Nigeria’s renowned premium live music ensemble, Shuga Band, is charting a confident path into its post-founder era, unveiling a renewed organisational structure alongside the release of a special Valentine-themed mashup.
The highly sought-after band has rolled out a refined medley of Nigerian and international classic tunes to usher in the 2026 romantic season. The Valentine mashup, its first major release since the passing of founder Akiin Shuga, blends timeless love songs into a seamless musical experience tailored for lovers and discerning music tastemakers. The release goes live across all digital streaming platforms on February 1, 2026.
For Shuga Band, the new offering represents more than seasonal music—it is a bold statement of continuity and resilience, underscoring its commitment to preserving and expanding the legacy of its late founder.
In a move to strengthen governance and long-term strategy, the band’s management has also constituted a high-calibre board of trustees, providing fresh structure and strategic direction for this new chapter.
Despite the transition, Shuga Band continues to thrive, maintaining a strong booking calendar driven by its elite clientele. Celebrated for its mastery across genres, the band is admired for its flawless delivery of classical music, contemporary sounds, gospel and African traditional rhythms.
The ensemble recently recorded its third consecutive performance on Arise TV’s flagship programme, This Morning, during the special Christmas live edition. The outing earned a public endorsement from media mogul Prince Nduka Obaigbena, who pledged continued support for Akiin Shuga’s legacy by confirming Shuga Band’s presence at his media group’s major functions.
Building on the solid foundation laid by its founder, the band is consolidating its reputation for technical excellence, musical finesse, stagecraft and audience engagement.
Speaking on the transition, the band’s business manager, Jerry Odeh, said:
“Our late founder, Akiin Shuga, ran so that we could fly. He didn’t just build a band; he built a culture of excellence woven into the very DNA of Shuga Band. We will continue his legacy and make him proud, one gig at a time. With the support of a board comprising distinguished personalities, we now have an added backbone to navigate our post-founder phase.”
With renewed structure and creative momentum, Shuga Band is reaffirming its place as a benchmark for premium live music in Nigeria—proving that legacy, when well nurtured, only grows stronger with time.
