When next you are in Lagos and are driving along the Lekki Expressway, look up at the billboards and those banners in the middle of the roads. The first thing you will notice is that churches are becoming the biggest advertisers in the Lagos metropolis, at least as far as Lekki/Ajah/Epe is concerned.

And it’s not the same old crusades, it’s a sophisticated mix of events that directly target a new generation of thinkers and doers.

 But beyond that, something else is noticeable. There is almost no major church event today that isn’t headlined by gospel artistes. Have you noticed? Even if it’s a conference or an entrepreneurship seminar, Nigeria’s prominent gospel acts must feature prominently on the billboards. Sometimes they look like the biggest draw.

As we write, there is Harvester’s Churches’ The Encounter seminar, the Achievers Conference and the Foundation of Truth Assembly’s annual Cross Concert. The latter is an initiative to get Nigerians to wear crosses in the month of April, but headlining the event are Tope Alabi, Chioma Jesus, Cobhams Asuquo, and Wale Adenuga.

Each of these events, and many more not named, including the House on the Rock’s Word conference, the Guardian Light Assembly’s Ignite conference, and plenty others have a revolving door of the top worshippers – Frank Edwards, Nathaniel Bassey, Glowreeyah Braimah, Chioma Jesus, Mairo Ese, Tim Godfrey and others.

Especially Frank Edwards. Cleaning out from Lagos to Port Harcourt to Dubai.

 We are looking at you with Holyghost side-eye, sir.

 Praise the Lord. This is the appointed time for Nigeria’s gospel acts with the biggest hits and the strongest brand names.

Op-ed Editor