Nigerians across generations are paying heartfelt tribute to the legendary folklorist, Mike Ejeagha, who died at 95. His legacy is being celebrated by leaders and fans alike, including a younger audience rediscovering his timeless music
- Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi described Ejeagha as a national treasure whose songs taught morals, wisdom, and Igbo cultural heritage.
- Enugu Governor Peter Mbah honoured Ejeagha during his lifetime with a road named after him.
- Ejeagha’s 1983 track Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche became a viral TikTok hit in 2024 thanks to comedian Brainn Jotter, sparking the “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” dance challenge.
- The viral moment led Brain Jotter to seek out Ejeagha with a ₦2 million gift.
- Celebrities, students, clergy, and the Super Falcons joined the trend that brought the late singer back into the spotlight.
Ejeagha wasn’t just a highlife musician; he was a walking archive of Igbo oral tradition. With his acoustic guitar and proverbs, he stitched together wisdom, satire, and music to preserve a vanishing culture. That a TikTok trend reawakened interest in his work speaks to the depth and adaptability of his legacy, even in the digital age.
His voice may have gone silent, but Mike Ejeagha's music, rich in wisdom and soul, continues to echo through generations. As Peter Obi put it: “This may be the end of an era, but not the end of his voice.”
