Nigeria is very blessed with many gospel music artists who have made names for themselves over the years. The likes of Bola Are, Sammie Okposo (late), Buchi, Tope Alabi, Yinka Ayefele, Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, etc have over the years released hit gospel songs and have flown the Nigerian flag high on international stage. These veterans are followed keenly by a new wave of gospel artists in their youth stages but have taken the gospel world by storm. While there are many of them springing up daily, we have curated the top 10 of these young Nigerian gospel artists who are under 40 years of age.
Mercy Chinwo Blessed
Charismatic and energetic gospel singer Mercy Chinwo Blessed is one of the most influential Nigerian Gospel Artists. The vocalist who hails from Rivers State, was born on the 5th of September 1990. She is the first child and the first daughter of six children, raised by her mother after losing her father at a very young age.
Before hitting it in the Gospel Music industry, Mercy tried her hands in movies and some secular music, popularly winning the music competition, Nigerian Idol in 2012. She remained under the radar for years until she released her first single, “Testimony”, in 2015, and another single “Igwe” in 2016.
In 2017, she signed a contract with Gospel Music Label EeZee Conceptz, and dropped several songs as a build up to her debut album ‘The Cross My Gaze’ which was released in 2018. Her first album was in 2018, “The cross my Gaze”. She has released a second album since then. Heralbums which contain a collection of soul-uplifting gospel songs were well accepted by the public, both young and old alike, as well as non-christians. These songs are still trending in the Christian space.
Mercy Chinwo has also been featured by many top artists in their songs and these include, Dunsin Oyekan, Joe Praize, Chris Morgan, Chioma Jesus, etc.
Mercy has achieved great success compared to other veteran musicians. In 2018, she was crowned Best Gospel Artists at the CLIMAX Awards. A year later, she won three awards at the inaugural Africa Gospel Awards Festival (AGAFEST 2019). She beat stiff competition from Sinach, Tim Godfrey among others to win; Africa Gospel New Artist of the Year, Africa Gospel Female Artist of the Year and Africa Gospel Song of the Year. In 2019, she also won the African Muzik Magazine Award (AFRIMMA) for the best gospel artist of the year, beating the likes of the late Papa Dennis, Willy Paul, Gloria Muliro, Diana Hamilton, Winnie Mashaba among others.
Mercy is married to Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, the Resident Pastor of “The Waterbrook Church” (TWB), which was founded in 2009 with a focus of reaching out to the “unchurched”.
Limoblaze
Urban Gospel Afropop, Afrobeat and Rap Artiste and Songwriter, Samuel Imo Owobuiko, popularly known by the stage name “Limoblaze” is one of the raving Nigeria gospel artists at the moment. Limoblaze isn’t only recognized in Nigeria but in some Western Nations due to how his music connects to Youths. His unique style of gospel music was influenced by the music of Christian rappers such as Lecrae and others such as the Ambassador, Andy Mineo, Da TRUTH, Tedashi, and many others.
He started his career officially as an independent and unsigned music recording artist and started with his first song titled “Memories” . The widely accepted song gave him much more motivation as he went on to record other amazing songs like Grace, Unconditional, Wrong Ways, For the King which featured an American rapper Los of (HGA). He has collaborated with gospel artists such as Ada Ehi, Travis Greene, Da Truth, and lately Lecrae & Elevation Worship with whom he released the 2022 song – Jireh Remix.
In recognition of his hard work, Limoblaze has received notable award nominations like the Crystal awards 2015. In 2019, Limoblaze emerged winner of the BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT award at the Premier Gospel Awards which was held in London. He won in a category that included top gospel stars such as Tim Godfrey, Todd Dulaney, Osby Berry, Jonathan McReynolds, Chevelle Franklyn, Phil Thompson, Tasha Cobbs, Joe Mettle, and Koyrn Hawthorne. Limoblaze is also Two-time African Gospel Music and Media Awards (AGMMA) winner and Premier Gospel best international act of 2019.
Though a native of Bende local government in Abia state Nigeria, Limoblaze was raised in Makurdi, Benue State. Limoblaze was born on the 25th September 1995. He studied Biochemistry at the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria during which he joined the Day Star Church. He is married to his longtime Writer and Poet girlfriend, Favour Emma.
Ada Ehi
Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, recording and performing artist, Ada Ogochukwu Ehi popularly known as Ada Ehi is an Imo State born star is one of the few Nigerian gospel artists whose songs had claimed the number-one spot on iTunes Nigeria on the same day; her third studio album, Future Now, which debuted on October 16, 2017 made this record.
