Mike Ejeagha: The Last Bard of Highlife Bows Out at 95.

Mike Ejeagha, the iconic Nigerian highlife maestro and Igbo folklorist, has passed away at 95. This tribute celebrates his life, his legacy, and what younger generations can learn from the last true storyteller of Nigerian highlife music.

Introduction: The End of an Era

On a quiet June day in 2025, Nigeria lost more than a man it lost a living archive.

Mike Ejeagha, the legendary highlife musician, folklorist, and cultural custodian, has passed away at the age of 95. His death marks not only the conclusion of a monumental life but also the fading echoes of a music genre that once united generations through rhythm, wisdom, and proverbs.

For many Nigerians especially the Igbo-speaking people Ejeagha’s voice wasn’t just familiar; it was ancestral. His melodies didn’t just entertain; they instructed, preserved, and warned.

Chapter 1: From Enugu to the World

Born in 1930 in Enugu, Ejeagha began his musical journey as a teenager, inspired by indigenous storytelling and the rich oral traditions of his people. He taught himself how to play the guitar and fused his love for folk tales with music, creating a unique style he called Akuko n’egwu  “stories in music.”

By the 1960s, his songs were being played across Nigeria. Not only did he entertain, but he also embedded Igbo proverbs, morals, and cultural idioms in each track  a living, singing professor.

 Chapter 2: Music with a Message

Unlike many of his contemporaries who leaned heavily on Western instrumentation and love songs, Mike Ejeagha made it clear:

“If music doesn’t teach, it shouldn’t play.”

Some of his most famous tracks include:

• “Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma” – A meditation on how peace and unity flourish at the end of conflict.

• “Omekagu” – A ballad warning against betrayal and the consequences of greed.

• “Enyi Ga Achi” – A tale of friendship, power, and consequences.

Every lyric was layered with parables. Every beat was intentional. His music became a classroom for those who didn’t go to school and a cultural bridge for the diaspora.

Chapter 3: The Ethnomusicologist

Beyond performance, Mike Ejeagha was also a researcher and archivist.

In collaboration with the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and later UNESCO, Ejeagha recorded and documented over 300 traditional Igbo folk songs, preserving the oral traditions of a culture threatened by globalization and political instability.

His mission was clear:

“If we don’t record our ancestors’ stories, who will?”

Through his work, thousands of children today still learn ancient wisdom, not through textbooks, but through the lyrics of Mike Ejeagha.

Chapter 4: A Cultural Icon Mistreated by His Nation

Despite his status, Ejeagha lived a relatively quiet life in later years. He was often overlooked by national honors, under-supported by public institutions, and largely absent from major media narratives in a country that tends to reward contemporary fame over historic contribution.

In 2015, he was hospitalized and reportedly struggled with health issues, relying more on the goodwill of fans and culture enthusiasts than on government support.

His story is not unique it mirrors that of many African cultural pioneers who gave everything but received too little in return.

Chapter 5: Lessons for Young Nigerians

Mike Ejeagha’s life is a lesson in more than music.

1. Preserve Your Culture

He taught us that language and tradition must be preserved not abandoned. In an age of digital dominance, Ejeagha proved that authenticity never goes out of style.

2. Art is Responsibility

Unlike today’s clout-driven music scene, Ejeagha’s songs taught responsibility. Every song should either heal, teach, or awaken never just fill space.

3. Success is Legacy, Not Fame

While many chase virality, Ejeagha built a legacy. A name not just remembered but revered. He reminds us:

"If your art doesn’t outlive you, it hasn’t fulfilled its purpose."

Final Days, Lasting Memory

Mike Ejeagha passed peacefully at the age of 95  a long life well-lived, even if not fully celebrated. As tributes pour in from cultural organizations, musicians, and everyday fans, one thing is certain:

Nigeria will never see another quite like him.

 He didn’t just sing to our ears; He whispered to our conscience. He didn’t just make records; He recorded our memories.

Final Reflection: Will We Remember?

As Nigeria mourns, we must also confront a hard truth: we are losing our historians in silence.

Who will document our stories when our storytellers are gone? Who will remember the songs when the singers fade?

Mike Ejeagha gave us the blueprint. It’s time we use it.

🖊️ By WorldWire News – African Voices & Legacy Desk

📩 If you have memories or stories about Mike Ejeagha, send them to info@worldwirenews.xyz to be part of our special memorial project.