Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has escalated his criticism of Pastor Femi Lazarus, accusing the cleric of hypocrisy for charging students to attend his ministry school while condemning gospel musicians for requesting payment for their services.
The dispute between Dakolo and Lazarus began when the Light Nation Church founder criticized gospel artists for seeking compensation to perform at church events.
In defense of his fellow musicians, Dakolo argued that gospel music should be recognized as both a ministry and a profession that requires financial investment.
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In a pointed Instagram post on Monday, Dakolo alleged that Pastor Lazarus charges at least $150 per student for his ministry school, which teaches about Jesus and could potentially enroll up to 1,000 students. Dakolo accused the pastor of profiting from what he claimed should be a freely given gift.
“All this was said in love and with respect sir. I am not a gospel artist but a Christian raised in church. Let’s not shift the goal post. By your definition, if anyone charges to minister, they are not gospel artists, they are performers. And by that definition, if any preacher charges to teach and minister, they are merchants of hope and motivational speakers and performers too.
“Sir, you are charging as low as 150 dollars per person for your school of ministry. Teaching and preaching Jesus. Probably having as much as 1000 students. Let’s do the maths. You even have premium and standard for God’s house?
“Are you not selling the gift and revelation freely given to you? Again, let’s not keep shifting the goal post.”
The controversy has sparked debate online, with some supporting Dakolo’s stance while others argue that training in a ministry school differs from music ministration in church.
