NG@62: 62 Nigerian Songs That Will Remain Evergreen

The Nigerian music industry particularly is rife with rising stars and long-standing music maestros (dead and alive) of Highlife, Afrobeat, Juju, Fuji, Reggae, R&B, and so on.

Some of the songs that were curated from the 1930s to 2012 remain evergreen not just because of the lyrics or rhythm, but because of the messages within each line of the songs.

We have compiled 62 of these songs to commemorate Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Anniversary.  In no particular order, we have:

1. Seun Rere – Christy Essien Igbokwe. This beautiful song is a song that advises children to behave well so that they can be successful in life. I remember how every school day this song is playing quietly but loud enough in our living room, as we got ready for school.
2. Sweet Mother – Prince Nico Mbarga. This song is the number one song for celebrating Nigerian mothers especially on their birthdays and on Mother’s day. Men and women alike use it to celebrate their mothers.
3. Osondi Owendi – Chief Osita Osadebe. I have heard this song a million times. It is a classic highlife from the Eastern part of Nigeria. This is one of those songs that in the words of Trybesmen, ‘whether you like am or you know like am, de tin be say, you go still dey shake body. Try it.
4. Iyogogo – Onyeka Onwenu. The song is a mix of Igbo and English languages. Iyele, Iyele, Iyele… I have been missing you… why don’t you stay… do you love me are the main lyrics of this song. There is absolutely no dull moment in this song.
5. Guitar Boy (If You See Mami Water) – Sir Victor Uwaifo. Every person in Nigeria must have heard the story of a mami water at least once in his or her life. This classic song by Sir Victor is a constant reminder of the myth or fact called Mami water.
6. Bumper To Bumper – Wande Coal. Once upon a time, Wande Coal was the hottest and most infectious artiste in the country. His party anthem, Bumper To Bumper, is capable of upending any gathering in the present day.
7. African Queen – 2Baba (formerly 2Face Idibia). Truly, every African woman is a queen. Tu Baba encapsulated this in the classic song that crisscrosses generations of women. This song embodies in its lyrics the beauty, strength, and intelligence of the African woman.
8. Ori Mi Ja Funmi – King Sunny Ade. Honestly, no single song of KSA’s songs is not timeless. This particular one is what I call strong prayer. In an environment where working is not enough but with a streak of good luck and God’s blessings, we will make it. This song calls on the Creator to fight and favor one’s course on earth.
9. One Love – Onyeka Onwenu. Another classic song by Nigeria’s queen of music. The song identifies with the fact that life is always not rosy but we can all be fine if love is our template. For a country, that is often delineated by ethnic and religious differences, this song is a unifier. Honestly, why do we fight? Life is not hard if we live with love.
10. Water No Get Enemy – Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Thousand have lived without water but no one can live without water. Fela Anikulapo Kuti released this song in 1975 but the message is still very relevant in our world today. Nobody can fight water. Nobody can do without water. The symbolism of water in the lyrics of this song is quite diverse but the key message is no one can live without water.
11. Omo Pupa – Victor Olaiya. There is a sense of preference that Nigerian men have for fair-skinned women over dark-skinned ones. . Well, this classic song is one of the tunes that buttresses that perception. The track is short and straight to the point that is, ‘I love omo pupa (a fair-skinned babe).
12. Let Them Say – King Sunny Ade. This song is what you call a banger in today’s terms. It simply tells you not to mind naysayers. No matter what they say, do not mind them, just ‘let them say’. Another unique thing about this song to date is that Let them say is now a slogan, you would even see vehicles on the road of Lagos with a sticker that reads it. It is indeed, a consolation to many to live their lives and not mind gossipers and cynics.
13. Aimasiko – Chief Ebenezer Obey. Aimasiko is a song by Ebenezer Obey talking about the lack of understanding of time by the human race. The song emphasises that everyone’s destiny resides with his or her Creator, and in a matter of time, he or she would fulfill it. The song also advises people not to feel threatened or intimidated by oppressors because our lives are in God’s hands.
14. Happy Birthday – Chief Ebenezer Obey. This song remains evergreen. The song wishes the celebrant a happy birthday and it is mostly played at birthday parties of people in their 40s and above.
15. Send Down the Rain – Majek Fashek. This song was indeed a prophetic song by Majek, a reggae maestro. It takes the listeners to the spiritual plane and calls on God to send down the rain so that sowers can reap what they have planted whether it be good or bad.
16. Ketekete – Ebenezer Obey. Ketekete is the Yoruba word for donkey. I like this song because of the story woven in the lyrics, which is both entertaining and educative. The moral of the song is that one can never please the world, so one should not even attempt trying because whatever one does people will still complain.
