The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has expressed profound grief over the passing of Nigeria’s legendary highlife musician, Mike Ejeagha, who died on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the age of 95.
In a heartfelt statement released through her Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Dr. Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the Minister paid glowing tribute to the late musical icon, describing his demise as an irreplaceable loss to the nation’s cultural and musical heritage.
“Nigeria has lost a cultural treasure and a musical genius,” Musawa stated. “Mike Ejeagha’s impact on Nigerian music is beyond measure. His life’s work represents a legacy that will continue to educate, inspire, and resonate with future generations.”
Celebrated for his mastery in weaving Igbo folklore and age-old proverbs into evocative musical narratives, Ejeagha was widely regarded as a custodian of oral tradition. The Minister emphasized that his work went far beyond entertainment, serving as a vital educational tool and a repository of indigenous wisdom.
“His vast collection of over 300 recorded works, now preserved in the National Archives of Nigeria, speaks volumes about his unwavering commitment to safeguarding and promoting our rich cultural heritage,” Musawa noted.
She extended her deepest condolences to the late musician’s family, close associates, and countless admirers across Nigeria and the diaspora. She also offered prayers for his peaceful repose.
Popularly known as “Gentleman Mike Ejeagha,” the iconic artist was revered for using highlife music as a vehicle to convey profound societal messages. His songs, often embedded with wisdom and humor, served as moral guides and reflections of communal values, particularly among the Igbo-speaking people.
In her statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to honor Ejeagha’s memory by embracing and preserving the cultural traditions he devoted his life to.
“As we mourn this irreplaceable loss, we also celebrate the extraordinary life he lived. May his music continue to light the path for cultural preservation and national identity,” she said.
Mike Ejeagha’s music, memory, and influence are expected to endure as symbols of Nigeria’s enduring cultural richness.
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