Veteran Nigerian singer Salawa Abeni has celebrated her 65th birthday, marking another milestone in a career that has spanned several decades in the entertainment industry.
The renowned Waka music star marked the occasion on Tuesday, May 5, with family members, children, and close associates.
Born on May 5, 1961, in Ogun State, Salawa Abeni rose to prominence from modest beginnings to become one of the most influential female voices in Nigerian indigenous music.
She released her debut project in 1976 under Leader Records in honour of former Nigerian Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed.
The album went on to achieve historic success, becoming the first record by a female Yoruba singer to sell more than one million copies in Nigeria.
Over the years, Salawa Abeni built a reputation as a trailblazer in Waka music, earning recognition for thriving in a genre and industry largely dominated by men at the time.
Her music, which she began pursuing at a young age, resonated with audiences across generations and helped shape the landscape of indigenous Yoruba entertainment.
Beyond her musical accomplishments, the veteran entertainer has also appeared in Nollywood productions, further cementing her status as a cultural icon in Nigeria’s creative industry.
Widely regarded as the “Queen of Waka Music,” Salawa Abeni remains one of the enduring figures in Nigerian music history.
