Nigerian pastor Femi Lazarus has finally conceded in his argument with singer Timi Dakolo over whether gospel artists should charge churches for performances.
The unexpected resolution has sparked reactions from social media users, many of whom had closely followed the heated debate.
The controversy began when Lazarus, the founder of Light Nation Church, criticized gospel singers for requesting payment to perform in churches. His stance drew a sharp response from Timi Dakolo, who defended artists’ right to charge fees, stating that music was their livelihood. In a striking rebuttal, Dakolo also exposed that the pastor charges $150 for enrollment in his ministry school, fueling further discussions online.
Following widespread debate on social media, Pastor Femi Lazarus took to his platform to acknowledge the concerns of Timi Dakolo and praised him for advocating for musicians. In a reconciliatory post, the pastor shared a photo of himself with the Great Nation singer, calling him a “music legend” and agreeing that there was a need for better structures in the industry.
“My brother @timidakolo is a music legend. Give him his flowers. What a man! He genuinely carries the burdens of musicians. His concerns are real. I love you. Better structures will be built. Pain is real. From pulpit to the pew, the pain is real, but we will be fine. This generation will not have a carryover of pain. Hosts will do better, Guests will do better. We will have a better nation together,” Lazarus wrote.
His statement has since been met with mixed reactions, with some applauding his willingness to make amends and others questioning the broader implications of the issue.
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