7 Evergreen Nigerian Gospel Artists

The Nigerian gospel music industry has undergone a period of evolution and revolution in recent years, with many new artists coming to the fore. However, there are still some gospel artists from yesteryears who despite the evolution in the gospel music industry have still managed to stay relevant in this present age.

These artists are inexhaustible in number, that’s why we’ve just decided to trim it down to just seven (7).

1. Chioma Jesus

Chioma Jesus real name is Evangelist Amaka Okwuoha. She is a female gospel artiste who hails from Imo State. She began her singing career in the Scripture Union Fellowship about 19 years ago. Amaka came to limelight with a song “Chioma Jesus” in 2003 and since then, her name rings a bell in the gospel music world. She is best known for using the Igbo language to write and sing her songs but her first ever song was written in the Yoruba language. She is married to Evangelist Callistus Okwuoha, also a pastor and together they are blessed with 3 children.

2. Panam Percy Paul,

Panam Percy Paul, whose real name is Bakulipanam Percy Paul Mokungah, is a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose musical career spans 40 years. Panam apart from music has written a book titled “Bring Down the Glory” named after his Bring Down the Glory album. He also has a college called the “Panam College of Music Ministry” in Jos, Plateau state of Nigeria. Panam hails from Numan, Adamawa State, and lived in Jos for 35 years. Paul married his wife, Tina, in 1981, and together, they have four children, Leah, Lisa, Harley, and Loraine, as well as three adopted children, Jemima Mbaya, Elsie June Adum, and Godfrey Gillings Panam.

3. Shola Allyson

Shola Allyson-Obaniyi, popularly known as Shola Allyson, is a Nigerian soul and folk singer, and songwriter. She came into limelight with the hit album Eji Owuro (2003), which was the soundtrack album for a film of the same name. Apart from being a singer, she is also a voice coach, counselor, and a consultant. Allyson got married in March 2003. She met her husband, Toyin Obaniyi in the church choir, and together, they have 3 children: Ayobami, Mopelola, and Obafunmiwo.


4. Tope Alabi

Tope Alabi, also known as Ore ti o common, and as Agbo Jesu is a Nigerian gospel singer, film music composer, and actress. She was born on 27 October 1970. Alabi was formerly a member of the Jesters International comedy group. She later worked with other popular traveling and stage theater groups in both Ibadan and Lagos. She made films in the Yoruba film genre of Nigeria. Alabi later metamorphosed into gospel music after she became a born-again Christian.

5. Asu Ekiye

Asu Ekiye is a Bayelsa-born gospel music luminary. After two years of preparation and vocational studies in administration, Asu headed to the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, where he obtained a BSc degree in accountancy. He enlisted as an auditor in a firm of chartered accountants and later as a finance executive at a reputable oil company. It was there he gave heed to the call to music ministry. In December 2001, he released his popular hit, Woekilemo. He is married to kunemofa and together they have three sons and a daughter: Marvelous, Akpofeowei, Embeleakpor, and Princess Fagha.

6. Isabella Melodies

Isabella Ogo-Uzodike, known by her stage name, Isabella Melodies, is a worshipper, pastor, speaker, songwriter, psalmist, author and multi-award winning international gospel recording artist. Highly regarded as a gifted songwriter, her ministry bridges the gap between the old-school hymn lovers and contemporary gospel music enthusiasts. The multi-award winning artiste refuses to be boxed into a certain genre of gospel music but continues to creatively deliver new, innovative sounds which defy the stereotypes. In 2015, she was listed as one of the top ten personalities changing the face of gospel music in Nigeria.

7. Muyiwa Olanrewaju

Muyiwa Olanrewaju (born 26 November) is a gospel singer and songwriter who mixes traditional gospel music with elements of world music, soul, R&B and pop. With his group, Riversongz, he sold out Indigo2 at the O2 in London, the first gospel act to do so, and he has played at the largest gospel music event in the world, The Experience, attracting a strong audience of 500,000. Muyiwa is the host of the Turning Point TV show, a vibrant programme with a global audience reach of 70 million.

There we go, seven (7) evergreen Nigerian gospel artistes.

Any other person who should be on this list, but he/she isn’t?

Let us know in the comment box below…