Nigeria bids farewell to a music icon as legendary highlife maestro Mike Ejeagha, a pioneer of Igbo folk music, passes on.
His songs shaped culture, taught morals, and spanned generations.
Nigeria is mourning the loss of one of its most celebrated musical legends, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha, who has reportedly passed away. Widely regarded as a foundational figure in highlife and Igbo folk music, Ejeagha’s influence stretched across generations and decades, shaping the soundscape of Eastern Nigeria and preserving the oral traditions of the Igbo people through music and storytelling.
With a career that spanned more than 60 years, Ejeagha was known not just as a musician but as a cultural custodian. He carved a niche for himself by fusing traditional Igbo proverbs and folklore with highlife rhythms, creating songs that were as educational as they were entertaining. His unique storytelling approach to music earned him a reputation as a wise philosopher and an unofficial historian of Igbo customs and values.
One of his most iconic tracks, “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche,” released in 1983, recently experienced a resurgence in popularity after a viral dance challenge launched by Nigerian comedian Brain Jotter. The challenge sparked renewed interest in Ejeagha’s music among a younger audience, many of whom were discovering his work for the first time. The resurgence of the song brought a wave of nostalgia and admiration for Ejeagha’s timeless artistry, reaffirming his place in Nigeria’s musical history.
Ejeagha’s music has been widely praised for its depth, wit, and moral lessons. He sang predominantly in Igbo, often addressing societal issues and human behavior through allegories and humor. His contribution went beyond entertainment his lyrics were seen as tools for teaching ethics, values, and wisdom.
In recognition of his immense cultural contribution, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, in September 2024, renamed Obinagu Road in Abakpa Nike to Mike Ejeagha Road. The gesture was meant to celebrate Ejeagha while he was still alive and acknowledge his role in promoting and preserving Igbo culture through music. It was a rare but significant move in a country where national recognition for creatives often comes posthumously.
Throughout his lifetime, Ejeagha recorded hundreds of songs and was a key figure in archiving traditional Igbo music for future generations. He also worked with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Radio Nigeria, contributing to educational music programs and folk storytelling segments. He remained active in his later years, occasionally granting interviews from his residence in Enugu and offering insights into Nigeria’s evolving music scene.
The news of his passing has been met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, cultural institutions, and fellow musicians. Many have taken to social media to express their admiration for his enduring legacy and the void his death leaves behind in Nigeria’s cultural fabric.
As tributes continue to pour in, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha is being remembered not just for his music, but for the wisdom, humor, and authenticity that defined his work. His legacy will undoubtedly live on through the melodies, proverbs, and lessons embedded in his songs a gift to Nigeria and generations to come.