17. Love Me Jeje – Seyi Sodimu. This song is a love song describing how a lover desires to be loved ‘gently gently’ Jeje in Yoruba means gentle or gently. The song goes, ‘love me jeje, love me tenderly…’ A beautiful song. Who doesn’t want to be tenderly loved?
18. Olufunmi – Styl Plus. Styl Plus is one of the most popular R&B and pop trios. Olufunmi, a person’s name in Yoruba, and in this song, refers to a girl. The crux of the song is a lover’s plea to Olufunmi not to jilt him.  The song was one of the most popular love songs mostly played in its time.
19. Amono Tete Mabo – Pastor J. Adelakun. This is a song with depth and meaning. It is a call to the Creator to come and mend the world that is wallowing in moral decadence. At a burial ceremony party recently, this song was sung by a live band and everyone leaped to dance to it, a testimony of its evergreen status even though it’s in the gospel category.
20. Odun Nlo Sopin – C.A.C. Good women Choir. Everyone at one point or the other must have sung this song. It is mostly played at the end of the year, especially in December. It is a prayer embedded in a song. It asks the Almighty to keep our families and us from the imminent dangers rampant in the periods that end a year.
21. Odun Titun – King Sunny Ade. This is also a classic by King Sunny Ade. In it, he thanks God for the New Year and prays for it to be a fruitful one. The song is typically played at the beginning of the New Year.
22. Olomi Gbo Temi – Chief Ebenezer Obey. In this song, Chief Obey portrays a man pleading with his wife (lover) to remain united with him in love and service to each other and to defy all intruders.
23. Baby Mi Da (Baby jowo) – Dr. Victor Olaiya. This song has been making waves since its release by the highlife grandmaster, Victor Olaiya.  In this song, a man begs his baby (lover) not to go so they can enjoy themselves together. The song has earned some remixes by the younger generation of music stars like 2Baba.
24. Olo Mi – Tosin Martins. Olomi was released in 2006 and is a heartfelt love song that has been featured at countless wedding parties. Tosin Martins went to great lengths to shower his lover with praise while expressing satisfaction at what he has found.
25. Igwe – Midnight Crew. This gospel track shot Midnight Crew to the limelight. It was arguably the biggest Nigerian gospel song of all time upon its release and had two music videos.
26. Walakolombo – Alex Zitto. This song is a fusion of reggae, funk, and soul. It says, ‘Baby walakolombo baby walakolombo… you come chop my money, and you tell me say you love me…’ It was released in 1991 and was a daily tonic for both young and old.
27. Iyawo Olele – Dr. Orlando Owoh. Dr. Orlando is another talented Yoruba highlife artist.  This song is about the ways of a cantankerous wife with her husband and in-laws. You can play this song to either temper a troublesome wife or plead for her change of heart.
28. Oruka – Sunny Neji. Oruka means ring (in this case, a wedding ring). It advises that once a couple is married there should be no separation or interference by any third party. It was the trending theme song at most weddings in 2003/2004 with a mid-tempo rhythm for both the young and old.
29. Moso’rire – I.K Dairo. This song was released by IK Dairo in 1991 and was remixed by his son, Paul Play Dairo, who blended it into a trending Afro Beat. Dairo in this song let us know that every morning he literarily holds his head and entreats his Creator for success.
30. Naira Power – Chief Oliver De Coque. This song by Chief Oliver De Coque talks about the purchasing power of the Nigerian currency.
31. Allen Avenue – Weird MC. This song gives hype to Allen Avenue, one of the most beautiful places in Lagos. Also, home to the crème de la crème of those days.
32. Now or Never (Zi ga oh zi) – Sunny Okosun. Sonny Okosun is one of Nigeria’s best. He mixes reggae, highlife, and afro. Zi ga o zi is a song of freedom. It was released in 1986. In the first few lines of the song, he advises Africans to win Africa or lose it forever and for Nigerians to love Nigeria or lose (or keep) her forever. The song preaches on the sensitivity of time and for us to do right with it, now or never.
33. Konko Below – Lagbaja. The song encourages its listener to dance and go down low. It brought the masked man, popularly known as Lagbaja to the limelight.
34. Mma Mma – Buchi. The first line of the lyrics says, “The gospel is not for Sunday morning, Sunday morning alone…[ but it is mostly played on Sunday morning in typical Nigerian homes. Mma mma  is a gospel song that is themed on thanksgiving to God.
35. Joromi – Victor Uwaifo. This song is sung in the beautiful Bini language. It upholds the history of the legendary wrestler, Joromi, who defeated the seven-headed spirit of the underworld.
36. E No Easy – P-Square. This song came on board in 2009, adding fun and color to events, parties, and weddings. This song tells the story of the common person and encourages them not to ever give up but stay hopeful.
37. Gentleman – Fela Anikulapo Kuti. This song depicts Fela as a protagonist of the African culture. He subscribed that the African values should be expressed and not that of the ‘gentleman’ referring to the western culture superimposing it.
