Renowned gospel singer Dr. Tim Godfrey has spoken out amid debates over the high fees charged by some gospel artistes for performances.
The issue drew public attention earlier this year when the lead pastor of Light Nation Church in Abuja, Apostle Femi Lazarus, criticised artistes for demanding large sums for worship events.
Lazarus cited a case in which an artiste requested N5 million for a single performance, describing it as “ruthless.”
At a recent worship event at The Place of Grace in Port Harcourt, Godfrey responded to the controversy, revealing that the criticism had deeply frustrated him.
He argued that expecting artistes to commit significant time and energy without fair compensation is “absolutely unfair.”
The singer, who currently resides overseas, also shared the challenges artistes face when returning to Nigeria.
He recounted instances he was compensated with tubers of yam and live chickens, questioning how he was expected to cover basic expenses like rent and school fees under such arrangements.
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He noted, however, that times have changed and artists deserve fair financial recognition for their work and contributions to the ministry.
Tim Godfrey said: “Coming to Nigeria became difficult because of how artists are being treated so badly.
“And I want to say it’s all of those stories of why they’re 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 tubers of yams 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, and buy property? No. That is so unfair. That is absolutely unfair.”
