Nigeria’s entertainment industry is mourning the loss of Akinloye Tofowomo, popularly known as Akiin Shuga is dead.
Akiin Shuga passed away on October 30, 2025, in New Brunswick, Canada, at the age of 50.
Born on January 6, 1975, in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Akiin Shuga overcame childhood polio to become one of Nigeria’s most celebrated live-band performers and music entrepreneurs.
He founded the iconic Shuga Band in 1998, transforming it from a small Ikeja bar ensemble into a 14-man powerhouse that graced major social, corporate, and state events across the country.
Akiin Shuga also served as President of the Association of Music Band Owners of Nigeria (AMBON) and was widely praised for his professionalism, innovation, and commitment to raising standards in live performance.
Beyond music, he was a polio survivor and disability advocate, establishing the Shuga Limb Foundation to support persons with limb challenges.
In 2018, he was appointed Rotary International District Polio Ambassador, using his platform to inspire hope and inclusion.
Tributes from colleagues and fans describe him as “a reformer” and “the architect of modern live-band culture in Nigeria.”
He is survived by his wife, children, siblings, and mother. His family has requested privacy as they plan memorial arrangements.