By Sylvia Johnson, LagosMove Senior Editor. Last updated 12 November 2026.
The short answer: The New Afrika Shrine is the Kuti family’s Afrobeat venue in Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos. Femi Kuti plays the Sunday Jump with his band, Seun Kuti has been reported to play one Saturday a month, and Felabration fills the venue each October. Entry is free or low-cost for most nights, but confirm the price for your date before you travel.
New Afrika Shrine at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 NERDC Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos. One 2026 listing gives Hakeem Balogun Street, so confirm your map pin |
| Opened | 15 October 2000 |
| Run by | Femi Kuti and Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti |
| Regular shows | Femi Kuti’s Sunday Jump; Thursday sessions with Femi Kuti; a monthly Saturday show by Seun Kuti |
| Entry | The official Fela Kuti site says most events have no entrance fee. Reported gate fees: ₦2,000 for a December 2023 Sunday Jump, ₦10,000 for a January 2026 outside concert |
| Doors | The official site says the doors are open 24 hours. Shows start late |
| Payment | Carry naira cash in small notes |
Treat every price here as a past report, not a quote.
What the New Afrika Shrine is, and why it matters
The New Afrika Shrine replaced the clubs Fela Kuti ran before his death. Fela opened the first Afrika Shrine in 1970. On 18 February 1977, about 1,000 soldiers stormed his Kalakuta Republic compound. His mother, the women’s rights campaigner Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was badly injured and died in 1978. Accounts of exactly how she was hurt vary, but most say she was thrown from a window.
Fela died on 2 August 1997. Estimates of the crowd at his funeral run from hundreds of thousands to about a million. His children Femi and Yeni opened the New Afrika Shrine on 15 October 2000, as Guardian Nigeria records. It is a larger venue, reported to be about four times the size of the original, with bars on two levels and a large open area facing the stage.
For background, see the New Afrika Shrine entry on Wikipedia.
Photo by David Iloba
Who plays and when
Sunday Jump. Femi Kuti and his band, the Positive Force, play about three hours every Sunday night. It is the show most visitors come for.
Thursday sessions. Femi Kuti’s Thursday shows are listed on event sites. They are often described as live rehearsals and draw a smaller crowd.
Seun Kuti and Egypt 80. Seun, who leads his father’s old band, has been reported to play on the last Saturday of the month. Recent listings describe a monthly Saturday show. Made Kuti also performs monthly shows, according to Jeune Afrique.
Check before you go. Tours and special events change the line-up. Check the Shrine’s official channels on the day. A listing is a lead, not a confirmation, which is the same rule our Lagos nightlife guide applies to every venue.
What to expect on the night
Expect a loud, late, crowded night. Music builds slowly, and listings for the Sunday and Thursday shows have shown starts from about 8 or 9 p.m., with the room filling later. Reports say no dress code is enforced at the gate, so wear something light and shoes you can stand in for hours.
Bars operate on site. Bring cash, since not every gate or bar takes cards.
What it costs
The official site says most events are free to enter. Charges appear for the Sunday Jump, special concerts and Felabration headline nights. Guardian Nigeria’s 2016 Felabration listings also noted that a small fee may start if the venue gets too crowded.
| Event | Reported charge | When reported |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday Jump | ₦2,000 | December 2023 |
| Outside concert (Sunny Melody) | ₦10,000 | January 2026 |
| Felabration headline nights | ₦5,000 to ₦20,000 listed; most nights free | 2026 listings, unconfirmed by organisers |
Ask the Shrine’s channels for your date. Budget for the ride home, too.
How to get to the New Afrika Shrine
Ikeja is on the Lagos mainland, in the same district as Murtala Muhammed International Airport, according to FAAN. Do not rely on a fixed journey time. Evening traffic varies a lot.
- Use a ride-hailing app and set the pin to the Shrine itself. Confirm the street with your driver, since listings differ. Our guide to ride-hailing apps in Lagos compares Bolt, inDrive and others.
- Plan the return before you go in. Demand spikes when shows end. Agree a pickup point and share your trip with someone.
- Compare transport modes in our Lagos transportation guide, and read the Lagos transport safety guide before using unfamiliar transport at night.
- Arriving from the airport? Start with the Lagos airport guide.
Safety tips for a night at the Shrine
- Carry only what you need, in a small bag that stays on your body.
- Match plate, car and driver name in the app before you get in.
- Keep cash in small notes and a card separately.
- Go with at least one other person if you can, and tell someone where you are.
- Watch your drink and keep it in sight.
For area-level context, see our comparison of the safest areas in Lagos. No district name guarantees a safe night, so the exact venue and your plan matter more.
Felabration: the festival around Fela’s birthday
Felabration is the yearly festival for Fela Kuti, built around his birthday on 15 October. The 2026 edition ran from 12 to 18 October at the New Afrika Shrine, with Femi Kuti and the Positive Force, Made Kuti and Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 among the headliners, according to Voice of Nigeria. Some events were also held at Freedom Park.
The next dates had not been announced when this page was updated on 12 November 2026. Check the official Felabration site for the programme, and read the Felabration page on Wikipedia for the festival’s background. Book rooms and rides early for that week.
Where to stay near the Shrine
Ikeja suits visitors whose plans centre on the airport or the Mainland. Our where to stay in Lagos guide compares Ikeja with Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, Yaba and Surulere. One Ikeja hotel to investigate is Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos Ikeja. Compare its address with the Shrine’s pin and ask for the full rate before you book.
Photo by Bobest
Make a full Lagos weekend of it
- Best things to do in Lagos for a first-time itinerary
- National Museum Lagos for hours, address and what to see
- Lagos nightlife guide for areas, costs and safe rides home
- Lagos money guide for cash and card tips
- Lagos travel planning tools for a quick checklist
Frequently asked questions
Is the New Afrika Shrine free to enter?
The official site says most events have no entrance fee. The Sunday Jump and special concerts have charged for entry, so ask for your date.
What time should I arrive?
Listings show shows starting around 8 or 9 p.m., and the room fills later. Arrive earlier if you want a table near the stage.
What day is best to visit?
Sunday, for Femi Kuti’s Sunday Jump. Felabration week in October is the festival peak.
Is there a dress code?
Reports say none is enforced at the gate. Choose light clothing and comfortable shoes.
Can I take children?
Early evening is easier than late night. Big shows run late and get crowded, so use your judgment and stay close to children.
Is it safe to go alone?
Many people do, but a late night in a large crowd calls for care. Book a logged ride home, keep your drink in sight and tell someone where you are.
What if it rains?
Parts of the venue are covered, but outdoor shows can pause or shift. Check the Shrine’s channels on the day.
Bottom line
Confirm the show, the price and the pin on the day, pay in naira cash and fix your ride home before you go in. If you want one night that shows how Fela’s legacy still lives in Lagos, this is it.
How we checked this page
Updated 12 November 2026 from the venue’s official page, news reports from Guardian Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria and others, and event listings. Listings disagree on the street address and on gate fees, and we have said so. We are not affiliated with the venue. If you spot an error, tell us through our contact page.
