Victor Olaiya (December 31, 1930 – February 12, 2020) was a Nigerian highlife musician and trumpeter. He was one of the pioneers of highlife music in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Early Life and Education
Victor Olaiya was born on December 31, 1930, in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. He grew up in Lagos where his parents migrated to when he was still a baby. He studied music at Howard University in the United States and later furthered his education by studying business administration, marketing, and advertising in the United Kingdom.
Career
Victor Olaiya started his music career as a teenage apprentice with the famous musician, Bobby Benson. He played with several bands and went on to form his own band called the ‘Cool Cats’ in 1954. He became popular for his unique blend of highlife music and jazz, which found fans both locally and internationally.
Victor Olaiya has recorded over 100 albums and composed several hit songs. He has performed on stages worldwide, including Canada, United States, and other African countries.
Discography
| Title | Year |
| Omo Pupa | 1965 |
| The Evil Men | 1966 |
| Aigana | 1970 |
| Misi Oga | 1972 |
| Patience | 1975 |
| Omopupa Part 2 | 1985 |
You can stream some of his songs on Boomplay.
Personal Life
Victor Olaiya was married and had children.
Cars and House
There is no specific information about Victor Olaiya’s cars and house.
Net Worth
According to sources, Victor Olaiya’s net worth was estimated to be:
- $1 million (USD)
- ₦381 million (Nigerian Naira)
- CA$1.3 million (Canadian Dollar)
- GHS5.6 million (Ghana Cedi)
- KSh108 million (Kenya Shilling)
- R17 million (South African Rand)
- USh3.7 billion (Uganda Shilling)
- ₹73.9 crore (Indian Rupee)
Victor Olaiya’s music legacy will always be remembered by his fans across the world. You can follow him on Facebook and Instagram.