38. Afro Juju – Shina Peters. This song introduced Afro into Juju music.  The song brought the Afro Juju crooner into the limelight and remains evergreen in all parts of Nigeria. I once visited the North East of Nigeria between 2005 and 2006 and was surprised to hear this song booming from the speakers of a music shop.
39. Never Far Away – Lagbaja. This is a memorable romantic ballad that perfectly meshed Ego’s captivating vocals, Lagbaja’s laidback chants and his trademark talking drum. Its music video follows the reunion of two estranged lovers, portrayed by Lagbaja and Ego, with the camera cutting to an impressive choreography at intervals.
40. Greenland – T.Y. Bello. Greenland is an essential Nigerian track from the 2000s that could have temporarily passed as Nigeria’s national anthem. The melody is steady and upbeat, with its lyrics reassuring and hopeful.
41. President – African China. In this upbeat track from the early 2000s, African China appeals to the President, Governors, Senate, and police officers to own up to their responsibilities while drawing their attention to the deplorable state of the nation. This track remains relevant over fifteen years after its original release.
42. Let’s Live Together – Kush. In the early 2000s, the defunct group, Kush appeared on our screens with a cloudy backdrop, appealing to Nigerians to live in unity regardless of tribal divides. Almost fifteen years after its release and long after the group’s separation, the artists united to record a new version that served as the official track of the 2014 film adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel, Half of a Yellow Sun.
43. Wait For Me – Onyeka Onwenu and King Sunny Ade. The 1980s featured an iconic collaboration between two of the biggest Nigerian artists of the day, who happened to be of Igbo and Yoruba extraction. Wait For Me was recorded for the Planned Parenthood campaign and featured Onyeka Onwenu affirming to King Sunny Ade that abstinence from sexual intercourse was paramount in romantic relationships that are not prepared and ready for children.
44. Fire On The Mountain – Asa. A leading track from Asa’s eponymous debut album released in 2007, Asa touches on the social ills from a folk perspective and in a haunting manner. She said, ‘One day, the river will overflow/and there will be nowhere for us to go…’  The enduring status of the song was further affirmed in the middle of 2022 when she performed the track at the gala commemorating the launch of the NNPC’s corporate entity. Given the presence of national leaders at the event, many lauded her song choice and performance as a much-needed critique of the government.
45. Jaga Jaga – Eedris Abdulkareem. Before Afrobeats took over the Nigerian music terrain, rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem held the country’s attention with a couple of socially conscious songs, including Jaga Jaga. Like many socially conscious songs by Nigerian artists, the lyrics ring true in present-day Nigeria.  We pray for the restoration of law and order in Nigeria.
46. Won Kere Si Number – Fatai Rolling Dollar. While this song is more popular among the much older generation, many Nigerian millennials and Gen Zs have also heard it at some point. It is a joy-inducing song that brings back memories of calmer, less challenging times.
47. Oleku – Ice Prince (feat. Brymo). Over a decade after the release of Oleku, Nigerian hip-hop lovers refer to the song with fond memories. It features a memorable chorus by Brymo and three solid verses by former Chocolate City act, Ice Prince.
48. Fall In Love – D’Banj. Fall in love is arguably the second biggest solo act of the 2000s after 2Baba, D’Banj further solidified his place in the Nigerian music zeitgeist by recording a heartfelt love song and featuring one of the biggest Nollywood actors of all time, Genevieve Nnaji, in the song’s music video.
49. Esubiribiri Ebomi – King Sunny Ade. Esu biri biri ke bo mi o, iwaju loloko yi wa mi lo, eyin loloko yi wa mi lo mi o mo, mi o mo, mi o mo…  Esubiriri ebomi is a proverbial cry for help. It literarily means to gather around someone and protect him. In the song, KSA said he is not sure where the driver (Oloko) is taking him. Years later, after accruing so much success in his career, he composed another one that declared he now knows his destination and trusts the driver.
50. Esan Ko Gbogun – Evangelist Niyi Adedokun. This song talks about vengeance for everyone that has ever done evil. It calls evildoers to repentance, so they can avoid punishment.
51. If Love Is A Crime – 2Baba (formerly 2Face Idibia). In this track, 2Baba assures his love interest that he is ready to be convicted for the sake of love if need be. Its music video, shot in Ghana, featured 2Baba fixated on his love interest while driving to the point where he narrowly escaped death by a trailer explosion.
52. Taxi Driver – Bobby Benson. The song is about a man’s frustration over his wife who seems to be promiscuous. He tells her he does not care if she decides to go with a Taxi driver or any other driver for that matter. It seems in those days, being a Taxi Driver is quite a thing of pride.
    
