Adamu Agbende (died 27 August 2009) was a celebrated Tiv trumpeter, dancer, and musician from Benue State, Nigeria. Known for his virtuosity on the trumpet and his acrobatic dance performances, Agbende elevated Tiv musical performance and entertainment, both locally and internationally. He was recognized for his lifelong dedication to music and his efforts to preserve and develop Tiv artistic traditions.
Adamu Agbende hailed from Tongov in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. He had five years of formal education at Anglican Primary School, Zaki-Biam (1971–1975). His early exposure to music came through his relations, Torgba Nenger and Tarnum Wachihi, who encouraged him to learn the trumpet, known as Gida in Tiv and Hausa culture.
Agbende’s mother organized local women into a dance group, which initially struggled to find reliable trumpeters. This inspired Agbende and his peers to learn and master the trumpet, with Agbende later refining his skills by playing discarded trumpets and practicing diligently.
Adamu Agbende’s career in music began after experiences in Gboko, where he worked in various jobs including yam pounding, beer selling, and as a motor boy, while performing occasional dances. He joined the group of Mbatierevde Matar, a renowned Tiv musician, performing at venues like the New State Hotel in Gboko.
An opportunity arose while performing at a burukutu joint in Zaki-Biam, where his impromptu dancing drew larger payments than his prior monthly earnings as a mail runner. This prompted him to commit fully to entertainment. Agbende subsequently performed with the Bodi Igbum Band, touring major towns in northern Nigeria including Kano, Katsina, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, and Yola, and later accompanied Mbatierevde to Kaduna, Zaria, and Pambegwa.
In 1998, Mr. Iyorwuese Ligom, former Director of the Benue State Arts Council, discovered him during a performance in Abuja and recruited him to the Benue State Arts Council Troupe. Over 11 years with the troupe, Agbende performed across Nigeria and internationally, visiting Venezuela, France, Ghana, Mexico, Cuba, and Canada.
In 1984, Agbende established his own band and initially played multiple roles, including dancing and trumpet performance. Audience feedback encouraged him to specialize in the trumpet, where he excelled.
Adamu Agbende was known for combining trumpet mastery with acrobatic dance, creating performances that were both musically and visually captivating. His style built on the foundation laid by the late Orshio Adaaker, elevating Tiv trumpeting to a higher standard. Agbende drew inspiration from Hausa musicians such as Dan Maraya and Mamman Shata, who performed actively into old age.
His performances were marked by energetic displays, cultural storytelling, and technical skill, which inspired younger generations of Tiv musicians and preserved traditional performance art.
Agbende was deeply committed to music until his death. He criticized the tendency of Tiv musicians to abandon their craft due to age, advocating for lifelong engagement in artistic practice. To secure his post-retirement livelihood, he planted an orchard of palm trees, oranges, mangoes, and coconuts, reflecting foresight and prudence, though he did not live long enough to benefit from it.
Adamu Agbende passed away on 27 August 2009, leaving behind a legacy as one of Tivland’s greatest trumpeters and entertainers. His contributions to music, dance, and performance continue to influence Tiv cultural expression and serve as a benchmark for future generations of musicians.
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