Born 18 September 1987), Ada started her musical career at the age of 10 as a backup singer for child star Tosin Jegede. Since she professionally started her music career under Loveworld Records in 2009, she has increasingly gained local and international popularity through her songs and music videos. Her debut album Undenied was released in November 2009. Lifted & So Fly, a two-disc album, was released in November 2013.
In 2017, Ada was named on YNaija’s list of “100 Influential Christian Personalities in Nigeria”. She won the 2017 Groove Awards for West African Artist of the Year; being nominated alongside Frank Edwards, Sinach, Joe Praize and the Preachers. On 26 August 2021, she received her first YouTube Plaques for reaching 1 million subscribers on YouTube.
Some of her popular songs include, “I will sing”, “I testify”, “Fix My Eyes on You ft. Sinach”, “Testify”, etc.
Peterson Okopi
Dynamic worship leader, Peterson Okopi is a gospel artist who is known for his explosive worship sessions. His ministrations are always lit with the glorious presence of the holy spirit. Peterson was born on August 8, 1997 in Lagos Nigeria but hails from Benue state. He is a twin and the last born of 6 siblings. He grew up in the Nigerian Airforce Base in Ikeja Lagos where his father served as an air force personnel.
Peter’s journey to fame didn’t start today, as he participated at the Gospel talent hunt season 3, where he came third runner up for destiny child. After releasing his first single in 2015, it wasn’t until he released his popular album themed “ÒSÚBÀ” in 2021, that he began to get the much needed recognition. This opened him to lots of opportunities in the Gospel music industry in Nigeria and International.
Peter has ministered in some of the biggest church platforms and events in Africa such as MMPRAISE, a yearly music praise concert organised by the REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD to celebrate the birthday of their General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, COMMONWEALTH OF ZION ASSEMBLY (COZA), MASS CONCERT, REFLECTION CONCERT just to mention a few. He has also shared stages with top gospel music stars such as Chevele Franklin, Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, JUDIKAY, Efe Natha, B-JAY Sax, Victoria Orenze, etc.
Peter is currently a student of the National Open University of Nigeria (Noun) pursuing a B.Sc in Mass Communication.
Minister GUC
Minister GUC, born Gift Ugochi Christopher on the 8th October is a gospel musician. He is known for his touching gospel music. GUC is one of the finest gospel music ministers in Nigeria.He hails from Emohua LGA, Port-Harcourt, a local government area in Rivers State, Nigeria, and is a graduate of the University of Port-Harcourt
GUC came into the limelight with his soul-lifting song “Desperate” and has recorded achievements with the release of the video. His signing into the EeZee Conceptz in 2019, added more to his success – EeZee Conceptz is the same music label with Mercy Chinwo, Judikay, and Chris Morgan.
GUC has released a series of gospel singles which many Christians testified to be divine. His hit single, All that Matters, has more than 9 million streams on YouTube alone, making it one of his successful tracks. As a Gospel music minister, GUC has credited his ministry inspiration first to God and then to patriarchs in Christendom. One specific reference is to Pastor David Ogbueli who God used mightily to stir up the hunger for revival in his spirit while he was an undergraduate in the university.
His popular songs are “All that matters”, “Obinigwe”, “Omemma”, “Captured my heart”, “Akamna Nkwe”, “Sound of Revival”, to mention a few. Minister GUC is married to Nkpoikana Ntuk (Nene Ntuk), his long-time fiance and they are blessed with a child who was born on 6th March 2022.
Bidemi Olaoba
When it comes to Gospel High Life music in a Fuji Style in the gospel industry in Nigeria, few come close to Bidemi Olaoba, a young and charismatic singer who has made a name for himself. His signature, “the bible says”, has stood him ahead of the rest in his field. Born Abidemi Ayodeji Ogunmolu, but more known as Bidemi Olaoba was born on 15th October 2023, to a Christian family of Six in Lagos, Nigeria. He comes from Ikale Okitipupa, Ondo State.
Bidemi studied Civil Engineering at the Yaba College Of Technology, Lagos and Economics at the University Of Lagos, Nigeria.
Bidemi has six studio singles, two live performance compilations, and collaborations with gospel artists. Olaoba travelled to Europe, America and African nations, he held virtual concerts and is the pioneer of the virtual concert Unrestricted Praise, which started in 2020 and featured gospel artists including Buchi, Tope Alabi, Mike Abdul, Adeleke Adeboye, Eben, and Samie Okposo.
