The folk symphony is a nationalistic work by

Fela Sowande (1905-1987) is widely regarded as the father of Nigerian art music. He was the first Nigerian composer to successfully blend indigenous Yoruba folk melodies with Western orchestral and compositional techniques. His Folk Symphony is a nationalistic orchestral work that draws on Nigerian folk themes and incorporates them into a symphonic framework, making it a landmark in African classical music.

Sowande's other notable works include the African Suite for string orchestra, which similarly fuses Yoruba melodies with Western forms. His compositions were among the first to demonstrate that African musical idioms could be expressed within the conventions of Western symphonic writing.

Ayo Bankole was also a prominent Nigerian art-music composer but is better known for choral and organ works. Akin Euba is known for his concept of "creative ethnomusicology" and works blending Yoruba drumming with Western techniques, but the specific title Folk Symphony is associated with Sowande. Bode Omojola is primarily known as a musicologist and scholar of Nigerian art music rather than as the composer of this particular work.