By Ncheta Nd’igbo

Born on August 14, 1937, in Eke, Udi LGA, Enugu State, Kevin Nsochukwu Ejiofor embodies the excellence of a distinguished generation of Nigerian broadcasters who elevated sports commentary to an art form. Alongside him were greats like Sebastian Ofurum, Ernest Okonkwo, Yemi Fadipe, Dele Adetiba, Yinka Craig, and Ishola Folorunsho—the founder and guiding force in the profession.

But Kevin Ejiofor’s impact extends far beyond the realm of sports commentary.

His illustrious career, spanning more than fifty years, has encompassed broadcasting and marketing communications.

His journey began in February 1958 when he was personally interviewed by Prof. Kenneth Onwuka Dike, the first Director of the National Archives. He started as an archive assistant at the National Archives in Abadina Village, Ibadan. By May 1958, he was transferred to Enugu to open the Colliery Avenue branch of the National Archives.

In 1965, while emceeing an event, a guest recognised his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in radio broadcasting. By May 1966, he was employed as a Programme Assistant/Presenter at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).

Throughout his career, Kevin Ejiofor has held numerous prominent positions, including Presenter and Producer for Radio Biafra (1967-1970); Producer/Commentator for Sports and Outside Broadcasts at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); Scriptwriter/Producer for Drama and Head of Talks at Voice of Nigeria (VoN) (1971-1985); Chief Information Officer/Director of Information for the old Anambra State (which included present-day Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi states) (1985-1989); Corporate Affairs Manager at Cadbury Nigeria PLC (1989-1997); Founder/CEO of Image Consultant Limited, Lagos (1997-2002); Executive Director of FRCN Enugu National Station (2002-2005); Acting Director-General of FRCN (2005-2006); and CEO of City FM Lagos (2008-2010).

Ejiofor also served as President of URTNA, the Pan-African union of radio and television organisations. His leadership led to the rebranding of URTNA as the Africa Union of Broadcasting (AUB). In recognition of his transformative work, Nigeria was unanimously chosen to retain the presidency of the new Union.

Although he retired from the FRCN in 2007, Ejiofor’s passion for broadcasting did not wane. In 2008, he became the promoter and founding Managing Director of City FM Lagos, a role he held for three years before returning to Enugu, his hometown.

A well-traveled man, Kevin Ejiofor is a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, a Registered Practitioner of Advertising in Nigeria, a member of the Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON), and a board member of the Christopher Kolade Foundation (CKF) Lagos.

Never one to remain idle, Kevin Ejiofor is the initiator and founding board member of the Music Society of Enugu (MUSE). He currently serves as the Registrar of the West Africa Broadcast Media Academy (WABMA) and the Honorary Executive Director of the Life in My City Art Festival—an annual pan-Nigerian festival for young artists, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. He also contributed to the Enugu Coal City Centenary Committee.

A true creative mind, Kevin Ejiofor’s hobbies include reading and praise singing. His plays and short stories have been broadcast on the BBC, NTA, and Radio Nigeria, and his articles have been published in The Guardian, Renaissance/Daily Star, and the Commonwealth Magazine and Media Review.

Today, we celebrate the accomplishments of Kevin Ejiofor as he celebrates his 87th birthday.