Gospel Music In Nigeria

Gospel music in Nigeria was first introduced in the 16th century by Portuguese Catholic missionaries to Benin and Warri through an introductory form of Portuguese music during the early evangelization of those kingdoms between 1485 and 1600. However, it was not until the mid-nineteenth century, with the active missionary activities of the UK based Church Missionary Society (CMS), that wide-spread evangelization occurred across what became Nigeria.

In the twentieth century, the growth of the gospel genre continued.

A new generation of American stars had emerged in gospel music, such as Kirk Franklin, The Winans, Ron Kenoly. Their influence traveled across the Atlantic. And this influence manifested with the emergence of a new generation of talents modeled on their heroes, artists like Kingsley Ike, Onos Brisibe, Sam Okposo, Broda Martyns, Ese Agese, and many others.

The evolution of secular superstars to gospel music continued

By the new millennium, gospel music had solidified itself as an important genre. Churches provided the most readily available training ground for young musicians without the funds to invest in expensive instruments. Also, with the ceaseless spread of the Pentecostal movement, the demand for new gospel bands meant employment and income

Additionally, gospel music concerts emerged, sponsored by successful churches and ministries. International stars performed alongside Nigerian ones. The era brought out TY Bello, Nikki Laoye, Yinka Ayefele, rapper Bouqui, Lanre Teriba, and Onyedikachi Umeh.
Gospel music in Nigeria evolved from its rudimentary, obscure, renaissance period, through to the Victorian era.

In the 20th century, Nigerian gospel music developed a character, based, not on the wholesale replica of the dominant driving force of American gospel music, but on a primarily indigenous hybrid driven by the needs of its audience. 

The expansion of the evangelical movement and Pentecostal activity in Nigeria continues to point to gospel music as a crucial pillar of the Nigerian music industry.