Singer Timi Dakolo has continued to call out clergymen who criticize gospel musicians for charging fees to minister at church events.
Taking to Instagram, Dakolo made it clear that while he is not a gospel musician, he is a Christian who makes music. He expressed frustration over how Nigerian gospel singers are undervalued compared to their foreign counterparts, highlighting the financial struggles many choir members face.
“First off, I am not a gospel musician. I am a Christian that does music. I have been in choir for years, seen it all. Singing your heart out and trekking home. Everybody tasking each other to go home,” he wrote.
Dakolo pointed out that churches are willing to pay foreign artists in dollars, covering their flights, accommodation, and logistics, yet local gospel singers are expected to perform for free or for meager amounts.
“Yet you people invite foreign artists and pay them in dollars, fly them and their whole crew down, put them in the best hotels with full logistics. Now that our own people have learned their value, gaslighting has started,” he said.
He further criticized the hypocrisy of some church leaders who build expensive schools that their own congregation members cannot afford while refusing to fairly compensate gospel singers.
“Gospel musicians are definitely not the problem. They are not the ones building schools and charging fees their members can’t pay.”
Using American gospel singer Don Moen as an example, Dakolo stated that no one would consider offering him just ₦5 million, yet Nigerian gospel singers are consistently undervalued.
“If you invite Don Moen, you can’t even think of giving him ₦5 million. We like to undervalue our own. Treat them small. What’s with the mentality of ‘Fly but not so high’? You people should stop.”
He emphasized that music, including gospel music, is an art form that requires years of practice and mastery, making it deserving of fair compensation.
“As much as music and worship is spiritual, it is art too. The chord progression, the synchronization, harmony, and sweet melody IS ART. It took years of practice to learn, and THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR. VALUE. The music ministry is not a lesser ministry than another.”
Concluding his message, Dakolo urged church leaders to focus on preaching the gospel and to recognize the importance of valuing people and their craft.
“Oga, preach Jesus and Jesus alone. Value people and their craft. Even inside church, not everybody collects the same salary. If you divide money for choir members instead of guests, they will sing their hearts out. All this was said in love.”
His comments have sparked widespread discussions on social media, with many supporting his stance on fair treatment and proper compensation for gospel artists.
