Bidemi Olaoba

Abidemi Ayodeji Ogunmolu, professionally known as Bidemi Olaoba, is a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, music composer and praise and worship leader. He is known for an energetic style that combines Gospel Highlife with elements of Fuji, indigenous Nigerian praise and contemporary gospel music. His performances often feature scripture-based chants, Yoruba expressions, call-and-response sections and the recurring phrase “The Bible says,” which has become closely associated with his musical identity.

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Olaoba traces his roots to Ikale in Okitipupa, Ondo State. His musical journey began in the church, where he sang in the choir and eventually became a worship leader. Although he studied Civil Engineering at Yaba College of Technology and later pursued Economics at the University of Lagos, music gradually became more than an interest. He came to regard it as a calling and eventually built a professional career around gospel music.

Olaoba became widely known after the release of “Bonjour,” his second single, following “Final Say” in 2016. His energetic performances at major Christian gatherings, including RCCG’s Marathon Praise, helped take his music to a wider audience. Over time, he has become particularly recognised for making praise music that draws from Nigerian musical traditions while remaining accessible to younger audiences.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Background

Bidemi Olaoba was born into a Christian family in Lagos and grew up in a household of six. Although Lagos became his home, his family has roots in Ikale, Okitipupa, in Ondo State. His early exposure to church and gospel music played an important role in developing his interest in singing.

Olaoba began singing in the church choir at Christ Apostolic Church. As a young singer, he was encouraged by people around him who noticed his voice and repeatedly urged him to develop his musical ability. He progressed from singing in the choir to leading songs and eventually became involved with the CAC Music Ministry and the Redeemed Christian Church of God music ministry.

His early experiences in church gave him a foundation in congregational worship, but his musical personality developed beyond conventional worship music. He became particularly interested in energetic praise and in incorporating elements of Nigerian popular music into gospel without losing the central Christian message.

Education

Olaoba studied Civil Engineering at Yaba College of Technology in Lagos. Even while studying, he continued performing and developing his music. In interviews, he has explained that although he was pursuing a technical education, he did not see himself ultimately working as an engineer because his interest in music had become increasingly strong.

He later studied Economics at the University of Lagos. His academic journey continued alongside his music career, rather than replacing it. By the time his musical profile began to grow significantly, he had already spent years balancing education with church ministry and performance.

The contrast between his academic background and his eventual career is an important part of Olaoba’s story. His formal education prepared him for a conventional professional path, but his growing commitment to music eventually led him in another direction.

How His Music Career Started

Although Olaoba had been involved in music for years through church, he began his professional recording career in the 2010s. He released his debut single, “Final Say,” in 2016. The following year, he released “Bonjour,” the song that he later identified as the project that brought him into the limelight.

“Bonjour” helped introduce the sound that would become central to his career. Rather than following a strictly contemporary worship format, Olaoba used energetic rhythms and elements associated with Nigerian popular music to create a gospel praise sound that was immediately performative and audience-friendly.

His growing visibility was strengthened by appearances at major Christian gatherings. His participation in RCCG’s Marathon Praise was particularly significant. Olaoba later described the period around his involvement with the event as a major facelift for his career.

His performances at events such as The Experience, COZA gatherings, Festival of Life and The African Praise Experience further expanded his audience. Over time, he also began performing internationally, taking his distinctive praise style to Nigerian Christian communities and gospel audiences outside the country.

Musical Style and Identity

Olaoba’s music is often described as Gospel Highlife with a Fuji influence. His sound draws from the energetic character of Nigerian praise music while incorporating Christian lyrics, scripture and worship themes. This combination has helped him create a musical identity that feels distinctly Nigerian without being restricted to one traditional genre.

One of the most recognisable features of his performances is his use of scripture-based chants. The phrase “The Bible says” became closely associated with his music and performances, usually introducing a declaration or message drawn from Scripture. His approach often includes call-and-response sections, rhythmic chants, Yoruba expressions and spontaneous praise.

Olaoba has explained that the use of these indigenous expressions and energetic praise was not simply a commercial strategy. In a 2025 interview, he described them as part of the burden and sound he believed he was called to carry. He has also said that he wanted his music to remain spiritual while being relatable to both younger and older listeners.

His approach has allowed him to occupy a distinctive space within Nigerian gospel music. Rather than abandoning traditional African praise forms in favour of contemporary international gospel sounds, he has used them as part of the foundation of his own style.

Notable Songs, Projects and Collaborations

“Bonjour” remains one of the most important songs in Olaoba’s early career because of its role in bringing him wider recognition. “Final Say,” released in 2016, preceded it and marked the beginning of his professional recording career. Other songs and projects associated with his catalogue include “Oluwatise,” “Amin,” “Isi Gini,” “Prayer” and “Give Me Chance.”

One of his most prominent collaborations came in 2024 when he released “Give Me Chance” featuring Mercy Chinwo. The song was released on June 7, 2024, and became one of his most visible recordings, combining Olaoba’s energetic praise approach with Chinwo’s vocal style. The track was also significant because it marked his debut release under GNT Nation.

His debut studio album under GNT, Tehillah, was released on June 27, 2025. The 12-track project includes “Give Me Chance” with Mercy Chinwo, “Isi Gini” and “Prayer,” among other recordings. The album brought together the praise, worship and indigenous influences that had defined Olaoba’s career while presenting them in a larger album format.

Olaoba has also collaborated with artists including Tope Alabi, Mike Abdul, Adeyinka Alaseyori and other Nigerian gospel musicians. These collaborations have helped connect his energetic praise style with different strands of the country’s gospel music scene.

In His Presence and Ministry

One of Olaoba’s most important contributions outside his recorded music is In His Presence, a praise and worship platform that began as a monthly virtual gathering in 2020. The sessions were initially streamed from a studio through social media platforms before expanding to reach audiences in different parts of the world.

The idea developed during the COVID-19 period, when physical gatherings were restricted. Olaoba created the virtual worship experience as a way of beginning each new month with praise and thanksgiving. Over time, the online sessions developed an audience of their own and eventually led to physical gatherings.

In September 2023, the first physical In His Presence gathering was held. What had started as an online ministry therefore became a live worship platform, reflecting Olaoba’s wider approach to music as ministry rather than entertainment alone.

Current Career and Legacy

In June 2024, Olaoba joined GNT Music, the music ministry operating under Grace and Truth Nation and co-founded by Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa and gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. His first release under the new partnership was “Give Me Chance,” featuring Chinwo.

The partnership marked a new stage in his career, followed by the release of Tehillah in 2025. Olaoba has continued to develop his music and worship ministry while maintaining the energetic praise style that first distinguished him.

His career is notable for the way he has remained connected to Nigerian musical traditions while building a contemporary gospel identity. His use of Yoruba expressions, Nigerian praise rhythms, Gospel Highlife and Fuji influences has given him a sound that is recognisable within the country’s crowded gospel music scene.

More than simply a recording artist, Olaoba has built his public identity around praise ministry. His music, live performances and In His Presence gatherings all reflect the same central idea: using energetic, culturally rooted music to encourage people to worship. That combination of ministry, performance and indigenous musical expression has helped establish Bidemi Olaoba as one of the distinctive voices of contemporary Nigerian gospel music.