Benson Idonije, widely regarded as Nigeria’s most revered music critic, is a renowned broadcaster, writer, and critic. Born on June 13, 1936, in Otua, Owan East local government area of Edo State, Nigeria, Idonije has had a storied career in music and broadcasting.
Known as the first band manager of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Idonije was a pioneering team member of Radio Nigeria 2 (now Metro FM), founded in 1977. He is also the grandfather of Nigerian reggae-dancehall artist Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, whose music often reflects Fela’s influence.
Idonije began his career in 1953, writing several jazz-related columns for various newspapers. In 1957, he joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria) as an Engineering Assistant. By 1960, he had moved into mainstream broadcasting, presenting popular on-air programs such as The Big Beat and Stereo Jazz Club.
In 1963, Idonije met Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, a legendary Afrobeat pioneer, marking a significant moment in his career. Recalling their meeting in an interview with Yinka Olatubosun of This Day Live, Idonije said, “I was presenting a jazz programme called ‘NBC Jazz Club.’ Fela had listened to my program on the radio for a month. Then, one Thursday night, he drove down to the broadcasting house in Ikoyi to see who was behind the show. He came to the studio and introduced himself. That was how we became friends. He admired my knowledge of jazz and I admired his musicianship. He was a fine trumpeter. From that night, we bonded.”
Together, they nurtured the idea of a quintet and formed the band Koola Lobitos, initially playing jazz before switching back to highlife on Fela’s mother’s advice. Idonije managed the band until 1969, continuing his advisory role until the early 1970s. He explained, “My management work with him was on the basis of friendship and not exactly a business deal. I had to advise him, show him the rope, and generally guide him because he was easily provoked. I worked with him from 1963 till 1974. But I didn’t quit. He just didn’t need a manager of my type anymore. He needed managers abroad that would link him into big shows. We were still friends till he died.”
Benson Idonije attended Holy Trinity Grammar School, Sabongida Ora, for his secondary education and then Yaba College of Technology, where he studied communications engineering. In 2012, he received the Lifetime Award for Journalism Excellence from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.
Credit: Old Naija