Juju Music Icon Professor Y.K. Ajao Dies at 72; Tributes Pour in for the "National Juju King"

The Juju music industry mourns the death of "National Juju King" Professor Y.K. Ajao. Read about his journey from Iseyin to musical royalty.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Peoples Gazette

Loss of a Juju Legend

The Juju music community in Nigeria has been hit by the loss of one of its most distinctive voices, Yekini Kolawole Ajao, popularly known as Professor Y.K. Ajao. His death was officially confirmed on Friday, April 17, 2026, by the Ajegunle Juju Musicians’ Association of Nigeria (AJUMN), Lagos State chapter. In a statement released by the association, Ajao’s passing was described as a monumental loss to the music family. Colleagues and fans alike have expressed shock at the news, with burial arrangements expected to be shared by the family in the coming days.

The Rise of the "Professor"

Born in Iseyin, Oyo State, Ajao’s journey to musical stardom was marked by significant personal resilience. Coming from a lineage of traditional chiefs (baales), his parents initially disapproved of his musical ambitions, leading him to apprentice as a tailor and briefly train in nursing. However, inspired by the legendary I.K. Dairo, he persisted, eventually forming the Y.K. Ajao Professional Brothers Band in 1973. He famously earned the title "Professor" in 1974 after a performance at NTA Lagos so impressed producer Art Alade that he declared Ajao a "professor of music" on air.

Reconciliation and Professional Milestones

Ajao’s career was defined by both his musical innovation and his personal narrative of redemption. A fallout with his father over his career choice meant he was initially forbidden from using the family name, but the two reconciled in 1978 after his father witnessed the massive crowd gathered for his son's first trip to the United Kingdom. Throughout his career, Ajao released several influential projects, including the "Makosa Series 1" and hits like "Akoni Mamu" and "Oro NEPA." His standing in the industry was solidified when King Sunny Adé crowned him the "National Juju King" during a high-profile promotion event in the late 1970s.