Renowned Highlife legend, Mike Ejeagha, known for transforming Igbo folklore and proverbs into captivating music, has passed away at the age of 95.

Ejeagha died on Friday night at about 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu, following a prolonged illness.

His eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed the sad news in a telephone conversation with Vanguard

Mike Ejeagha was a dominant voice on Nigerian airwaves in the 1980s with his unique style of Igbo folk music that resonated across generations.

He was born in Imezi Owa in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

He grew up in Coal Camp in a family headed by his civil servant father, then worked with the Ministry of Health of Enugu.

Mike Ejeagha was celebrated for his mastery in transforming Igbo folklore and proverbs into captivating musical narratives that educated and entertained generations. His unique style of storytelling through music dominated Nigerian airwaves in the 1980s and earned him a revered place in the country’s cultural history.

One of his most iconic tracks, “Gwogwogwo,” gained renewed attention last year after popular stand-up comedian and skitmaker Brian Potter remixed the song, introducing it to a younger audience and sparking a resurgence of interest in Ejeagha’s work.

With a career spanning several decades, Ejeagha’s contributions to the preservation and promotion of Igbo language and culture through highlife music remain unmatched.

Tributes have begun pouring in from across the country, as fans, cultural institutions, and fellow musicians remember his profound impact on traditional music and his legacy as a custodian of oral tradition.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.