From Archiving to Ariya Eko, Bimbo Esho Champions Nigeria’s Musical Heritage

Bimbo Esho, daughter of the late music archivist Femi Esho, is set to headline the 2025 edition of Ariya Eko, a landmark cultural festival in Lagos State that celebrates indigenous Nigerian music, featuring legendary artists and bridging the gap between generations, she tells Yinka Olatunbosun

Her late father, Femi Esho, began collecting music at the age of 12 and went on to build an extensive archive of Nigerian music, which Bimbo has since expanded upon. Building on this foundation, Evergreen Musical Company Limited has evolved into a comprehensive cultural repertoire, encompassing the Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving Nigeria’s musical heritage and promoting music education. Additionally, the Evergreen Music Heritage Centre, currently under construction in Anthony Village, Lagos, will feature a state-of-the-art music museum, studio, theatre, and an event hall.

As a music archivist and promoter, Bimbo Esho has curated and promoted the works of renowned Nigerian artists, including Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Chief Ebenezer Obey, and Seyi Shodimu. With over 14 years of experience in the music industry, Bimbo has worked tirelessly to preserve Nigeria’s musical heritage for future generations, protect artists’ rights and royalties, and advocate for music education, professional management, and fair contracts to support the growth of the Nigerian music industry. Notable projects include the Nigeria Independence Parade of Stars and Dr. Victor Abimbola Olaiya’s 60 Years on Stage celebration.

But for this 2025 edition of Ariya Eko, Bimbo Esho is raising the roof. On October 5, Lagos will resonate with evergreen echoes as Ariya Eko returns to the city. As an initiative of Evergreen Musical Company Limited, Ariya Eko has become a defining cultural landmark in Lagos State, showcasing the city’s rich musical heritage. This evocative and nostalgic music festival highlights the diverse musical traditions of the Lagos people, from ancient roots to contemporary expressions, and has evolved into a significant cultural movement.

Conceived to combat the erasure of Lagos-rooted musical legends from public memory, Ariya Eko ensures these icons are honoured and not relegated to mere footnotes in history. The festival pays tribute to those who shaped Nigeria’s cultural space with their sound, giving these musicians new life through active re-engagement with today’s audiences.

In a recent virtual encounter, Bimbo Esho described Ariya Eko as a revival – a rebirth of interest in indigenous Nigerian music. “Our indigenous music, which seems to be in a comatose state, will be awakened by the Ariya Eko Festival,” she said confidently. “It will not only showcase our musical talents to the world but also promote our cultural economy globally, preserving our heritage and giving us a distinct musical identity.”

The 2025 edition of Ariya Eko is part of the events marking “101 Days in Lagos,” a signpost of the cultural season, positioned to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence Day. The festival will feature seasoned music stars aged 70 and above, who have made significant contributions to the nation’s cultural landscape. Aside from live performances, the festival will include an award ceremony, symposium, and a session for young acts to perform classic songs from legendary musicians. Additionally, exhibitions of musical relics, books, and albums will be showcased, providing opportunities for networking with Nigerian music industry gatekeepers.

Expressing confidence in the security of the venue, Bimbo revealed that prestigious venues are carefully selected to ensure guest safety. “We are working with LASTMA officials and other security agencies to guarantee a secure environment,” she added. Protecting a cultural venue for an event that significantly contributes to the economy is a top priority. To achieve this, efforts are focused on collaborating with relevant agencies to manage both human and vehicular traffic effectively.

Beyond the entertainment, Ariya Eko educates music fans about the remarkable achievements of indigenous musicians. “In the last edition, we highlighted Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey’s record-breaking 660 songs, and this year, we’ll showcase talents who’ve made significant contributions to Nigerian music globally,” Bimbo said.

Notably, album cover designer extraordinaire Lemi Ghariokwu is among this year’s awardees, having designed over 2,000 album sleeves for renowned artists like Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, and Miriam Makeba.
While Ariya Eko aims to promote Nigerian music from the aging generation, its appeal transcends age boundaries. As Bimbo, an anthropology graduate from the University of Ibadan, observes, “Every music genre has its unique audience. Afrobeats fans are predominantly youths under 30, with a few older enthusiasts, whereas our indigenous repertoire is mostly dominated by older generations with a small but growing interest from younger fans.”

Ariya Eko bridges this gap, providing a platform for like-minded fans of indigenous sounds to come together and encouraging younger generations to follow suit.

To further crystallise Nigeria’s cultural history through indigenous music, the music archivist has meticulously documented music from artistes of diverse ethnicities. This effort involves preserving musical relics and collaborating with surviving family members to ensure their contributions to the vibrant Nigerian music scene are recognised. “We’ve successfully preserved the relics and rights of some of these artists for future generations and given them their rightful place in the industry,” she noted.
Some notable veterans set to perform on the Ariya Eko stage include Bolojo music pioneer Chief Tunde Elegbede, aka King Jossy Friday, Evangelist Funmi Aragbaiye, and Pa Ajobiewe, among others.

The Ariya Eko festival will also honour a distinguished group of artistes with awards. Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey MFR, 84, a legendary figure in Juju music, will be recognised for his contributions. King Jossy Friday, 85, pioneer of Bolojo music, will also be honoured. Ken Caleb Olumese, 81, renowned as the King of Lagos Nightlife, and General Kollington Ayinla, 72, a Fuji music maestro, are among the awardees. Additionally, Elder Tunde Kelani, 77, an award-winning cinematographer and filmmaker, will be celebrated for his work. Evangelist J.A. Adelakun “Amona”, a gospel music icon, and Ghariokwu Lemi, 69, a world-renowned designer of iconic album covers, will also receive awards.