Highlife Music Legend, Mike Ejeagha Is Dead

Legendary Nigerian highlife musician, Mike Ejeagha has passed away at the age of 95.

Widely known as “Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,” he died on Friday night after battling a long-term illness.

His eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed the news to reporters in Enugu on Saturday.

He said his father died around 8 p.m. on Friday at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu.

Emma simply said, “My father passed away due to a long-standing ailment.”

Ejeagha was known for his unique brand of Igbo highlife music that connected deeply with audiences for decades.

Born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Enugu State, he became well-known in the 1960s through the 1980s with songs like “Omekagu”, “Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma”, and “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwogwogwongwo)”.

His work played a major role in keeping Igbo traditions alive through music. Over 300 of his recordings are currently preserved in the National Archives of Nigeria.

In 2024, a viral dance trend featuring his 1983 song *Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche* helped reintroduce his music to younger fans.

Although Mike Ejeagha is gone, his influence on Nigerian highlife and Igbo music will be remembered for generations.

KanyiDaily recalls that in 2024, Nigerian skit maker, Brain Jotter met with Mike Ejeagha after gifting him N2million for use of his viral song “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo.”