By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Celebrated Fuji musician Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, popularly known as Oganla Fuji, has reportedly been receiving a wave of congratulatory phone calls, text messages and social media mentions from fans across Africa, especially in Nigeria, following Arsenal F.C.’s emergence as champions of the 2025/2026 English Premier League season.
The North London club clinched the title on Tuesday after closest rivals Manchester City were held to a draw by Bournemouth, ending Arsenal’s 22-year wait for a league crown and sparking celebrations among supporters worldwide.
In Nigeria, where football allegiance often overlaps with celebrity culture, many Arsenal supporters turned the moment into an unusual celebration of Pasuma, one of the country’s most prominent entertainment figures and a long-time public supporter of the club.
Known for his passionate love for Arsenal, Pasuma has for years openly identified with the club in interviews, stage banter and social gatherings, making his name synonymous with the Gunners among many Nigerian fans. Shortly after the title was confirmed, congratulatory messages began pouring in from admirers who jokingly described the Fuji icon as “one of the happiest Arsenal faithful in Africa.”
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The development quickly became a talking point on social media, where fans shared old clips of the musician celebrating Arsenal victories and wearing the club’s colours during performances. Some described the triumph as a “double celebration” — for Arsenal fans and for Pasuma’s loyal followers, who affectionately call him Oganla.
Entertainment analysts say the reaction highlights the growing intersection between sports fandom and celebrity influence in Africa, where musicians, actors and public figures often become unofficial ambassadors of foreign football clubs.
In Nigeria, the English Premier League enjoys one of the largest followings on the continent, with clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool commanding millions of supporters. For many fans, the passion goes beyond football, shaping conversations in music, politics and popular culture.
Pasuma’s connection to Arsenal has particularly resonated among his fan base because of the artiste’s reputation for loyalty and consistency. Several of his admirers took to Facebook, WhatsApp and X to congratulate him as though the trophy had been won personally by the singer.
A Lagos-based fan, Abdulrasheed Kareem, said the celebration reflected how deeply football is woven into everyday Nigerian life.
“Everybody knows Pasuma loves Arsenal. Once they won the league, people started calling him to celebrate. It shows how football and entertainment connect people here,” he said.
The excitement around Arsenal’s title win has also revived discussions among Nigerian supporters about the club’s global fan culture, especially in Africa, where celebrities like Pasuma have helped amplify its popularity beyond the pitch.
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The Merit Newspaper reports that for many admirers of the Fuji star, the congratulatory messages were not just about football, but also a recognition of how a musician’s personal passion can become part of public identity.
As Arsenal fans across the world celebrate a historic league success, Pasuma’s unexpected spotlight in the moment shows once again that in Nigeria, football is more than a sport — it is a cultural language spoken by musicians, actors and millions of everyday supporters alike.
