Highlife Icon Mike Ejeagha Dies at 95, Tributes Pour In Across Nigeria

Renowned highlife musician and folklorist Mike Ejeagha has died at the age of 95. He reportedly passed away on Friday evening at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after a prolonged illness. His son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed the death, saying his father had battled health challenges for years.

Born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Ejeagha was widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in traditional Igbo music.

He was nicknamed “Gentleman” and was known for blending witty storytelling with guitar-led highlife, using proverbs and folktales to deliver moral lessons. His popular tracks include Omekagu, Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma, and Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche.

Ejeagha’s songs, often sung in Igbo, tackled everyday struggles, family values, discipline, and the wisdom of elders. He left behind more than 300 recorded works, many of which are preserved in the National Archives of Nigeria.

Earlier this year, Ejeagha’s 1983 hit Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche gained renewed attention after it became the soundtrack for a viral dance challenge. The song, which tells the humorous story of a tortoise tricking an elephant into attending a fake marriage ceremony, was featured in a skit by comedian Chukwuebuka Amuzie, popularly known as Brain Jotter.

The “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” dance, which mimics the stomping footsteps of the elephant, quickly took over social media platforms. The challenge amassed over 28 million views on TikTok and Instagram in a single week, featuring participants ranging from students to priests, as well as one of  Nigeria’s National football teams, the Super Falcons.

Brain Jotter later traced the singer and publicly offered him ₦2 million in appreciation for the song.

In a statement released on Saturday, President Bola Tinubu described Ejeagha as “one of Nigeria’s greatest folklorists, songwriters, and musicians in the Igbo language.” He praised the late artist for using music to preserve and project Igbo culture and customs.

Tinubu also commended Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for honouring Ejeagha during his lifetime by reconstructing and renaming the road to his residence after him.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also paid tribute, noting the renewed interest in Ejeagha’s work thanks to social media.

“It is heartwarming to note that, thanks to Brain Jotter, highlife maestro Mike Ejeagha had his ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ encore dance before the curtain was drawn,” he wrote on X.

Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also praised Ejeagha’s six-decade career, stating that his songs will continue to echo through generations. Governor Mbah further described the singer as a legend, a cultural ambassador, and a revered son of Enugu State.

Comedian Brain Jotter shared a tribute on Instagram: “Thirty-nine years ago, he made magic. Thirty-nine years later, we danced to it again. Now, he rests – but his melody lives forever.”

Mike Ejeagha is remembered not just as a musician but as a cultural custodian who used music to teach, inspire and preserve the heritage of his people. His legacy will continue to live through his music and the values he passed on to generations.

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