“Some Say Muslims Must Marry Many Wives, But I Never Saw That in the Quran” — Fuji Star Adewale Ayuba Opens Up on Faith and Marriage

For decades, Adewale Ayuba has remained one of Nigeria’s most respected Fuji musicians. Known for his refined sound and calm personality, the veteran artiste recently sat down with PUNCH to address swirling rumours about his marriage, his conversion to Christianity, and his mission to take Fuji music to the global stage.

In an era dominated by social media noise, fake news, and changing values, Ayuba’s story stands out as one rooted in faith, discipline, and purpose.

Debunking the Divorce Rumours

When asked about viral rumours alleging that he divorced his wife after discovering some of his children weren’t his, Ayuba dismissed the claim outright.

“That’s fake. It’s not from PUNCH, Channels TV, or any credible source,” he said firmly.

According to him, the false story was just another attempt by online content creators to chase clout and make money. The Fuji star revealed that his family found the situation amusing.

“We all laughed. I have six children. Everyone knows Ayuba. It’s a lie. Let sleeping dogs lie.”

Ayuba explained that he and his lawyers have agreed not to discuss the issue publicly again, choosing instead to focus on positivity and faith.

Nigeria at 65: ‘Things Are Changing’

Reflecting on the country’s 65th Independence anniversary, Ayuba expressed cautious optimism about Nigeria’s progress.

He acknowledged that while the economy remains tough, there are visible efforts by the current government to stabilize things.

“Let’s give God the glory, things have started changing. This government is trying. I believe Nigeria will be better,” he said.

Although he has never been a political singer, Ayuba believes music and current affairs are intertwined and that artists have a moral responsibility to comment on societal issues.

From Abacha’s Era to America: The Story Behind His Relocation

Ayuba’s decision to stay in the United States during the 1990s was not out of luxury or leisure. He recounted that after releasing a politically charged song urging General Sani Abacha to release MKO Abiola, he received a call warning him that authorities were after him.

“That’s why I stayed back in the US. I didn’t relocate; it was a crisis,” he explained.

During his time abroad, Ayuba furthered his education, which he credits for shaping his worldview and approach to music. He later returned to Nigeria in 1998 — the same week Abacha died.

The Secret Behind His 30-Year Marriage

Ayuba, who has been married for over three decades, attributes the longevity of his marriage to faith and God’s design for family.

“It’s a taboo for a man not to have a woman in his home,” he stated. “Blessings come through family — through your wife and children.”

He believes no man should marry more than one wife, stressing that God ordained marriage to be between one man and one woman.

“God didn’t create Adam and many Eves,” he added, in a statement that has since sparked online conversations about polygamy in Nigerian culture.

For Ayuba, marriage is more than companionship — it’s the foundation of blessings and purpose.

Education and Early Discipline

The Fuji icon credits education as one of the most vital tools that guided his career.

He revealed that his parents made education a strict condition for allowing him to pursue music.

“They told me, ‘If you don’t go to school, no music for you.’ We agreed on certain things — no smoking, no drinking, and only one wife.”

Ayuba maintained those principles throughout his journey, noting that his background in education and discipline helped him navigate fame without losing focus.

When He Almost Quit Music

Surprisingly, Ayuba once considered leaving music entirely. In 1989, after releasing several albums that didn’t resonate with younger or educated listeners, he felt discouraged.

But a visit from Sony Music Nigeria changed everything. The company convinced him that his sound had international potential and paired him with a producer who helped him create Bubble — the groundbreaking album that introduced English lyrics into Fuji and bridged the gap between tradition and modernity.

“Before Bubble, I had never sung in English. That album changed everything,” he recalled.

The success of Bubble propelled Ayuba to global recognition and cemented his place as a Fuji innovator.

Promoting Unity in Fuji Music

Despite his success, Ayuba remains humble and committed to collaboration.

“I’m close to all Fuji artistes,” he said. “But we need to work together more, especially now that we’re taking Fuji to the digital world.”

He dreams of modernising Fuji into a genre that Nigeria can proudly export — just as Bob Marley did with reggae.

“What Bob Marley did for reggae, I want to do for Fuji,” Ayuba declared.

He also praised young artistes like Asake and Adekunle Gold, who have incorporated Fuji elements into Afrobeats hits, helping to revive the genre globally.

His Journey from Islam to Christianity

Ayuba’s conversion from Islam to Christianity remains one of the most personal and controversial chapters of his life.

He clarified that his decision was purely spiritual and not influenced by any external pressure.

“When I was a Muslim, I stayed with my wife. Some say Muslims must marry many wives, but I never saw that in the Quran,” he said.

He revealed that his struggle with not understanding Arabic and relying on others to pray for him led him to seek a personal connection with God.

“When I read that Jesus died for me, that was enough. Nobody dies for another person easily,” he said.

Still, Ayuba prefers to keep his faith private, fearing that people might twist his words for controversy.

On Social Media, Rumours, and Staying Grounded

Ayuba acknowledges that social media has revolutionised the music industry by making music distribution and monetisation easier. However, he also warns about the dangers of misinformation.

“Many Nigerians focus on negative news. They ignore good stories but spread rumours quickly,” he observed.

When false stories about him surfaced, he responded not with anger but with prayer.

“My wife and I held hands and prayed together. Only God can fight that kind of battle,” he said.

His faith-driven response reflects his belief that success and peace come from God, not from public validation.

Fuji’s Global Future

Ayuba’s current goal is clear: to take Fuji to the global stage. His recent project, Koloba Koloba, reintroduces the traditional Fuji sound with modern production. He’s also working on a new album aimed at presenting Fuji as Nigeria’s next global export.

He draws inspiration from the younger generation of Nigerian artistes dominating the world stage — from Burna Boy to Rema and Asake.

“These young artistes are doing incredible things globally. They’re united and using technology wisely,” he said.

For Ayuba, this is the right time to push Fuji beyond Nigeria’s borders, merging heritage with innovation.

FAQs About Adewale Ayuba and Fuji Music

1. Who is Adewale Ayuba?
Adewale Ayuba, popularly known as Mr. Johnson, is a veteran Nigerian Fuji musician known for modernising Fuji music through his global hit album Bubble.

2. Why did Adewale Ayuba convert to Christianity?
Ayuba said his conversion was a personal spiritual decision. He wanted a direct relationship with God and found meaning in the message of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.

3. What is Adewale Ayuba’s view on marriage and polygamy?
He believes marriage should be between one man and one woman, insisting that God didn’t create “Adam and many Eves.” He attributes his success to maintaining a single, faithful marriage.

4. How is Fuji music evolving in Nigeria today?
Fuji is gaining renewed attention as younger artistes like Asake and Adekunle Gold blend its traditional sounds with Afrobeats, helping it reach global audiences.

5. What inspired Ayuba’s latest album?
His latest work is inspired by the success of younger Nigerian musicians on the international scene and his desire to make Fuji music globally recognised.