Popular Nigerian gospel minister Nathaniel Bassey has surpassed 400 million streams across all credits on Spotify, marking a significant achievement as the first Nigerian gospel artist to reach such a feat. This historic milestone follows his Hallelujah Challenge in October, a global online worship movement.
According to The Debut Hub, a global music community, Nathaniel Bassey reached this milestone on the platform on Tuesday evening. He is now the 43rd Nigerian to surpass 400 million streams and the first and leading gospel artist in Nigeria to attain this height.
Nathaniel Bassey is recognized for his deep spirituality, which has positioned him as a leading gospel minister and one of Africa’s most influential figures in the gospel music space. He is particularly known for his worship songs such as "Onise Iyanu," "Adonai," "Imela," "Hallelujah Challenge," and "Praise Medley," which have inspired millions of listeners worldwide.
Beyond his music career, Nathaniel Bassey is also celebrated for his annual Hallelujah Challenge, a global online worship movement that unites believers across nations in fervent praise and prayer. The 2025 edition of this event took place from October 7th to October 31st, 2025.
For the gospel minister, this latest milestone serves as a testament to his contribution to spreading the gospel, helping listeners stay grounded in their faith and spiritual journeys. It further shapes the growing trajectory of the Nigerian gospel industry on international platforms.
This development occurs amid the continuous rise of faith-based content from Nigeria. Recently, YouTube announced that Pastor Jerry Eze, a well-known minister, once again became Nigeria’s highest-earning YouTuber, reportedly generating billions of naira in revenue.
The surge in these achievements highlights the deeply religious and digitally connected nature of Nigerians. With over 50% of the population identifying as Christian, the demand for spiritual guidance has intensified, particularly amidst economic challenges. For Nathaniel Bassey and others like him, their recent successes also reflect the ongoing increase in smartphone adoption and internet penetration.
Nathaniel Bassey’s Hallelujah Challenge
The Hallelujah Challenge originated unexpectedly as an Instagram Live session from Nathaniel Bassey’s living room, which eventually attracted tens of thousands of participants globally who joined online to praise God. The Challenge was first held in 2017, running from June 1st to June 30th, and was initially associated with the #tongueschallenge.
The Hallelujah Challenge is a daily, one-hour online praise and prayer program hosted by Nathaniel Bassey. It is broadcast live on social media platforms, typically from 11:59 pm to 1:00 am, and is often accompanied by periods of fasting and prayer.
According to Bassey, the event is not for commercial purposes but rather a spiritual exercise aimed at connecting participants with God through worship and prayer. It was reported that Nathaniel Bassey declined an estimated N1.4 billion in potential YouTube revenue by choosing not to monetize his channel, specifically for the "Hallelujah Challenge."
The overarching theme of the Hallelujah Challenge is "Olowogbogboro," which translates to "The One whose arms are broad or outstretched," or "The outstretched arm of God."
Despite his prominent musical career, Nathaniel Bassey studied Politics at the University of Lagos and in London, while also pursuing music studies at Middlesex University Summer School.