Popular Urhobo musician Johnson Adjan dies at 82

By Nehru Odeh

Popular Urhobo Musician Johnson Adjan has died at the age of 82. The news of his death has sent shock waves through Urhobo land. Adjan, who was known by the moniker, Professor Johnson Adjan, Ogburine (song warrior), is one of the greatest musicians the Urhobo people in the Niger Delta have produced. His music career spanned over 50 years.

Born Johnson Ositejivwore Oyiborode Adjan on 2nd January 1944 at Afiesere, his maternal community, he was an indigene of Ofuoma-Ughelli in Delta State.

Growing up at Orhoakpor, he accompanied his parents to the Igbe-Ame sect, and the rites and worship song of that sect strongly influenced d his music. His mentors were Chiefs Omokomoko Osokpa and Djanere, foremost Urhobo musicians

Daniel Adarighofua Emmanuel wrote:

“His music has been described as pulsating, profoundly philosophical, with proverbs, legends and myths that light up Urhobo indigenous knowledge. His voice, lyric clarity and beats dominated Urhobo households from the early 1980s.”

He had his international debut in 1970 when he first visited London to perform before an Urhobo audience. Because of the profoundity of his music, he has also gained academic recognition. Dr. Peter Udi’s University of Ibadan doctoral thesis focused on the psychotherapeutic essence of Adjan’s songs.

Adjan was more than a musician. He was a custodian of Urhobo culture, philosophy and worldview. His songs taught values, history and wisdom to generations from Ibadan to Evwreni. The title “Professor” was an honorific earned through his deep knowledge of Urhobo oral tradition and music.

When Adjan celebrated his 80th birthday, Professor Sunny Awhefeada, academic, scholar and Vice- Chancellor, Southern Delta University, Ozoro, paid tribute to him in an article entitled, “Johnson Adjan, The Ogburine, At 80” , which was published in Daily Independent on January 5, 2024.

The tribute read, partly, thus

“Adjan caught the imagination of my gen­eration in the early 1980s when we were still primary school pupils. The meaning of his songs at that age was lost on us, but the beauty of its lyric, its capacity to make you want to sing along or do a jig, the clarity and sonority of his voice were unparalleled. From Ibadan to Evwreni, which my childhood straddled, the songs of Johnson Adjan dominated the music diet in every Urhobo household.

” Growing up and becoming adults, able to look the world in the face and interrogate its many oddities, the songs of Johnson Adjan made meaning to us. We embraced its philos­ophy, memorized its poetry, relished its lyrics and danced to its beats. The many proverbs, legends and myths which popu­late his songs lit up our paths in the quest for Urhobo indigenous knowledge system. His songs validated the philosophical in­tegrity of Urhobo worldview.”

In recent times he battled health challenges, which included stroke and prostate condition. A fundraiser was organized by his friend Pat White to support his treatment.

Following concerns about his health, his family released a statement on his Facebook page on May 14, 2025, thanking all Urhobo people and fans for their support, while assuring them of the improvement in his health.

The post read:

This is a thank you message from Professor Johnson Adjan Oyiborode, the ogburine of Urhobo land and his entire family to all Urhobo people and everyone names withheld because we cannot mention everybody who showed him love and support.

“Daddy is getting better and we pray he live the rest of his days in good health. God and you all made it possible. Words alone will not be enough to show his appreciation, he prayed that God who is the rewarder of all things will reward each and everyone of you. Please keep Showing your love and support, Thank you all,