LagosMove

By Sylvia Johnson, LagosMove Senior Editor · Research updated 13 November 2026

The New Afrika Shrine is one of Lagos’s best-known live-music and cultural venues. Located in Agidingbi, Ikeja, it carries forward the musical and political legacy of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The venue is closely associated with his family and with performances by musicians including Femi and Seun Kuti.

If you are planning a visit, the practical questions come first: where exactly is the Shrine, does your event require an entry fee, who is performing, and how will you get home afterwards? This guide answers those questions using the venue’s published legacy information, the official Felabration website and current map listings. It separates established background from details that can change from one event to another.

New Afrika Shrine Lagos: Quick Visitor Information

Address note: Current Google Maps and Waze listings identify the venue at 1 NERDC Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja. Older online guides may give a different location. Use the map pin and confirm the drop-off point with your driver.

Where Is New Afrika Shrine in Lagos?

New Afrika Shrine is at 1 NERDC Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos. Agidingbi is on the mainland, within the wider Ikeja area. The full street address is more useful for navigation than entering only “Ikeja” or “Alausa” into a ride-hailing app.

Open the New Afrika Shrine Google Maps listing before leaving. Waze also lists the venue at 1 NERDC Road, Agidingbi. If your driver receives a different pin, compare the destination name and address before starting the trip.

Traffic can change the journey considerably, especially during weekday rush hours, heavy rain and major events. Allow extra time if you have a ticket or want to arrive before a performance begins.

What Is the New Afrika Shrine? History and Cultural Significance

The New Afrika Shrine is more than a conventional nightclub. It is a live-music venue connected to the history of Fela Kuti, whose Afrobeat music combined complex rhythms with outspoken commentary on Nigerian politics, inequality and social life.

Fela’s original Afrika Shrine became an important performance space in Lagos. In 1977, soldiers raided the Kalakuta Republic, the communal home associated with Fela and his family. The raid and its aftermath became a defining part of Fela’s history and of the political context behind his music.

Fela died in 1997. His family later established the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja as a new venue to continue the musical and cultural tradition associated with the original Shrine. The official Fela Kuti legacy page about the New Afrika Shrine explains why the family built a new venue and describes its role as a place for performances and visitors.

That history gives the Shrine a significance beyond a night out. Visitors encounter a living music venue connected to a major chapter of Nigerian popular culture, rather than a museum with a fixed exhibition route.

Who Performs at New Afrika Shrine?

The Shrine is closely associated with the Kuti family’s continuation of Fela’s musical legacy. Femi Kuti performs with his band, Positive Force, while Seun Kuti leads Egypt 80, the band associated with his father. Other musicians and guest performers may appear as part of individual programmes.

The Fela Kuti legacy page describes a long-running pattern in which Femi performs on Thursdays and Sundays, Seun appears on the last Saturday of the month when he is not touring, and Fridays feature a popular disco night. Treat those details as a historical or customary pattern, not a confirmed calendar for the date you want to visit. Tours, special events and programme changes can affect the schedule.

Before setting out, confirm:

• Whether the Shrine has an event on your chosen date.
• Which artist, band or programme is scheduled.
• The advertised door-opening time and performance start time.
• Whether the event requires registration, a ticket or a separate admission payment.
• Any age, photography or event-specific entry conditions.

Do not make a cross-city journey based only on an old weekly schedule copied into a directory. Check the latest announcement from the venue or event organiser.

New Afrika Shrine Entry Fee: Is It Free?

The official Fela Kuti legacy page states that there is no entrance fee for most events at the New Afrika Shrine. It also says that when an entrance fee is charged, it has generally been a modest amount. This is useful background about the venue’s usual approach, but it is not a live price list for every show.

Admission can depend on the performer, festival programme, event organiser and date. For that reason, LagosMove is not presenting an old naira amount as a guaranteed current fee. Confirm the price for your specific event before travelling, and ask whether the amount covers general entry only or includes reserved seating or a table.

Plan for transport and personal spending separately. Food, drinks, parking arrangements and ride-hailing costs are not necessarily included in an event ticket. Pay only through the venue or the authorised seller named in the event announcement. Be cautious of unsolicited messages asking you to transfer money to a personal account.

Opening Hours and Best Time to Visit

The official Fela Kuti legacy page describes the Shrine’s doors as open 24 hours a day. That statement should not be confused with a guarantee that a live band, food service or every visitor facility is operating continuously. The performance programme is the more important detail if you are visiting to see a particular artist.

For a concert, use the event announcement to confirm the date, doors-open time and expected performance start. If you want to see the venue outside a major event, contact the venue or check its current official channels before making a daytime trip. Online directory hours can describe general access and may not reflect the programme for a particular day.

What to Expect During a Visit

The New Afrika Shrine is a performance-led venue. Its appeal is the music, the crowd and its connection to Fela’s cultural legacy. On a live-show night, expect amplified sound and an energetic atmosphere. The length and character of the evening depend on the programme.

A few practical preparations can make the visit easier:

• Check the programme first. Confirm the event and performers for your date.
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Choose something suitable for a lively music venue and potentially extended standing.
• Carry a payment backup. Do not assume every vendor or payment point accepts cards.
• Keep valuables secure. Carry only what you need and keep your phone and bag close.
• Be considerate when recording. Ask before filming people at close range and seek permission for professional or commercial filming.
• Plan your return trip. Decide how you will get home before the performance ends.

