Gospel minister Lilian Nneji has raised an alarm over what she describes as a deliberate attempt by some individuals in the gospel music industry to block her from receiving invitations to minister.
In an emotional video posted to her Instagram on Friday, the singer said she has discovered that event organizers who reached out to book her were given false information about her whereabouts and availability.
Nneji said the issue came to light after she met several people over the past week who told her they had wanted her to minister at their programs.
“For the past one week, I have met about four persons in different places,” she said. “Whenever they see me, I hear words like, ‘Oh, Minister Lilian, you are in town? We had a program, and we wanted to invite you. We reached out to some persons, and they said you have travelled, you are on vacation.’”
The singer said she was shocked to hear that people she doesn’t know were speaking on her behalf and giving organizers wrong updates about her schedule.
According to Nneji, the misinformation goes beyond claims that she is unavailable. She alleged that some people are telling organizers she is “on tour” and constantly traveling.
“To some other persons, they’ve said that Lilian Nneji is busy travelling around, she’s on tour,” she said. “Did I tell you I’m on tour? Did I announce to you that I’m on tour? Some of you know if I have to go on tour, I will post it.”
Nneji questioned the motive behind the claims, suggesting they were aimed at ensuring she is not invited to minister.
“Why would they want to invite me for a program, and you are telling them that I travelled, I went on vacation, when you have no information? Just because you don’t want them to invite me for the program,” she said.
“Another person said, ‘Oh, Lilian Nneji, she’s not based in Lagos.’ For crying out loud, if Lagos was like any other country, I should have my citizenship because I was born here in Lagos,” she said. “I have strong ties here. I’m here.”
Nneji also responded to comments about her personality, including allegations that she is proud or snobbish.Some said, ‘You are too proudful.’ Some said, ‘You are a snob.’ I don’t even care about all that because people would always say,” she said.
What bothered her more, she explained, was people telling organizers they could not reach her, even though they allegedly have her contact information.Some of you would even say, ‘Oh, I don’t have her number.’ Meanwhile, you get my number, you know how to reach me,” she added.
“Another person said she’s an Igbo artist. Why are you reading my CV?” she asked, questioning why her tribe should be a factor in ministry invitations.
Nneji said she remains open to invitations and urged organizers to reach out directly instead of going through third parties.
“For everyone who wants to invite me for programs, the number you can call is on all my social media handles — it’s on IG, TikTok, YouTube, everywhere,” she said. “My team is active, we will give you a response.”
She emphasized that her ministry is still active and that she has not withdrawn from ministering in Lagos or other parts of Nigeria.
Nneji’s outburst has sparked conversations online about competition, politics, and gatekeeping within the Nigerian gospel music space.
While she did not name anyone, her allegations touch on a recurring issue raised by artists across genres — that access to platforms is sometimes controlled by a few individuals who act as “middlemen.”
For gospel ministers, the stakes are also spiritual. Many see invitations to minister not just as career opportunities but as assignments.
By speaking out, Nneji has put the spotlight on how misinformation can affect not just bookings, but a minister’s ability to serve.
Industry observers note that social media has made it easier for artists to bypass gatekeepers, but it has also made it easier for rumors to spread quicklyMinistry is not competition,” she said. “There is enough space for all of us. Let’s support each other instead of pulling each other down.”
For now, Nneji says her focus is on music, ministry, and ensuring that those who genuinely want to invite her can reach her without interference.
