• Super Admin
• 07 Mar, 2026

Across churches in Nigeria today, worshippers still sing songs written by gospel ministers whose voices are no longer heard in person, a reminder of the painful losses the gospel music community has suffered in recent years. In recent years, several gospel ministers have died under different circumstances, each loss leaving its own mark on the Christian community. Their deaths have also sparked quiet conversations about the lives of gospel ministers, the pressure they face, their health, and the kind of support available to them. One of the earliest losses came in August 2024, when Aduke Gold, born Aduke Ajayi, died at the age of 35 after a long fight with cervical cancer. Aduke Gold was known for her lively worship style and songs delivered mostly in Yoruba. She often built her audience through church concerts and social media, and many fans believed her ministry was just beginning to grow when the news of her death emerged. Fellow artistes described her as passionate about ministry and dedicated to spreading faith through music. In April 2025, the industry was thrown into mourning again with the death of Big Bolaji at the age of 50 following an undisclosed illness. Big Bolaji, whose real name was Bolaji Olarewaju, was both a pastor and a worship leader. He was known for energetic praise sessions, large church gatherings, and mentoring younger gospel artists. Many described him as someone who gave his time and strength to building others. Two months later, in June 2025, Israel Terhemba Ikyereve, popularly known as "New Jerusalem", died at the age of 53; his cause of death was not revealed. Based in Benue State, he was respected for mixing Tiv rhythm with gospel music. His songs carried local culture while still delivering Christian messages, making him a well-loved figure in churches across northern Nigeria. In January 2026, gospel singer Bunmi Akinnaanu died at the age of 46 after battling a prolonged illness. She gained fame with her song "Omije Ojumi", which became widely sung in many Yoruba-speaking congregations. Before dedicating herself fully to ministry, she had worked in the banking sector, a path that inspired many who were balancing careers and spiritual callings. In March 2026, Taiwo Adegbodu, one half of the Adegbodu Twins, passed away. Together with his twin brother, Kehinde, he had built a ministry that travelled across states and revival meetings. Their harmonies and stage presence made them popular in churches and among gospel music fans. However, Taiwo's cause of death is yet to be revealed by his family and management. But one of the most shocking incidents this year involved gospel singer Matthew Ogundele and three members of his crew. They were found dead inside a music studio in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos State. Reports say Ogundele had performed at a birthday praise event with his team and decided to spend the night in the studio because it was already late. The next morning, the studio owner became concerned when no one answered repeated knocks. When the door was forced open, the bodies of Ogundele, Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and blogger Matthew Awosanya (JoesTv) were discovered inside. Police confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of death. These recent losses come only a few years after the deaths of two widely known gospel figures in 2022: Sammie Okposo, who died at 51, and Osinachi Nwachukwu. Their passing sparked conversations about the pressures faced by gospel ministers and the challenges within the industry. In particular, Osinachi's passing brought attention to the vulnerability of women in ministry and domestic abuse. Beyond grief, the recent deaths have sparked discussions about welfare in the gospel music industry. Speaking to Weekend Trust, an Abuja civil servant, Mary Odina, said gospel artistes must pay more attention to their health, as they are likely to be performing around churches most Sundays and still have to attend to other routines in their lives. "Many of them travel almost every week for church programmes, concerts and crusades. Sometimes they move from one city to another without enough rest. That kind of lifestyle can affect anybody. I think they should take their health seriously by doing regular medical checkups and allowing themselves time to rest when necessary." She added that people often forget that gospel ministers are human beings who also face physical stress. "Because they are ministers, people assume they are always strong, but they are still human. They need to care for their bodies so they can continue their ministry for a long time." A student, Ngozi Eze, said that many gospel artistes need stronger professional support systems to help them manage their careers and ministries. "Some of them are very gifted, but they try to do everything themselves. They are the singer, the manager, the organiser and sometimes even the driver." According to her, having proper management could reduce pressure and help them focus on their core calling. She added that a structured support system will help gospel artistes plan better for their future. "If they have good managers and a team that helps organise their programmes, finances and travel arrangements, it will reduce stress. They will be able to concentrate more on their music and ministry instead of worrying about every small detail. "When things are properly organised, they can manage their time, their health and their finances better." An Uber driver, Chinedu Okafor, advised that gospel artists should also pay attention to financial planning and long-term security. "Many of them spend years travelling and singing in different churches, but they may not always think about the future," he said. According to him, proper financial planning can help gospel ministers avoid hardship later in life. "They should learn to save and invest while they are active. Ministry is good, but life still continues. If they plan well financially, it will help them take care of themselves and their families even when they are no longer travelling as much." He added that financial stability could also allow artists to focus more on their calling. "When someone is not constantly worried about money or survival, they can serve better and continue their ministry with peace of mind." A choir leader, Frances Udeme, said the church community should also play a role in supporting gospel artistes. She noted that churches and Christian organisations could help create systems that support gospel ministers, especially during difficult times. "These musicians contribute a lot to worship and spiritual life in the church, but sometimes their welfare is not discussed," she said. "If there are support structures within the church, it can help when an artist falls sick or faces challenges. The church community should see them as people who also need care and encouragement." According to her, support would strengthen the gospel music ministry as a whole. "When people know they are supported, they can serve better and continue using their gifts to bless others." An Abuja-based pastor said gospel artistes should approach their ministry with both spiritual commitment and practical planning. "Gospel music is a ministry, but it also requires structure and discipline," he said. "Many gospel artists are passionate about serving God through music, but they must also learn to organise their lives and careers properly." According to him, having trusted advisers and support teams can help artistes balance ministry with personal wellbeing. "It is important for them to have people who can guide them in areas like scheduling, finances and health. When everything rests on one person, it can become overwhelming." He added that the church also has a responsibility to look out for those who minister through music. Source: https://dailytrust.com/5-gospel-voices-lost-in-2-years/