The late Mike Ejeagha, a legendary highlife musician and folklorist
Nigerian music has lost one of its most iconic storytellers. Mike Ejeagha, the legendary highlife musician and folklorist popularly known for the viral song “Gwo Gwo Ngwo,” has passed away at the age of 95.
The revered singer died on the evening of Friday, June 6, 2025, at the 32 Garrison Military Hospital in Enugu, after a long battle with prostate cancer — an illness he had quietly faced since 2006.
His son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed the news, revealing he was with his father during his final moments.
Ejeagha was more than just a musician. Born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Enugu State, he became a pillar of Igbo folklore, masterfully weaving wisdom and culture into over 300 songs across six decades.
His deep baritone voice, often layered over soulful highlife rhythms and witty proverbs, earned him the nickname “Gentleman Mike.”
Though his name might have faded from mainstream charts over time, a new generation rediscovered him in 2024 when comedian Brain Jotter used his 1983 hit “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche” — popularly referred to by its catchy hook “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo” — in a viral dance challenge.
The internet erupted, and suddenly, Ejeagha’s music was back on playlists across Nigeria and beyond.
Tributes have since poured in. Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, who recently honoured the icon by naming a road near his residence after him, called Ejeagha “a legend and cultural ambassador.”
President Bola Tinubu also joined in mourning, praising Ejeagha’s contributions to preserving Igbo traditions and enriching Nigeria’s musical history.
