Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has voiced his disapproval of Pastor Lazarus Femi’s recent comments about gospel musicians charging for their services. Femi, a popular pastor, was caught on video criticizing gospel artists for turning their ministrations into performances, suggesting that they have strayed from their spiritual calling. He warned that these artists would soon fade away if they continued in this direction.
The video, which quickly circulated online, featured Femi asserting that many gospel singers were more focused on monetary gain than on delivering the message of the gospel. He argued that these musicians were lacking a deep understanding of scripture, specifically that God would provide for their needs, and as a result, they were distancing themselves from God’s presence. The pastor’s comments sparked a debate within the Christian community, especially concerning the financial aspects of gospel music.
Timi Dakolo, a well-known figure in the Nigerian music industry, responded to these remarks in a strongly worded post on an Instagram blog. He took to the comment section to defend gospel ministers, stating that they were not beggars and deserved to be compensated for their work. “You deserve the very best things that life has to offer,” Dakolo wrote, addressing fellow Christians. He emphasized that the cost of producing music—ranging from studio sessions to promotion—was substantial and should be acknowledged.
Dakolo further clarified that gospel ministers, like other professionals, had financial responsibilities. “You have a family to feed, you have to pay rent,” he pointed out. He also mentioned that there were continuous costs involved in creating and releasing new music, and therefore, paying gospel musicians was not an unreasonable demand. The singer stressed that such attacks on artists’ work needed to stop, urging that people recognize the value of the services gospel ministers provide.
In his response, Dakolo suggested that if churchgoers were reluctant to pay gospel artists, they could invest the money into their own church musicians. “If you can’t pay people, use your church choir members and pay the amount you could have given the guest artist,” he advised. He criticized the notion of diminishing the value of gospel music, stating that such attitudes amounted to “gaslighting” and needed to end.
The singer also pointed out the irony of how church events are often lavishly funded. “The best of architects are called upon to build big churches, and large sums of money are disbursed for promoting big programs,” he noted. Dakolo made it clear that gospel musicians, like all professionals, should not be undervalued. He added that it took years of hard work and dedication to become an elite musician, and this effort deserved recognition and fair compensation.
In conclusion, Dakolo urged the public to support gospel musicians and to invest in developing local talent within churches. “Develop your musicians and singers in your church and pay them well,” he urged, advocating for the cultivation of a supportive environment for gospel artists. He also emphasized that these comments were made “in love,” stressing that the debate about compensation in the gospel music industry should be handled with respect and understanding.
