Lazarus Edward Nnanyelu Ekwueme

EARLY LIFE

Professor Lazarus Edward Nnanyelu Ekwueme (born January 28, 1935), popularly known as Laz Ekwueme, is a renowned Nigerian musicologist, composer, scholar, actor, and traditional ruler. He was born in Oko, Anambra State, into the royal family. He attended Government College Umuahia before pursuing musical studies at the Royal College of Music, London, where he majored in composition and earned 10 diplomas in music, speech and drama. He also obtained a bachelor's degree from the University of Durham and later earned a Ph.D. in Music Theory from Yale University, with a dissertation on Ibo Choral Music: Its Theory and Practice (1972).

CAREER

Upon returning to Nigeria, Ekwueme took up a faculty position at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he helped establish and shape the Department of Music. He later moved to the University of Lagos, becoming a Professor of Music and a research fellow in the Center for Cultural Studies. His work revolutionized music education in Nigeria by introducing African-centered curricula. He founded the Laz Ekwueme National Chorale in 1974, a professional choral ensemble that gained national and international acclaim. He was also the coordinator of the Nigerian National Choir at the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (Festac ’77). Ekwueme also had a notable acting career, participating in stage plays and BBC African Service productions in the UK, and later featuring in several Nollywood films such as World Apart (2004), Treasure Hunt (2007), and The Law Students (2006). In 1999, he was crowned Igwe of Oko, adopting the regnal title Igwe (Professor) Lazarus Ekwueme, with his reign marked by efforts in cultural advocacy and community development.

PERSONAL LIFE

Professor Lazarus Ekwueme is the younger brother of the late Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, Nigeria’s first elected Vice President. The Ekwueme family is known for its contributions to national progress and cultural preservation. He is married with three children—two sons (a scientist and an architect) and one daughter (in education and communication). His home is described as a cultural haven where music, literature, education, and Igbo customs intersect. He continues to mentor younger generations and offer counsel on cultural heritage and music education.