The organisers of The Headies have rejected claims that gospel musicians are being sidelined from major award categories, insisting that faith-based artistes remain eligible for mainstream honours.
The clarification followed concerns raised by Afrogospel singer Gaise Baba, who questioned the recognition given to gospel and inspirational musicians in some of the major categories of the Nigerian music awards.
In a statement shared on Instagram, The Headies said its record of recognising gospel artistes contradicted suggestions that faith-based musicians were excluded from mainstream award consideration.
The organisers pointed to previous recognition received by artistes including Lara George, Kefee, Nikki Laoye and Timi Dakolo as evidence that gospel musicians have been acknowledged by the awards.
The Headies also noted that it has a dedicated Inspirational Single category designed to recognise music with inspirational and faith-based themes.
The clarification came after Gaise Baba published an open letter challenging what he described as the limited consideration given to gospel and inspirational musicians in some of the award’s major categories.
The singer argued that artistes should primarily be judged on the quality, sound and impact of their music rather than the religious message contained in their songs.
According to him, a musician should not be prevented from competing in a genre category simply because the lyrics of a particular song focus on faith or spirituality.
“A rap record is a rap record,” Gaise Baba wrote, arguing that a song should remain eligible for its appropriate genre regardless of whether its subject matter centres on wealth, relationships, social issues or religion.
He questioned whether commercially successful gospel songs were receiving adequate consideration alongside other major Nigerian music releases.
Among the songs he referenced were “Favour” and “No Turning Back II,” his collaboration with gospel minister Lawrence Oyor.
Gaise Baba suggested that the success and impact of such songs should make them eligible for consideration based on their musical qualities and audience reception, rather than being restricted because of their religious themes.
The singer also raised concerns over the treatment of nominees in the Inspirational Music category.
Recalling his own experience as a Headies nominee, Gaise Baba said the Inspirational Music category was among those that were not announced during the main ceremony at one edition of the awards.
He argued that artistes who receive nominations invest considerable time and resources in publicity, preparations and attendance and should therefore receive proper recognition when a category has been created by the organisers.
His comments have reignited a wider debate within Nigeria’s music industry over the classification and recognition of gospel music at mainstream award ceremonies.
Gospel music has grown significantly in Nigeria, with several faith-based artistes achieving substantial commercial success and attracting audiences beyond traditional church settings.
The debate has consequently centred on whether commercially successful gospel records should compete directly with secular records in broader genre categories when they meet the same musical and commercial standards.
Gaise Baba’s position is that the religious content of a song should not automatically determine its eligibility, particularly where the record fits clearly within a recognised musical genre.
The Headies, however, maintains that gospel and inspirational artistes are not excluded from its awards and that its previous recognition of faith-based musicians demonstrates their eligibility.
The organisers’ response also points to the existence of the Inspirational Single category as a specific avenue for recognising records built around inspirational and faith-based messages.
The disagreement therefore appears to be less about whether gospel artistes can receive recognition at The Headies and more about the extent to which they should compete for honours outside dedicated inspirational categories.
Gaise Baba’s intervention has added to ongoing conversations about the evolving Nigerian music industry and the need for award bodies to reflect the changing boundaries between gospel, inspirational and mainstream music.
As gospel and Afrogospel records continue to gain popularity across streaming platforms and among younger audiences, questions about genre classification, award eligibility and recognition are expected to remain part of discussions within the industry.
For now, The Headies has maintained that faith-based artistes remain eligible for mainstream recognition while also defending its dedicated Inspirational Single category.