Nigeria: Fola gifts mother car, fulfilling longtime promise
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
Afrobeats singer Fola has celebrated a major personal milestone by gifting his mother a car, fulfilling a wish she shared with him as his music career began to take shape.
The singer, whose real name is Folarin Odunlami, shared the emotional moment on social media, reflecting on his journey and his mother’s role in supporting his dreams.
According to Fola, he once asked his mother what she would like him to get for her when his career began to progress. Her wishes were simple but meaningful: she wanted to have a church of her own and a particular car.
“When things started to align, I randomly asked my mother what she wanted, and she said she wanted her own church building and this specific car,” the singer wrote.
He also expressed gratitude to God for giving him the opportunity and the longevity in his career to fulfill the promises he made to his mother.
Fola had earlier used his first major earnings from music to purchase a piece of land for his mother in Ibadan. She subsequently built a church on the property, marking the fulfillment of the first part of her wish.
With the presentation of the car, the singer has now completed the second part of the promise.
Beyond her wishes, Fola has repeatedly acknowledged his mother’s influence on his career. He previously revealed that she encouraged him to pursue his dreams and consistently assured him that he would one day become a successful musician.
Fola rose to prominence with his hit single “Alone” and has continued to build his profile within Nigeria’s fast-growing Afrobeats scene. He has worked with notable artists including Ayra Starr, Wizkid, BNXN, Zlatan, Victony and DJ Tunez.
The singer is signed to Dangbana Republik and Empire. In September 2025, he released his debut studio album, Catharsis, further establishing himself as one of the emerging names in contemporary Afrobeats.
For Fola, however, the latest gesture appears to be about more than material success. It represents a heartfelt way of appreciating the woman who supported his dreams long before his music career reached its current heights.
