Popular gospel singer Tim Godfrey has shed light on why he seldom performs in Nigeria, citing the poor treatment of gospel artistes in the country.
In a candid video, the 45-year-old expressed his frustration with the way artistes are treated, particularly with regards to payment for their services..
“I don’t enjoy coming to Nigeria because of how artists are treated,” Tim Godfrey said.
“The stories about us charging exorbitant fees, collecting money, and being greedy are infuriating. What kind of sense does it make to expect artists to work tirelessly without fair compensation?”
The singer recounted instances where he received unusual forms of payment, such as tubers of yam and live chickens, as honorariums for his performances.
He questioned the logic behind expecting artistes to use such items to pay bills, rent, and invest in properties.
Tim Godfrey’s comments come in response to criticism faced by gospel artistes over charging for performances. Some critics argue that gospel ministry should be free from commercialization, while others believe artistes deserve fair compensation for their work.
The debate was reignited after Pastor Femi Lazarus claimed a gospel artiste demanded $10,000, first-class tickets, and luxury accommodation to perform at his church. The remarks sparked mixed reactions online, with some agreeing that artistes should be paid fairly, while others insisted that gospel ministry should be altruistic.
Other artistes, like Timi Dakolo, have defended their colleagues, pointing out the significant expenses involved in producing high-quality performances, including paying band members.