Unusual Praise 2026 Returns, Over 80,000 Worshippers Expected

 Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Some of the biggest names in gospel music will gather in Lagos for the 2026 edition of Unusual Praise, one of the largest Catholic praise concert in Africa. The event will hold in December 11 at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), and before then on November 6, at the Basilica, Onitsha, with over 80,000 thousand worshippers expected at the event themed ‘Declare His Glory Among The Nations’.

The gospel ministers lined up for the upcoming event include Bidemi Olaoba, Moses Bliss, Sunmisola Agbebi, Peterson Okopi, Chinyere Udoma, BJ Sax, and Mr. & Mrs. Revelation, with additional guest ministers, performers to be revealed at the all-night gospel spectacle, hosted by the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki.

Over the years, Unusual Praise has grown into a platform that brings together thousands of worshippers in praise, evangelisation and spiritual renewal. This year’s programme will build on the platform’s tradition of using music, worship and community engagement to promote evangelisation, thanksgiving, spiritual renewal and positive social impact. 

 Beyond music and the spiritual experience, the organising committee of Unusual Praise 2026 at a fundraising dinner in Lagos last Sunday reiterated its commitment to social impact through its dual mission of evangelisation and empowerment. Chairman of Unusual Praise 2026, Dr. Ike Chioke, said the organisers hope to attract increased support from funders and organisations.

 Chioke explained its significance thus. “Unusual Praise has become more than annual worship event. It is a movement of faith, transformation, empowerment and community development. Through the Gala Night we invite individuals and organisations to partner with a vision that continues to impact lives spiritually, socially and economically.”

 Chairperson of Unusual Praise 2026, Onitsha, Mrs. Augustina Igbokwe, stressed the impact of the programme on residents, describing Unusual Praise as “not just an event, but a journey and an encounter.” She noted that the number of worshippers attending the programme had continued to increase from one edition to another, as people converged on the venue to participate in the Catholic event.

“And within Onitsha, Unusual Praise is a journey. It’s not a concert. It’s not an event. It’s an encounter. I want you to look at it from two perspectives. Even though we tell you that it’s an evangelisation as well as empowerment, but look at it deeply. It has transformed the landscape. There are thousands. We have more than 10,000, 15,000 people in Basilica worshipping God in Onitsha Praise.”

 Igbokwe, recalled the connection of Unusual Praise with Onitsha six years ago. ‘So Unusual Praise is that journey of discovering. And on that night, people ask, why is it unusual? Why do we gather? It is unusual because you can’t get a large number of people praising God in unionism, in community. It is a statement of admission, confirmation that Jesus is Lord, that God is the creator.

“Unusual Praise has a long history. It started in 2011, birthed at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, and then it has moved to Onitsha six years ago when Onitsha was having big challenges. The archbishop asked Unusual Praise to come, and the theme that year was ‘Lifting Onitsha up to God, Jesus’. And you can’t believe it. God worked in marvellous ways that Onitsha came back to normal.

“And since then, when it is Onitsha Unusual Praise, you just have to come and see the crowd. It is a better experience. People come to be washed, to be cleansed. They are not coming because they want God to enrich them, but they just want to praise God. They want to worship God, and nobody lives the same. And it is an encounter that will stay with you till years to come. It’s an experience.”

For the Vice Chairman, Unusual Praise 2026, Tina Oruche, “Every year in the past four years, we’ve been doing this fundraising gala. We found that the friends of Unusual Praise and ambassadors were asking, should we have a gathering where we all come together and strategically support the programme? And this is how Unusual Praise Gala came about.”

Oruche further shares the vision of the programme, describing the journey as impactful. “Unusual Praise started as a small praise and worship event in the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy in our small Charismatic Renewal around 2011/2012. It was a small praise and worship event to thank god for a successful year, for keeping us alive.

“And it grew from that small society programme into a parish event in 2016 and we had our first big programme in the compound of the Church. And was quite huge because we had the likes of Don Moen, and Ron Kenoly, may his soul rest in peace. And who are we trying to impact? The youth… So we want to get them, and the best way to get them is through music.

“Already, we’re hosting this year hoping to have over 80,000 people gather. Last year, we had over 40,000 people, so we’re expecting a double this year, by the grace of God. So the idea, the vision is to see not just the number multiply in the crowd, attendance, but also in the spiritual impact it will have in the lives of the people, especially the youth that we’re trying to target.

“So that is the vision. And of course, we are empowering more people. The entrepreneurial scheme is giving more seed funding to more people. In the years to come, we’re going to empower more and more people. And then, of course, one entrepreneur empowered means 20 more people empowered.” It was disclosed that about 110 entrepreneurs have benefitted in the previous editions.

Monsignor Paschal Nwaezeapu, Parish Priest of the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki Phase 1, Episcopal Vicar in the Lekki Region of Lagos Archdiocese, and Founder of Unusual Praise, expressed confidence in this year’s preparations. “Because with this event, everybody now knows we are getting serious. Now, this is like announcing to everybody that the preparation in earnest has kicked off.”