53. Merciful God – King Sunny Ade.The song was released in 1987 and talks about God’s mercies, goodness, and protection. It is another timeless piece from the cradle of KSA.
54. Diana – Daddy ShowkeyThis song depicts the typical Nigerian married and barren woman’s woes and persecution by her in-laws. Eventually, God put Diana’s bad in-laws to shame by blessing her with a son.
55. Jailer – Asa. Jailer is a well-scripted song that describes the jailer as also in chains. It tells the jailer that he is the same as the prisoner because the same things plague both; chains, fear, and sin. It is a figurative way of telling those in power to simply be good and do good.
56. Under Pressure – Ras Kimono. This beautiful song was released in 1989. Ras Kimono like most Nigerian reggae artists is a protagonist of an African continent that is free of corruption, bad governance, and mental colonialism. This song echoes his ideals and the prevalence of hunger and poverty in both the villages and the cities.
57. Fuji Garbage – Chief (Dr.) Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. The song was released in the 80s. It was an introduction to a new style of fuji. In this song, Alhaji Agba encourages everyone, black and white, young and old to dance to fuji garbage. The song was a blend of Yoruba and English language. For maximum enjoyment, you must rise to dance to this song.
58. Rosie – Blackky. If you don’t know this song, when were you born? Blackky, Nya Edward Nyang released this hit song in 1991. In this song, he begs Rosie to dance with him and particularly appeals to her sensitivity as his friend are watching. Decades later, this song is still a sensation.
59. Legacy Part 1 – Wasiu Ayinde. This is an evergreen song by the sensational KWAM 1. It’s a medley of different fuji songs that were great hits at the time of their release in 1996. The song also has a reggae infusion, which is the first of its kind. The track is sweet from beginning to end.
60. Songs of Praise (Medley) – Evangelist Sunny Okosun. Sonny Okosun in the later part of his life became a gospel artiste. One of them is the Songs of Praise medley that is nothing short of his signature sound of reggae, highlife, and afro.
61. Gentle Lady ni mi – Congratulation – Alhaja Queen Salawa Abeni. The woman popularly known as the Waka queen released the song in 1993 in the Congratulation record. Waka is a genre of Yoruba music that is prevalent amongst Yoruba Muslims. In this song, she admits to being a ‘gentle lady’ and not a fighter i.e. a troublemaker.  She sold over a million copies of this record.
62. Ifeoma – Felix Liberty. Felix, popularly called ‘lover boy’ released Ifeoma in the late 80s. In the song, he expresses his desire to marry Ifeoma and pleads for her to love him in return.

Undoubtedly, there are more than 62 evergreen songs by Nigerian artists; this compilation is in no way finite. Now hurry to your music store to enjoy them again and remember to share them with your friends and families.

Happy 62^nd Independence Anniversary to all Nigerians! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!