Police veteran AskariFuji set for full-time music career after 35 years of service

2026-03-29 - 01:04

By Ayo Onikoyi A senior officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Ishola Adeyinka, popularly known as AskariFuji 1, is set to retire after 35 years of service and transition fully into a career in Fuji music. Adeyinka, who holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), will formally retire on April 11, 2026, bringing to a close a policing career that began with his enlistment at the Police College in Ikeja on April 1, 1991. His retirement marks not only the end of a long-standing career in law enforcement but also the beginning of a new chapter in the entertainment industry, where he has built a parallel identity as a Fuji performer over the years. Dual Career Path Throughout his time in the police force, Adeyinka maintained an active presence in the music scene under the stage name AskariFuji 1. His ability to balance both professions has distinguished him within Nigeria’s cultural space. He is widely recognized as one of the first serving police officers to actively perform Fuji music, a genre deeply rooted in Yoruba cultural expression. In addition, he holds the traditional title of Mogaji in Ibadan, further placing him at a unique intersection of cultural leadership and entertainment. Public Announcement The officer formally announced his intention to pursue music full-time during a live performance at The City Pulse Lounge in Ikeja on March 20, 2026. The event, titled the “Itunu-Awe Dance Carnival,” served as both a musical outing and a platform to unveil his post-retirement plans. Attendees, including cultural figures and stakeholders within the Fuji music community, witnessed what many described as a symbolic moment marking the transition from public service to full-time artistry. Retirement Ceremony Adeyinka’s retirement ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Police College, Ikeja, where colleagues and associates are expected to celebrate his decades of service. He is also billed to perform at the event, blending his outgoing and incoming careers in a single occasion. Cultural Significance His move into full-time music highlights a rare career shift within a highly structured institution such as the police force. Observers say his background could influence his artistic direction, potentially introducing themes shaped by discipline, public service, and lived experience. For the Fuji genre, his transition represents an expansion of its narrative base, as artists from unconventional backgrounds continue to shape its evolution. Adeyinka’s journey underscores a broader theme of reinvention, demonstrating that career transitions remain possible even after decades in public service.