President Bola Tinubu has expressed sorrow over the death of renowned highlife musician and folklorist, Mike Ejeagha, describing his passing as a significant loss to Nigeria’s cultural landscape.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President acknowledged Ejeagha’s enduring impact on Nigerian music, particularly his role in preserving Igbo folklore through his distinct lyrical style and narrative-rich compositions.

“Mike Ejeagha was one of Nigeria’s greatest folklorists, songwriters, and musicians in the Igbo language,” Tinubu said, noting that the artist’s work served as both entertainment and cultural documentation.

“His songs, built on proverbial wisdom and oral tradition, inspired generations and upheld our heritage.”

Ejeagha, popularly known for his song “Gwo Gwo,” was widely regarded for embedding moral lessons and traditional values in his music.
Tinubu emphasised that the artist’s storytelling was not merely art but a vessel for transmitting societal norms.

“May the spirit and values of Gentleman Mike Ejeagha’s music continue to remind us that music has the power to revive, heal, and redirect energy towards worthy causes that help build our nation,” the President stated.

Tinubu also commended the Enugu State Government for honouring Ejeagha during his lifetime. He acknowledged the efforts of Governor Peter Mbah in recognising the contributions of the musician and ensuring that his legacy did not go unnoticed.

“I appreciate the steps taken by the Enugu State Government to celebrate this icon while he was still alive,” Tinubu noted, adding that such gestures reinforce the importance of valuing cultural figures.

The President concluded his message with a prayer for Ejeagha’s peaceful rest and for comfort to those grieving his death. “May God Almighty grant repose to his soul and console his family, friends, and fans who mourn this loss.”

Ejeagha passed away on Friday evening at the age of 95 after a prolonged illness. His eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed to journalists in Enugu that his father died around 8 pm at the 32 Garrison Hospital.

“My father passed away due to a long-standing ailment,” he said, adding that the family is still coming to terms with the loss.

The late musician, often referred to as “Gentleman,” was a household name in Nigeria’s highlife and folk music scenes for several decades, with a career that blended music and oral tradition to shape public consciousness.