Painter, designer and typographer, born in Onitsha, Nigeria. In his early teens he won a national school art competition in Nigeria, then came to England, finishing his initial education in Norfolk. Studied at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts, 1949–52, having been encouraged to seek London art education in Nigeria by the sculptor Ben Enwonwu. Egonu travelled widely in Europe, supporting himself by lecturing and selling his work. Back in London in 1954 he was lucky to find a private patron for several years. Egonu began as a naturalistic painter, but his painted world became more stylized as he parted company with straight realism “to explore all the possibilities to use form”. Took part widely in group shows in Europe. One-man exhibitions included Commonwealth Institute, 1973 and 1982; Black-Art Gallery and Royal Festival Hall, 1986.