Victor Uwaifo’s Biography: net worth, family, wife, death
Nigerian legendary musician, Victor Uwaifo was many things altogether. For many who don’t he was a writer, sculptor, and musical instrument inventor, University lecturer, among others.
Victor Uwaifo was also a role model to many modern-day Nigerian musicians, with some having remixed some of his songs.
He was well known within and outside Nigeria as he had a number of awards to his name. He emerged the winner of the first gold disc in Africa (Joromi) released in 1965; he also had seven other gold discs in Guitar boy, Arabade, Ekassa series and Akwete music.
To know more about the legendary musician, continue reading this article.
Profile Summary
Name | Victor Efosa Uwaifo |
Date of Birth | March 1st 1941 |
Age | 80 |
Date of death | August 28th 2021 |
Profession | Musician, Guitarist |
Nationality | Nigerian |
State of Origin | Edo State |
Victor Uwaifo
His full name is Victor Efosa Uwaifo, and he was born on the 1st of March 1941 in Benin, Edo state. There are no details of who his parents were. There are also no details of who his siblings are.
Education
He attended the Western Boys’ High School Benin and St Gregory’s College, Lagos, from 1957 to 1961 for his secondary school education. He later gained admission to study Graphics at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos and graduated at 22 years old.
He bagged a bachelor’s degree with first-class honours at 54 years old (Valedictorian) and owned a master’s degree from the University of Benin, where he studied Fine and Applied Arts and majored in Sculpture. Victor Uwaifor was considered one of the most educated musicians in the world.
Career
He had taken an interest in music from when he was a child and was already playing the guitar at 12. He started his music career in Benin, Edo state, and continued playing when he moved to St Gregory’s College Lagos. He, alongside Segun Bucknor were among the leading Lagos school band leaders during those periods. Whenever he was on holiday, he jammed with Olaiya’s All-Stars Band.
He also performed with E.C Arinze’s highlight after he graduated from secondary school and also worked with the likes of Stephen Osadebe and Fred Coker. In 1965, he formed his band, Melody Maestros and released his hit song Joromi which was a hit in Nigeria and many other West African countries.
He put Nigeria on the global map in 1996, when he became the winner of the first Golden record In Nigeria, West Africa and Africa (presented by Philips, West Africa) for his song “Joromi.”
Apart from music, he was a sculptor and had his art gallery where he showed some of his arts.
Personal life
He liked swimming, bodybuilding, gaming, reading and writing.
Until his death, he was a Christian and was married to Princess Osaretin Uwaifo; their union was blessed with Children.
Death
Victor Uwaifo died on the 28th of August 2021 at the age of 80 of pneumonia and not Covid-19 complications, according to Vanguards reports.
Net Worth
His net worth is valued between $1m to $10million, which comes majorly from his music career.