Born in Nimo, Nigeria, Uche Okeke studied at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology in Zaria. He became a central figure of the Zaria Art Society, a group of students who sought to reconcile Western artistic techniques with indigenous Nigerian cultural heritage, a movement that became known as Natural Synthesis.

His practice was deeply influenced by the Uli art tradition of the Igbo people, characterized by fluid, calligraphic lines and symbolic motifs. Working in diverse media including painting, drawing, and sculpture, Okeke utilized these traditional aesthetics to articulate a distinctively Nigerian modern identity.

Okeke's legacy remains a cornerstone of African art history, with his contributions frequently highlighted in major institutional surveys. His work is slated for inclusion in the upcoming exhibition of Nigerian modernism at the Tate Modern, which examines the evolution of the country's artistic production throughout the 20th century.