Omoyeni Anikulapo-Kuti, widely known as Yeni Kuti is the eldest daughter of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, is a British-Nigerian dancer, singer, entrepreneur, and manager born May 24, 1961, in England to the Ransome-Kuti family. As Fela Kuti’s first child with a British mother, she founded Felabration in 1998, co-manages the New Afrika Shrine, and promotes Afrobeat through performances, management, and media.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Omoyeni Anikulapo-Kuti |
| Date of birth | May 24, 1961 |
| Place of birth | England, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British-Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Partner | Theo Lawson (fiancé) |
| Children | None |
| Occupation | Dancer, Singer, Businesswoman |
| Net worth | $1 million |
Early Life and Education
Yeni relocated to Nigeria at age two, where she completed her primary and secondary schooling in Lagos. She later obtained a diploma in journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.
Raised in the activist tradition of her grandmother Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, her childhood included family challenges and periods in Abeokuta.
Career
Yeni started as a fashion designer before transitioning to music, joining Femi Kuti’s Positive Force in 1986 as a singer and dancer.
In 1998, she launched Felabration to commemorate Fela, and in 2000, she co-founded the New Afrika Shrine with Femi, where she serves as co-manager. She has featured in documentaries such as Finding Fela! and worked as a TV presenter at TVC.
Personal Life
Yeni was previously married to Femi Segun, but they divorced prior to his passing; she has no children. Since 2016, she has been engaged to her longtime partner Theo Lawson, with whom she plans to marry at age 75, maintaining a deliberate child-free relationship. Her siblings include Femi, Seun, and the late Sola Kuti.
Controversies
Yeni has faced few personal controversies, though she has spoken out on family disputes, recently criticizing Wizkid for intensifying tensions with her brother Seun Kuti over comparisons to Fela in 2026. She called for unity amid Grammy celebrations for Nigerian music.
Net Worth
Yeni Kuti’s net worth is estimated at $1 million, stemming from Shrine operations, Felabration events, media work, and performances.
Awards and Recognitions
She earned City People Movie Special Recognition Awards in 2014 and 2016, along with an Eloquent Impulse Foundation Award.
