Nigeria being a country with diverse cultures and a robust music industry has been home to some of the world’s most renowned gospel artists. These artists have not only remained relevant in the Nigerian music industry but have also been acclaimed internationally for their melodious voices, gospel content and lyrics. In this regard, this piece is aimed at evaluating the top female Gospel singers in Nigeria, their success, and contributions.
List of Female Gospel Singers in Nigeria
It’s time to unveil these artists that have taken the gospel music industry in Nigeria to the next level:
1. Mercy Chinwo
Today, Mercy Chinwo is among the most popular gospel singers in Nigeria. Known for her powerful voice and passionate singing ability, she came into the limelight through her hit single ‘Excess Love’ which became a darling of most churches in Nigeria and other African countries. Mercy’s songs are gospel and are fused with African music hence most people like her. Some of the awards she has received are the African Gospel Music and Media Awards (AGMMA) and the Nigerian Entertainment Awards.
2. Sinach
Nigerian-born Sinach, whose real name is Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu, is a renowned gospel artist and music composer. She is most acclaimed for her piece, “Way Maker” which has been recorded by other artists and is used for worship around the world. Many of Sinach’s songs are inspirational to Christians, calling them to have faith in the Lord’s word. She has released several albums and received many awards, among them being the LIMA Songwriter of the Decade Award, Sinach is a household name in gospel music.
3. Ada Ehi
Ada Ehi, also known simply as Ada, is an active gospel artist with a sound that is closely associated with pop, Afrobeat and modern gospel styles. Her breakthrough came with the song “Only You Jesus,” which was accepted by many because of its style as well as its strong gospel lyrics. Ada has displayed a lot of energy in her dancing and performing, and she has a colorful personality, which can be seen in her performing art. She has been honored several times for her work such as the esteemed LIMA awards.
4. Onos Ariyo
Onos Ariyo is a Nigerian worship leader and singer who specializes in gospel music with her powerful vocals and worship songs. She rose to fame through her song “Alagbara,” a worship anthem that has had an impact on the lives of many people. Onos has a way of taking the attendants into a deeper level of worship, thus why several Christian events across Nigeria and other parts of the world seek her out as a worship leader. This has made her to receive several awards and recognition in the gospel music ministration.
5. Tope Alabi
Tope Alabi is a Nigerian gospel artist whose music incorporates Yoruba traditional music and gospel. This African singer has many albums to her credit; her songs usually contain lyrics of strength and Yoruba tradition. Tope’s music performances are accepted with the same veneration and her songs are some of the most acclaimed and inspiring in gospel music across the Nigerian music market. These have made her receive some recognitions from her industry such as the City People Music Award for Gospel Artist of the Year.
6. Lara George
Lara George is a well-known gospel artist who sings, writes songs, and performs using her soft, melodic voice. Born into a musical family, she was a member of the gospel group known as KUSH before launching her career as a solo artist. Lara’s piece “Ijoba Orun” is still one of the most cherished Christian songs in this country due to the uniqueness of its lyrics and tune. She has received a number of awards, some of which include the Nigerian Music Award for the Best Female Vocalist as well as the Best Gospel Artist.
7. Chidinma Ekile
Chidinma Ekile better known by her stage name Chidinma went from being a secular artist to gospel in 2021. She became famous after emerging as the winner of the third edition of Project Fame West Africa, and the choice of doing gospel has been applauded. Songs like “Jehovah Overdo” are her singles and those songs demonstrate her strong vocal abilities as well as her strong beliefs in Christianity.
8. Pat Uwaje King
Pat Uwaje King is a gospel musician and she serves as one of the lead vocalists of the Midnight Crew. Hailed for her performance, singing voice, and stagecraft, Pat has been one of the most influential artists in the Nigerian Christian music market. She has also carved a successful career on her own and songs like “He’s Done Me Well” are big hits. In a nutshell, the type of music that Pat is associated with is a fusion of modern style and African style.
9. TY Bello
TY Bello is an all-round artist, who is famous as a singer and a photographer. She rose to fame as a gospel singer coming up with Greenland her first album that featured a Greenland single. TY’s songs contain Christian themes, which is not surprising given the singer’s choice of religion and creative work. Her legacy does not stop with music but lives on through her work and impact on society.
