By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Veteran Nigerian rapper Olusegun Osaniyi, popularly known as Lord of Ajasa, has acquired United States citizenship, sparking congratulatory messages from fellow musicians, industry figures and fans.

The rapper, recognised for his pioneering contribution to Yoruba-language hip-hop, announced the milestone through photographs and videos shared on his Instagram page, @lordofajasa, on Wednesday.

In one of the videos, Lord of Ajasa displayed his American citizenship certificate, while another photograph showed him posing with his wife alongside the United States flag.

The announcement attracted reactions from colleagues and fans, many of whom took to the comment section of his post to celebrate his latest achievement.

Music producer and founder of Coded Tunes, Olumide Ogunade, popularly known as ID Cabasa, congratulated the rapper, writing, “Congratulations Lord Oshi.”

Lord of Ajasa responded with a message of appreciation, saying, “Thanks Cabasa.”

Singer Abolore Akande, better known as 9ice, also joined those celebrating the veteran rapper. He wrote, “Congrats apase,” to which Lord of Ajasa replied, “Thanks Baalè.”

Beyond the citizenship announcement, the development has also drawn renewed attention to Lord of Ajasa’s legacy in Nigerian music, particularly his role in popularising Yoruba rap.

The rapper was among the early artistes who helped bring indigenous-language hip-hop into the Nigerian mainstream, paving the way for subsequent generations of rappers who incorporated Yoruba into their music.

His contributions came before the emergence of popular indigenous rap acts such as Dagrin, Olamide and Reminisce, who further expanded the reach of Yoruba-language rap among Nigerian audiences.

Over the years, Lord of Ajasa has remained associated with songs such as “Le Fenu So,” “Esha Lo Bade” and “Mai Lo,” which are remembered by fans of early Yoruba hip-hop.

His style helped demonstrate that indigenous Nigerian languages could be used effectively in rap music, offering an alternative to the English-dominated sound that characterised much of the country’s hip-hop scene at the time.

The veteran rapper’s latest achievement marks another chapter in his personal life, with colleagues and admirers continuing to celebrate his transition to American citizenship.

His announcement has also provided an opportunity for music lovers to reflect on his influence on the development of indigenous rap in Nigeria.