PROFILE: Fela Sowande: Father of Nigerian Classical Music

 By Victor Olubiye

Born on May 29, 1905, in Abeokuta, Olufela Obafunmilayo Sowande grew into one of the most influential African composers of the 20th century. Trained in both African and European musical traditions, Sowande masterfully fused Yoruba folk melodies, Christian hymns, and Western classical music into rich, original compositions that earned him international acclaim.

Educated at the University of London, Sowande became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and worked as an organist in several London churches. He also performed as a jazz musician to support himself during school, playing with notable bands in the UK during the 1930s.

In 1944, he composed his most recognized piece, the African Suite for string orchestra, broadcast by the BBC. It showcased African themes in a Western orchestral setting, helping to define a new genre known as African art music. Other major works include Folk Symphony (1960), Six Sketches, and various pieces for organ, like Yoruba Lament and Obangiji.

Sowande returned to Nigeria in the 1950s and later worked with the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and served as a professor in institutions across Nigeria and the United States—including the University of Ibadan, Howard University, and the University of Pittsburgh.

He was honored with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his contributions to music and culture.

Fela Sowande passed away on March 13, 1987, in Ravenna, Ohio, USA, but his legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians who bridge African tradition with global musical expression