A Matter of Love, Not Tribe: Made Kuti Fires Back at Critic of His Inter-Tribal Marriage

In a powerful testament to the legacy of his iconic family, Afrobeat musician Made Kuti has fiercely defended his marriage to his wife, Inedoye Adanne Onyenso, an Igbo woman, against a tribalistic comment from an online critic. The incident, which unfolded on the social media platform X, has reignited conversations about ethnic prejudice in Nigeria and the importance of national unity.

The controversy began when an X user, identified as @AdemolaOgudu, made a derogatory comment, reportedly calling Made a “foolish Yoruba man” for marrying outside of his tribe. The comment, which reflects a deep-seated and divisive prejudice, quickly went viral, prompting a strong and measured response from the grandson of the late Fela Kuti.

In his rebuttal, Made Kuti did not hold back. He responded directly to the critic’s tribalistic comment, writing, “believing ethnic superiority/inferiority is justifiable is slave mentality.” He urged his critics to educate themselves with the “history and knowledge left” by Pan-Africanists and revolutionaries like his great-grandmother Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, his grandfather Fela Kuti, Kwame Nkrumah, and Thomas Sankara.

Made’s response is not just a personal defense; it is a powerful statement against the divisive rhetoric that often plagues Nigerian society. By invoking the names of Pan-Africanists, he situated his personal choice within a much larger context of continental unity and liberation. He pointed out that Africa’s true power lies in its unity, not in its division.

The public exchange highlights the ongoing struggle with tribalism in Nigeria, even among younger generations. For the Kuti family, however, the message of unity has always been central to their art and activism. Fela Kuti famously used his music to critique political corruption and social injustice, and his legacy continues through his sons and now his grandson.

Made Kuti’s marriage to Inedoye, which took place in November 2023, has been a source of joy for many, but as this incident shows, it has also been a target for those who hold onto outdated, ethnic-based prejudices. His decision to publicly address the issue, rather than ignore it, has been widely applauded by fans and commentators who believe that such bigotry must be confronted directly. The incident serves as a crucial reminder that while Nigeria’s diversity is a source of strength, it is a strength that must be actively protected from the forces of division and hate.