for education, envisioning a future as a lecturer or teacher. Ayuba shared his academic aspirations, stating his goal of obtaining a Ph.D. and transitioning from his Fuji music career to education.
After winning a lottery in 1998, Ayuba traveled to Nigeria to collect his prize, planning to return to the U.S. and leave his singing career behind. However, an unexpected opportunity arose when Benson and Hedges invited him to perform at a Lagos concert, highlighting the enthusiasm of his fans.
Ayuba also addressed rumors about him working at a gas station in America and being arrested. He said he couldn’t confirm or deny these speculations to avoid revealing his location to Abacha’s regime.
