Will 2025 See the Rise of Inspirational Songs in Nigerian Mainstream Music?
In just the first five weeks of 2025, two songs have dominated Nigeria’s music scene, and they both carry a profound message of hope and encouragement. Fido’s “Joy Is Coming” and Lawrence Oyor’s viral gospel hit “Favour” are not only topping charts but also resonating deeply with millions of Nigerians who are navigating some of the country’s toughest economic times.
Both tracks, while distinct in their genres, share a common thread: they provide a sense of relief and optimism amidst the harsh economic realities of Nigeria. Fido’s “Joy Is Coming,” which was released in December 2024, has already amassed over 21 million streams on Spotify, and has reigned atop the TurnTable Top 100 for five consecutive weeks. The song’s catchy melody, combined with its simple yet powerful lyricism—”joy is coming”—has become a comforting anthem for listeners yearning for a brighter future.
Similarly, Lawrence Oyor’s “Favour,” which dropped in early January 2025, has quickly gained traction, especially on TikTok, and is currently the most streamed song in Nigeria on Spotify in 2025, with over 3.6 million streams. With its message of divine good fortune, “Favour” has struck a chord with Nigeria’s deeply religious populace, providing a sense of hope and encouragement amidst the nation’s socio-economic struggles.
The success of these songs highlights a potential shift in Nigerian music towards more inspirational and socially conscious records—something that has been less prevalent in the commercial music scene in recent years. In a previous article, it was emphasized that the Nigerian music industry could benefit from reflecting on the nation’s social reality, documenting the challenges and hopes of the people through music. Fido and Oyor’s records may be the start of such a trend, but is it enough to spark an industry-wide movement?
While the early success of “Joy Is Coming” and “Favour” suggests there is a significant demand for inspirational music, predicting a wider trend across Nigerian mainstream music in 2025 is still uncertain. Nigeria’s biggest mainstream artists tend to set the tone for the industry, and many have shown reluctance to create songs that address socio-economic issues directly. With the growth of streaming platforms and social media, the commercial appeal of lighter, trendier tracks has often overshadowed socially conscious music. The industry’s focus has increasingly shifted toward commercial success, often at the expense of deeper, more reflective content.
For inspirational music to rise in the Nigerian mainstream, it will take more than two hit songs from a rising Afropop star and a gospel act. It will require the industry’s top artists to embrace such themes in their music and create hits that resonate deeply with the nation’s socio-economic struggles. This kind of shift would mirror the massive impact that artists like Asake had on the industry with his genre-blending hits in 2022.
Though the rise of inspirational songs in Nigerian music is not guaranteed, the success of songs like “Joy Is Coming” and “Favour” indicates a growing appetite for music that speaks to the nation’s current socio-economic reality. If more artists choose to embrace these themes and craft songs that reflect the struggles and hopes of the people, there is a strong chance that 2025 could see a new era of inspirational music in Nigerian mainstream music.
As the music scene continues to evolve, the question remains: Will Nigerian musicians seize this opportunity to craft records that document the times and give hope to millions, or will the industry continue to prioritize commercial success over social relevance? The answer might just be in the hands of the next wave of artists ready to rise to the occasion.
