Harvard University to Spotlight Nigerian Music Legend Mike Ejeagha in Documentary Screening”
Harvard to Host Screening of Gentleman: The Legend of Mike Ejeagha, Celebrating Nigerian Highlife and Oral Tradition
Harvard University is set to spotlight a Nigerian musical icon as it hosts a special screening of Gentleman: The Legend of Mike Ejeagha—a powerful documentary chronicling the life and legacy of the revered highlife musician. The event will take place on Thursday, April 24, 2025, during the Igbo AB class lecture at 10 a.m. ET, under the auspices of the African Language Program within the Department of African and African American Studies.
Directed by Michael Chineme Ike and produced by Micstreams Production Ltd., the documentary delves into Ejeagha’s influential role in Nigerian music and his pioneering use of highlife as a vehicle for language preservation and cultural storytelling. Through a blend of interviews, rare archival footage, and rich narrative insights, the film traces Ejeagha’s journey from his early days to his enduring influence on contemporary Nigerian culture.
Active since the 1960s, Mike Ejeagha is celebrated for his unique ability to weave proverbs, folklore, and wisdom into music—often delivered in the Igbo language. His songs are more than entertainment; they are repositories of traditional knowledge and moral instruction, passed down through generations in melodic form.
Premiered in Enugu in December 2024, the documentary has already sparked conversations around the significance of preserving indigenous languages and oral traditions through art. Harvard’s screening reflects the growing academic and cultural interest in African music as a powerful tool for education and heritage preservation.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with director Michael Chineme Ike, offering a platform for deeper discussion on the challenges and importance of documenting African artistic expression.
As global interest in African narratives continues to rise, Gentleman: The Legend of Mike Ejeagha serves as both a tribute and a call to action—celebrating a legend whose music continues to resonate across Nigeria and within the global Igbo-speaking diaspora.
