Legendary Highlife Musician Mike Ejeagha Passes Away at 95 After 16-Year Battle with Cancer

A Towering Figure in Igbo Folk Music

Mike Ejeagha, the revered Nigerian highlife musician and folklorist, has passed away at the age of 95 after a 16-year battle with prostate cancer.

His Final Moments

📢 Ejeagha died on Friday night at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu, according to his eldest son, Emma Ejeagha.

📢 He was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006, undergoing multiple hospitalizations over the years.

📢 His health deteriorated two weeks ago, leading to another hospitalization, but he was initially stabilized and discharged before being rushed back on Tuesday.

A Legacy That Lives On

🎶 Ejeagha was a pioneer of Igbo folk music, blending traditional wisdom with melodic storytelling.

🎶 His 1983 classic “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche” resurfaced in 2024, after being featured in a viral dance skit by comedian Brain Jotter, sparking a global dance challenge.

🎶 He received long-overdue royalties, and a road in Enugu was renamed in his honor as a tribute to his enduring legacy.

What’s Next?

⚖️ Will there be a state funeral to honor his contributions to Nigerian music?

⚖️ How will his family preserve his musical heritage?

⚖️ Will his works inspire a new generation of Igbo folk musicians?

💬 What’s your take on Ejeagha’s legacy? Drop your thoughts below!