Nigerian Highlife Legend Mike Ejeagha, behind ‘Gwogwogwongwo,’ Dies at 95

The Nigerian music industry mourns the loss of one of its most revered highlife musicians, Mike Ejeagha, who passed away at the age of 95 on Friday evening at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu following a prolonged illness.

Popularly known as “Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,” he was a pioneer of Igbo folk music, blending traditional storytelling with highlife rhythms to create timeless classics that resonated across generations. His songs, including Omekagu, Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma, and Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwogwogwongwo), became cultural staples in Nigeria.

Born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Ejeagha dedicated his life to preserving Igbo folklore through music. His contributions to Nigerian music earned him a place in the National Archives of Nigeria, where over 300 recordings of his work are preserved.

In 2024, Ejeagha’s music experienced a resurgence when his 1983 track Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche sparked a viral Gwo gwo ngwo dance challenge on social media, introducing his artistry to a younger generation.

The Enugu State Government honored Ejeagha last year by naming a newly commissioned road after him, recognizing his immense contributions to Nigerian culture.