Gospel singer Tim Godfrey has opened up about the poor treatment gospel artists often receive in Nigeria, recalling how he was once paid with food items after performing in church.
In a clip shared on X, the award-winning singer expressed frustration over how undervalued gospel performers are, revealing that he had been given tubers of yam and even a live chicken as payment for his work.
“I don’t like coming. Okay, I come to Nigeria, but it has become difficult because of how artists are being treated so badly,” he said.
Tim Godfrey described the experience as discouraging and unfair, noting that such treatment makes it hard for gospel singers to meet basic financial needs.
“I have collected tubers of yams as honorarium. I have collected a full, alive, living, breathing chicken as honorarium,” he said, visibly upset.
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The singer added that this kind of compensation makes it impossible for gospel artists to pay rent, school fees, or even build a stable career, calling the situation “absolutely unfair.”
His revelation has since sparked mixed reactions online, with fans and fellow gospel musicians debating whether gospel performances should be monetised and how churches can better support those who minister through music.