Numerous Nigerian artists have found meaningful ways to pay homage to their departed parents, transforming personal grief into enduring celebrations of love, heritage, and remembrance.
In Nigeria’s entertainment scene, the line between private sorrow and public persona often merges, especially when it involves the loss of a parent. For many celebrities, these moments of mourning evolve into public tributes that preserve their parents’ legacies.
Given the cultural importance placed on honoring one’s parents, several Nigerian musicians have chosen to commemorate their late parents through artistic creations, charitable initiatives, and impactful social contributions. These acts of remembrance serve as powerful testaments to respect, affection, and the continuation of family values.
Over time, a number of these artists have gone beyond emotional expressions, ensuring their parents’ names endure through creative works, advocacy, and concrete institutions.
Davido: Crafting a lasting heritage from memory
Afrobeats icon David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has kept the spirit of his late mother, Dr. Veronica Imade Adeleke, alive as a central inspiration in both his personal life and career. Her passing in 2003 left a profound impact that fueled his commitment to humanitarian causes and philanthropy.
Davido’s tributes to his mother reflect her lifelong passion for education and kindness. At Adeleke University in Osun State, the Dr. Veronica Imade Adeleke Faculty of Business and Social Sciences stands as a testament to her enduring influence within Nigeria’s academic landscape.
On October 19, 2025, Davido further honored her legacy by dedicating a newly constructed female dormitory at Clifford University, Abia State, named the Veronica Imade Adeleke Female Hostel. During the dedication, he emphasized that this gesture embodied his mother’s conviction that “education and empathy have the power to transform lives.”
Beyond educational infrastructure, his philanthropic organization, The David Adeleke Foundation (DAF), launched in 2022, channels his mother’s spirit of generosity. The foundation has donated hundreds of millions of naira to orphanages nationwide, positively impacting thousands of vulnerable children and exemplifying how personal loss can inspire widespread social change.
Wizkid: Honoring the Morayo spirit
Following the passing of his mother, Jane Dolapo Morayo Balogun, in August 2023, global music sensation Wizkid chose to immortalize her through his art. His 2024 album, Morayo, named after her middle name, stands as his most intimate musical tribute to date.
This album encapsulates the profound influence, love, and guidance his mother provided, blending sorrow with appreciation in a collection that deeply resonated with listeners. In her memory, Wizkid also pledged ₦100 million to support children during the Christmas season, reflecting her nurturing nature. This tribute builds on earlier works like Mummy Mi from his 2014 Ayo album, illustrating a heartfelt and evolving homage.
Tiwa Savage: A tribute to the resilience of Celia
Tiwa Savage‘s 2020 album, Celia, remains one of the most poignant artistic dedications in contemporary Afrobeats. Named after her mother, Cecilia Savage, the album celebrates strength and womanhood-qualities Tiwa attributes to her mother’s character.
Tiwa describes Celia as a portrayal of the “empowered, modern African woman,” with her mother serving as the embodiment of this ideal. In a heartfelt gesture, Cecilia Savage appeared in the album’s promotional video, underscoring the emotional connection behind the project.
The album features Celia’s Song, a track inspired by her mother’s prayers and encouragement during challenging moments. With its gospel influences and sincere emotion, the song stands as a touching tribute to the faith and fortitude passed from mother to daughter.
Much like Wizkid’s Morayo, Tiwa Savage’s Celia demonstrates how music can become a timeless emotional monument, preserving a parent’s legacy through melody and narrative rather than physical memorials.
Olamide: The heartfelt simplicity of Mama Mi
For rapper Olamide, honoring his late mother took the form of a deeply personal song. His 2015 track Mama Mi, from the album Eyan Mayweather, remains one of his most sincere and emotional tributes, celebrating his mother’s sacrifices and guidance.
Unlike grand philanthropic gestures, Olamide’s tribute is intimate and relatable, using heartfelt lyrics to connect with fans who have experienced similar losses. The song’s raw vulnerability and warmth make it a standout maternal homage within Nigerian hip-hop.
Skales: A son’s homage in Martina’s Son
Rapper and vocalist Skales (Raoul John Njeng-Njeng) chose a deeply personal path to honor his late mother, Martina, who passed away on October 25, 2022. His 2025 album, Martina’s Son, released on September 12, 2025, serves as a heartfelt memorial.
This 16-track album, which Skales describes as his most intimate project, narrates his mother’s legacy and his own journey of healing following her death. The album acts as both a therapeutic outlet and a tribute, a labor of love spanning two years that immortalizes Martina’s memory through music, storytelling, and emotional honesty.
By channeling his grief into art, Skales joins a distinguished group of Nigerian musicians who have transformed their sorrow into lasting tributes to their parents’ lives and sacrifices.
In summary, from Davido’s educational legacies and Wizkid’s soulful albums to Tiwa Savage’s empowering celebrations and Skales’ candid storytelling, Nigerian artists continue to demonstrate that success and deep family devotion can harmoniously coexist.
Through their music, charitable efforts, and legacy projects, these musicians have ensured their late parents are remembered not only in words but as living symbols of love, purpose, and enduring influence, securing their names for generations to come.
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