10. Victoria Orenze
Victoria Orenze is a Nigerian worship leader and artist who is known for her deep, spiritual worship music. By praising and worshiping God in song, she has a very special ability to set the tone of the worship service: one of reverence and intimacy with the Lord. Worshippers have easily taken to her songs such as Covenant Keeping God and On Fire. In Victoria’s ministry, the goal is to get people closer to God by providing them with extremely passionate worship services.
11. Ayo Vincent
Ayo Vincent is a gospel musician and worship leader who specializes in worship songs. She rose to fame after releasing a song called ‘You Are Great,’ which included vocals from a singer named Joe Praise. Ayo sings touching worship songs and her gospel is on the contemporary worldview; this makes her famous among Nigerian artists.
12. Nikki Laoye
Nikki Laoye is an urban contemporary gospel,pop, R&B Nigerian-born artist. They became popular with the song ‘Never Felt This Way Before’ which featured her silky vocals and unique music genre. She is also a humanitarian person mainly because of her advocacy for people living with disabilities. The impact she has made in the music industry and to society has seen her receive several accolades including the Headies Award for the Best Vocal Performance.
13. Bola Are
Bola Are is widely recognized as a singer of traditional Yoruba Christian music and has many years of experience singing for her people. The woman of God has been in the Nigerian gospel music industry for many years releasing so many albums. Bola has strictly Christian music that comes from the Christian faith and a Yoruba background hence she is so well esteemed within the Christian fraternity. Her efforts in Christian music have been rewarded with several awards and honors.
14. Chinyere Udoma
Chinyere Udoma is a traditional singer who sings well with her powerful voice and specializes in traditional Christian songs. Most of her songs are infused with aspects of Igbo traditional music, which makes her particularly popular with lovers of indigenous Christian music. Some of Chinyere’s songs include “Agu Neche Mba” and are considered to have deep messages that are both spiritual as well as culturally inclined.
15. Shola Allyson
Shola Allyson is a Nigerian-based singer with a soul-touching voice and songs. She rose to the limelight with her first album, “Eji Owuro”, which features the song of the same title. The musical style that Shola propagate is rich in spiritual messages and has elements of traditional Yoruba songs. She also offers her services as a voice trainer, especially to young talents in the entertainment industry.
16. Chioma Jesus
Chioma Jesus, whose real name is Amaka Okwuoha, is a talented artist famous for her exciting stage presence and vocal ability. She rose to fame with her song titled “Chioma Jesus” which received massive airplay in most Nigerian Churches. Chioma’s song is unique in the way that it is lively and full of spiritual messages that have endeared her to many people who listen to Christian songs.
17. Enkay Ogboruche
Enkay Ogboruche is an artist who has been lauded for her lively worship songs and energetic performance on stage. She rose to fame through the track “Yes! You Are The Lord”, which was widely accepted in churches in Nigeria. The songs of Enkay is based on worship with her act leading individuals to the presence of God.
18. Osinachi Nwachukwu
Osinachi Nwachukwu is a famous singer who gained her fame on stage for her unique voice and spiritual, strong songs. She rose to fame with her input in the “Ekwueme” song, which went viral in Nigeria and other parts of the world. The analysis of Osinachi’s music revealed that it was a type of song that contained evangelical themes and African roots.
19. Funmi Aragbaye
Funmi Aragbaye is an artist with many years of experience, and she sings in traditional Yoruba Christian genre. She has been in the Nigeria Christian music industry for quite sometime now and she has released several albums. Funmi’s singing is based on Christian beliefs and traditions of the Yoruba people which makes her popular and well-respected among local Christian singers.
20. Dunni Olanrewaju
Dunni Olanrewaju, popularly referred to as Opelope Anointing, is a gifted artist, especially in the Yoruba traditional Christian song. She rose to prominence with her song “Opelope Anointing” which has since been sung in various Nigerian churches. Her songs are imbued with strong religious messages and contain elements of Yoruba folklore, which allowed Dunni to become one of the most popular Christian singers.
Conclusion
The gospel music industry in Nigeria is vibrant and full
of artists who have impacted the genre both nationally and internationally.
Popularly referred to as ‘Anointed Singers’, these top 20 female Gospel singers
in Nigeria with their different music styles and ministry have contributed
immensely towards the growth of the music industry in Nigeria and have
surely blessed millions with their heart-touching songs of faith and worship.
Regardless of following today’s trends, or using the African beats, these
artists go on changing the lives of people and sharing with them the word of
God through songs.
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