Moses Bliss
Moses Bliss is a Nigerian Gospel minister, based in Abuja, a Gospel Artiste, pianist, Drummer , Vocal Coach, Music Director of The Engraced Music Crew (TEM crew) and CEO of TEM planet. He was born on the 20th of February 1995 to a family which hails from Akwa Ibom, Nigeria; he has two siblings .
Moses is signed under the Loveworld Record Label and popularly known for his gospel Hit singles “ Too Faithful, Bigger Everyday, You I Live For, E No Dey (Fall My Hand), Daddy wey dey pamper, etc.
The song, “bigger everyday” brought the talent of the singer to a wide array of music lovers locally and globally. He has been nominated on several occasions and has also won himself some Awards. He won best music of the year 2020 with his song “You I Live for” at LIMA Awards organised by Christ Embassy. Founder, Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has splashed $100,000 on young Nigeria gospel artiste.
Moses Bliss released his much anticipated album titled “Too Faithful” on the 16th of May 2021, at bliss experience 2021 a musical concert he organised for launching his album. The album had in attendance many gospel and secular artists, which is a testament to how much he is loved. In the same year , Global independent music distribution and marketing company, Symphonic Distribution, announced the signing of the Nigerian Gospel super talent, to a worldwide distribution deal.
Moses has shared the stage with a lot of Gospel Greats like Sinach, Tye Tribbett, Samsong, Sonnie Badu, Buchi, Tim Godfrey and Minister Joe Praise among others.
Yinka Alaseyori
Adeyinka Adeyemi, popularly known as Yinka ALaseyori is a very talented gospel music artist and songwriter, famed for the sensational song, “Oniduro”. This release of the song was the beginning of her steady rise. Adept with the skills to thrill her audience into dancing, her sonorous voice resounds like that of an angel.
The native of Ondo State and the first of four children was bred in Lagos. She was raised by her grandmother due to her parent’s marital crisis which led to their separation. Adeyinka Alaseyori finished from Methodist Girls High School, after which she gained admission to the Lagos State Polytechnic LASPOTECH, where she had a diploma in accountancy. She later proceeded to NOUN National Open University of Nigeria to bag a bachelor’s degree.
Yinka Alaseyori started her music career in 2011 after years of featuring as a chorister in her church, Christ Apostolic Church. Her debut album “Alaseyori”, brought her attention to people and she has not looked back.
Yinka is married to her husband and manager, Prince Dave Akinyemi and they have two children. She is currently signed to Daveakins communication and her popular songs include, “Aye Ope yo”, “Edara ft Mike Adekunle”, “Ola Atobiju”, “Arojinle”, etc.
Judikay
Judith Kanayo, popularly known as Judikay, is a Nigerian gospel musician, singer and songwriter, signed to Eezee Conceptz
Judikay hails from Southern part of Nigeria and is a graduate of Theatre and Film Studies from The Redeemers University.
One of her earliest singles More Than Gold has become a favourite chorus sung in Churches and Christian fellowships around the world
Judikay was formerly a back-up singer for Florocka until she released her own single. She has shared the stage with renowned gospel ministers and musicians such as the high pitched Frank Edwards, Chioma Jesus, Joe Praize, Tim Godfrey and Mercy Chinwo.
Judikay won the Best Breakthrough Minister Female award at 2020 Maranatha Awards along with other nominations for her song Song of Angels (Ndi Mo Zi) and debut album Man of Galilee. Some of her songs include More than Gold, Capable God, Nothing Else, Song of Angels, Idinma
Judikay is happily married to great worshipper Anselem opara , The lovely couple tied the knot in a traditional marriage ceremony on the 15th of August.2020.
Folabi Nuel
Minister Folabi Nuel who many call ‘the Nigerian Travis Greene’ is an anointed gospel singer, songwriter, worship leader and musician. Born on the 7th of January 1992, the Lagos based minister who studied at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. He is the current worship leader at LifePointe Church (the young adult expression of Elevation Church, Lagos). A passionate worship singer with a unique style of music and vocal agility similar to that of Travis Greene, he is very passionate about gospel music and he believes that gospel music is very broad and should not be streamlined to just singing in the Church. Some of his soul lifting albums are Revival Is In The Air (RIITA), Hunger – From Our Heart to Yours (Live), Good God, Bobibi, Songs from My Bedroom
FN as he is also known, is an author, podcast host and a good preacher of God’s Word. He is the author of ‘In My Boat’, a fourteen days devotional available on YouVersion with over 12, 000 subscriptions and over 10,000 completions.
Minister Folabi Nuel is happily married to his heartthrob, Mrs. Gboremi Nuel. They got married on 2nd September, 2022 and together, they are carrying on the mandate of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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