Nigerian Music in the 1960s

On October 1, 1960, as the Union Jack was lowered and the Nigerian flag raised, Victor Olaiya provided the music at the official state celebration — cementing Highlife as Nigeria's de facto national sound.

Named a Member of the British Empire for cultural contributions — the first Nigerian musician to achieve formal international recognition.

A young Sunday Adeniyi assembled his backing band in Lagos, beginning a career that would carry Jùjú music from Nigerian nightclubs to concert halls across Europe and North America.