Nosa

Nosakhare Shadrack Omoregie, professionally known as Nosa, is a Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter, performer, worship leader and music producer. Born on February 26, 1981, in Benin City, Edo State, he is recognized for a distinctive sound that brings together gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and Afro-highlife. His music is characterized by inspirational lyrics, melodic vocals and an emphasis on communicating Christian faith through contemporary African sounds.

Nosa began singing in church as a child and gradually developed into a professional recording artist and producer. His breakthrough came with “Always Pray for You,” released in 2009, and he later became one of the prominent gospel artists on Chocolate City Music’s roster. Songs such as “Why You Love Me,” “Most High,” “Na Your Way,” “Dry Bones” and “We Raise a Sound” have helped establish his reputation in Nigerian gospel music.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Background

Nosa was born and raised in Benin City, Edo State. Music and church were important parts of his childhood, and he began singing in his church’s children’s choir at a young age. His early exposure to church music gave him a foundation in Christian music while his wider listening habits introduced him to several other styles.

As a child, Nosa had considered different career paths, including engineering, the military and football. Music eventually became the direction in which his natural abilities and interests came together. He began experimenting with songwriting and different forms of music while still young and later started writing choir pieces.

His musical influences are broad. He has cited gospel musicians such as Fred Hammond and Kim Burrell, as well as Boyz II Men, while also drawing inspiration from jazz, soul and rock. Nigerian and African highlife musicians, including Sonny Okosun, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, King Sunny Adé and Onyeka Onwenu, also influenced his musical outlook.

Education and Beginning of His Music Career

Nosa attended the University of Benin, where he studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Although his academic background was in engineering, he continued developing his abilities as a musician, songwriter and producer.

He began recording and writing songs more seriously in his early twenties. According to Nosa, he recorded his first song in 2003, although his professional career developed several years later. His early work involved experimenting with rap, melody and different musical arrangements before he settled into the genre-blending style that became his trademark.

In November 2009, he released “Always Pray for You,” his first official single. The song introduced his ability to combine a contemporary sound with an explicitly inspirational Christian message and quickly became an important recording in his early career.

Chocolate City and Open Doors

Nosa signed with Chocolate City Music in 2012, becoming part of one of Nigeria’s most prominent record labels. His association with the label provided a larger platform for his music and helped move him from an emerging gospel singer to a nationally recognized recording artist.

His debut studio album, Open Doors, was released in March 2014. The album included songs such as “Always Pray for You,” “Why You Love Me,” “Always on My Mind” and “I Go Stay.” Rather than relying exclusively on traditional gospel arrangements, the project demonstrated Nosa’s interest in bringing soul, R&B and African musical influences into his Christian songwriting.

“Why You Love Me” became one of the project’s notable songs, while “Always Pray for You” remained one of his signature recordings. The album helped establish the sound and message that would continue to define his career.

Career Growth and Notable Songs

Following Open Doors, Nosa continued releasing music that combined worship and inspirational themes with contemporary production. Among his significant recordings are “God Is Good,” “I Am Blessed,” “Most High,” “Na Your Way,” “If God Be for Me” and “Dry Bones.”

“Most High,” featuring Nathaniel Bassey, became one of his most recognizable collaborations. His partnership with Mairo Ese on “Na Your Way” also attracted considerable attention, while “If God Be for Me” featured fellow gospel singer Folabi Nuel.

In 2020, Nosa released “Dry Bones,” a song inspired by the biblical account of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37. The song became another example of his ability to translate biblical imagery into contemporary gospel music.

He later collaborated with 121 Selah on “We Raise a Sound,” a worship-focused recording that emphasizes collective praise and the unity of believers across nations and cultures. The song became one of his most streamed recordings and remains an important part of his later catalog.

Musical Style and Influences

One of the defining features of Nosa’s music is his willingness to move between genres. He has described his artistic goal as creating a bridge between musical styles while keeping the gospel message at the forefront.

His music can therefore combine a soul melody with a highlife rhythm, an R&B vocal approach with African instrumentation or contemporary worship with elements of rock and jazz. Nigerian Pidgin English also appears in some of his songwriting, giving his music a distinctly local character.

Rather than treating gospel music as a narrow musical category, Nosa approaches it as a message that can be communicated through different sounds. His songs frequently focus on God’s goodness, love, faithfulness, salvation, hope and the believer’s response to difficult circumstances.

This combination of musical experimentation and Christian messaging has helped him appeal to both gospel listeners and audiences familiar with mainstream Nigerian music.

Salt Music and Independent Career

After spending several years with Chocolate City, Nosa moved into a more independent phase of his career. In February 2020, he founded his own record label, Salt Music.

The establishment of Salt Music gave Nosa greater control over his creative work and allowed him to develop music outside the conventional major-label structure. He has continued to function not only as a recording artist but also as a producer, songwriter and creative director.

His subsequent releases have included Worship Medley, Bigi Poku and Hallelujah Chant, along with singles and collaborations such as “Eternal,” “Deep Calleth” and “Your Majesty.” His work during this period continues to draw from contemporary worship while retaining the soulful and African influences associated with his earlier music.

Awards, Recognition and Collaborations

Nosa has received recognition for his contribution to Nigerian gospel music, with “Always Pray for You” earning Song of the Year recognition during the early part of his career. His work has also received nominations and attention from gospel and mainstream Nigerian music platforms.

His collaborations have been an important part of his career. He has worked with artists including Nathaniel Bassey, Mairo Ese, Folabi Nuel, 121 Selah, Ty Bello, Erigga and other Nigerian gospel and contemporary musicians.

His collaborations demonstrate the versatility of his sound. He has appeared on worship recordings, inspirational songs and projects that cross into broader Nigerian contemporary music while maintaining a clear Christian foundation.

Personal Life and Current Career

Nosa is married to Deborah Omoregie, and the couple have children. He generally keeps much of his family life away from the center of his public career, choosing instead to focus attention on his music and ministry.

In addition to recording and performing, Nosa remains involved in songwriting and music production. He continues to release music under Salt Music and collaborate with other gospel artists.

His recent catalog includes “Hallelujah Chant” and other worship-oriented recordings, while in July 2026 he released the single “Blow My Mind.” He has also continued appearing on collaborative projects, including “Jesu Daddy Mi” with Mabel Omajuwa, BBO, Nosa and The OhEmGee Choir.

Legacy and Influence

Nosa has established a distinctive place in Nigerian gospel music by refusing to confine his artistry to one musical formula. His ability to combine gospel with soul, R&B, jazz and Afro-highlife has helped demonstrate how Christian music can remain deeply rooted in faith while drawing from the wider musical culture around it.

His journey from a child chorister in Benin City to a recording artist, producer and record-label founder reflects a career built around both music and ministry. Songs such as “Always Pray for You,” “Why You Love Me,” “Most High,” “Na Your Way,” “Dry Bones” and “We Raise a Sound” have become important markers of his musical journey.

Through Salt Music, his songwriting and his continuing collaborations, Nosa remains active in shaping contemporary Nigerian gospel music. His emphasis on musical diversity, meaningful songwriting and an uplifting Christian message continues to distinguish him within the country’s gospel scene.