How to Get to New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja

From Murtala Muhammed International Airport

The Shrine is in Ikeja, the same broad part of Lagos as Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Your journey will depend on the terminal, pickup arrangements and traffic at the time. Confirm your airport pickup point and destination pin before getting into a car. For arrival planning, see the LagosMove Lagos Airport Arrival Guide.

From Ikeja GRA, Opebi or Allen Avenue

These areas are convenient starting points for a trip to Agidingbi compared with travelling across Lagos from the Island. Enter the full NERDC Road address in your navigation app and confirm that the driver is heading to the Shrine, not simply to a similarly named business or a broad Ikeja landmark. If you need accommodation nearby, compare options in our guide to hotels in Ikeja.

From Victoria Island, Ikoyi or Lekki

Allow a generous traffic buffer when travelling from the Island. A journey that looks short on a map can take much longer during peak periods or when there is heavy rain. If you are attending a ticketed event, avoid scheduling your arrival too tightly against the advertised start time.

Late-Night Safety and Transport Tips

A good night out includes a plan for getting home. Demand for cars may rise when a large event finishes, and waiting until the crowd leaves can make pickup less convenient.

• Use a transport service or driver you have independently chosen and trust.
• Check the vehicle registration, make and driver details against your booking before entering.
• Agree on a clear pickup point and share your trip details with someone you trust.
• Keep your phone charged and carry enough money for a backup journey.
• Avoid unsolicited rides from people approaching you outside the venue.
• If you are attending with friends, agree on a meeting point in case you become separated.

These are sensible precautions, not a guarantee of personal safety. For more advice about planning a night out and choosing a Lagos area, read the LagosMove Lagos nightlife guide.

Felabration: The Annual Festival Celebrating Fela

Felabration is an annual festival celebrating Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s life, music and influence. The official festival website says it was conceived by Yeni Kuti in 1998 and has grown into a week-long programme associated with the New Afrika Shrine. Events have included live performances, debates, dance, art and fashion activities.

The festival is generally held in October around Fela’s birthday. Its programme and participating artists vary by year, so check the official Felabration website for current announcements rather than relying on a previous year’s dates or lineup.

Festival periods can bring larger crowds and higher demand for nearby accommodation and transport. If you are travelling from outside Lagos, compare rooms early, confirm the full booking cost and check cancellation terms before paying.

Where to Stay Near New Afrika Shrine

If the Shrine is the main reason for your visit, staying in Ikeja can reduce the distance you need to travel after a late performance. Compare hotels by their exact address, total room cost, check-in arrangements and transport access. A property described as being “near Ikeja” may still require a drive to Agidingbi.

Start with LagosMove’s Ikeja hotel comparison. If your trip includes other parts of the city, our Lagos museums guide, Nike Art Gallery visitor guide and Lagos cultural tours guide can help you plan additional cultural stops. Group attractions by area to avoid spending too much of your day in traffic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is New Afrika Shrine located?

New Afrika Shrine is listed at 1 NERDC Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Use the full address and map pin when arranging transport.

Is entry to New Afrika Shrine free?

The official Fela Kuti legacy page says most events have no entrance fee, although some events may charge admission. Confirm the fee for the event you plan to attend.

Which days does Femi Kuti perform at the Shrine?

The official legacy page describes a long-running Thursday and Sunday performance pattern for Femi Kuti and Positive Force. It is not a guarantee for a particular week, so check the current programme before travelling.

Does Seun Kuti perform at New Afrika Shrine?

The official legacy page describes Seun Kuti appearing with Egypt 80 on the last Saturday of the month when he is not away on tour. Confirm the schedule for your intended date.

What is Felabration?

Felabration is an annual festival celebrating Fela Kuti’s life, music and influence. It was conceived by Yeni Kuti in 1998 and is generally held in October around Fela’s birthday.

Is New Afrika Shrine open during the day?

The official legacy page describes the doors as open 24 hours, but this does not mean live performances or all visitor services are available throughout the day. Confirm access arrangements before making a daytime visit.

Can tourists visit New Afrika Shrine?

The venue is a recognised cultural and live-music destination for local and international visitors. Check the event arrangements and access details for your intended date.

Is New Afrika Shrine suitable for children?

Suitability depends on the event, the child’s age and the time of the performance. Live music can be loud and some events run late. Check the programme and entry conditions before bringing children.

How do I get home after a late performance?

Arrange a return option in advance, use a transport provider you trust and agree on a clear pickup point. Verify the driver and vehicle details before entering the car.

Final Advice Before Visiting

The New Afrika Shrine is an important part of Lagos’s music and cultural story. Its connection to Fela Kuti and the continuing work of the Kuti family make it more than an ordinary nightlife stop.

For a smoother visit, use the Agidingbi address, confirm the event and any admission charge for your date, and arrange your return transport before the show begins. Do not rely on old prices, copied weekly schedules or conflicting directory addresses.

How LagosMove Researched This Guide

This guide was updated on 13 November 2026. We checked the Fela Kuti legacy page for the venue’s background and published admission guidance, the official Felabration website for festival history, and current Google Maps and Waze listings for the address. Where sources do not establish a current event fee or guaranteed performance time, the article says so rather than presenting an old figure as current.

LagosMove is an independent travel and local-information publisher. We are not affiliated with the New Afrika Shrine and do not sell its tickets. Confirm event-specific details with the venue or authorised organiser before travelling.

Sources for further checking: Fela Kuti: New Afrika Shrine · Felabration: About the Festival · Google Maps · Waze directions.