Akinloye Tofowomo, popularly known as Akiin Shuga, was a legendary Nigerian singer, songwriter, and businessman born on January 6, 1975, in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State.
He was best known as the founder and lead singer of the Shuga Band, formed in 1998, which grew from a three-piece band to a fourteen-piece live band. Akiin Shuga was also the founder of the Shuga Limb Foundation, which supports people suffering from polio.
He contracted polio at the age of five but overcame the physical challenge with strong encouragement from his father, who was a federal high court justice. Akiin Shuga further advanced his career by studying music business at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA.
He revolutionized the live music scene in Nigeria by introducing innovations such as brand collaborations, choreography, and digital sound engineering.
Akiin Shuga was appointed Rotary International District Polio Ambassador in 2018 and was the president of the Association of Music Band Owners of Nigeria (AMBON), advocating for better welfare and standards in the live music sector.
Some of his notable songs include “I Can Walk,” “My Lady,” and “You Are Married Today.” He received various awards, including the CityPeople Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
He was married to Maria Tofowomo and had children. Akiin Shuga passed away on October 30, 2025, at the age of 50 in New Brunswick, Canada.
His family described him as a “revered music icon, grandmaster, and custodian of rhythm, culture, and the spirit of performance” and highlighted his impact as more than a musician—a true inspiration and institution in Nigerian music culture.
He is survived by his wife, children, siblings, and mother.
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