From Sacred Sound to Social Statement: Advocating Ethical Paradigm Shift in Nigerian Gospel Music Composition

Gospel music is a genre of Christian music rooted in biblical teachings and spiritual expressions, often characterized by its devotional lyrics, call and response style, and emotional intensity. While it is primarily intended for liturgical worship, gospel music also plays a significant role in Christian social concerns. However, in Nigeria, the often use of purely devotional text fused in secular beat in articulating socio events evoke a church like atmosphere which compels most Christians to incorporate secular music that is sometimes imbued with worldly connotations in order to conjure a fuller sense of social engagement and festivity. In response, artists like Mercy Chinwo and Moses Bliss etc have created more relatable compositions that slightly depart from earlier devotional traditions. Mercy Chinwo’s music in particular, integrates rich socio-cultural qualities, making her a prominent figure in both Pentecostal liturgical worship and Christian social gatherings. However, her works remain largely praise-centered, thus leaving the thematic gap only partially addressed. However, a more pronounced paradigm shift emerges in the works of Moses Bliss, Esther Oreri, Gaise Baba, and others who intentionally broadened gospel music’s scope to engage pressing societal concerns. This evolution challenges rigid boundaries between sacred worship and social advocacy, encouraging a recalibration in which gospel music becomes both spiritually edifying and socially responsive. Guided by Lived Religion and Integral Ecology frameworks, this study employs qualitative content analysis and digital ethnography to reveal how selected contemporary gospel compositions integrate social themes in their lyrics without compromising theological integrity. The study advocates for a reorientation of theological ethics and musical function one that addresses social concerns both in liturgical worship expression and in socially recognized events within the Nigerian Christian experience.