The founder of the Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, has referred to popular Nigerian musician David Adeleke, known as Davido, as a gospel artist.
Speaking on the Off The Record podcast, which went viral on Monday, Adegboyega explained that the word “gospel” means “good news,” and he believes that Davido embodies this through his music.
In the podcast, Pastor Tobi defended his decision to invite secular musicians, including Davido, to perform at his recent birthday celebration instead of traditional gospel artists. He stated, “Gospel means good news. Everyone there is a gospel artiste. Davido is a gospel artiste. Have you heard: ‘Because I stand strong?’”
Pastor Adegboyega went on to explain that the performers at his event were not just artists, but close friends who had supported him. He recalled that Davido had expressed his desire to perform for an hour at the event without any payment.
“What I had then was my friends—friends who are there through thick and thin,” he said. “Davido told me: ‘I just want to be there and perform for one hour.’ They’re my friends. I didn’t pay any of them. They love me, and I will give my friends platforms.”
Pastor Tobi also responded to critics, particularly gospel artists who had questioned his choice of secular musicians. He criticized them for judging him instead of building relationships. He said, “If gospel artists aren’t my friends and are instead joining the bandwagon to criticize me by asking, ‘Is that a church?’ What should I do? Drag them with a rope?”
He added that his friends would always be the focus of his events. “My friends will always sing at my events, and the next one will be bigger because my circle of friends keeps growing,” he stated.
In the interview, Adegboyega also spoke about his close relationship with Nigerian artist Zlatan, whom he described as his “son.” He explained, “Zlatan is like a son to me; his kids are my kids, and his parents are in my house.”
Pastor Tobi emphasized that his friends would continue to play a central role in his life and his church events, regardless of their musical genre.
