Nigerian gospel artist Tim Godfrey has spoken out against the treatment of gospel musicians in the country, recalling a time he was given bars of yam and a live chicken as payment for a performance.
In a video that went viral on Thursday, he expressed disappointment over what he described as the lack of value placed on gospel artistes by event organisers and audiences in Nigeria.
He explained that returning to perform in the country became discouraging due to the disrespect and poor compensation gospel singers often face.
He said, “Coming to Nigeria became difficult because of how artists are being treated so badly. All of those stories of ‘why are they charging,’ ‘why are they collecting money,’ ‘why are they doing this,’ it got me so, so mad. I said, why are people wicked? What sense does it make that people work so hard and you are saying they should take… I have collected two bars of yam as honorarium. I have collected a full, alive, living, walking, breathing chicken as honorarium. And that is what I’m going to use to pay school fees, pay house rent, buy property, buy… No! That is so unfair.”
His remarks have sparked conversations online, with many Nigerians agreeing that gospel artistes deserve fair compensation and respect for their contributions.
Tim Godfrey, who hails from Kaduna State, began his music career in the early 2000s. He gained nationwide attention after forming the gospel group Tim Godfrey and the Xtreme Crew in 2004. Their breakout hit Na You Be God propelled him into the spotlight, cementing his place as one of Nigeria’s prominent contemporary gospel voices.
Over the years, he has produced several hit songs and worked with international acts, including Travis Greene on the global worship anthem Nara. He continues to evolve his sound, blending traditional gospel with Afrobeats influences through global worship projects and live performances.