By Peter Omopo
Lagos is set for a massive night of worship as the 20th edition of The Experience, one of the world’s largest gospel music concerts, holds on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS).
The milestone edition, themed “Jesus United,” marks two decades of uninterrupted praise, prayer, and global gospel music performances, drawing worshippers from across Nigeria and around the world.
At a press briefing on Friday, the Convener and Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, reflected on the nation’s social challenges, the essence of Christmas, and Nigeria’s recent designation by the United States as a “state of particular concern.”
Adefarasin urged wealthy Nigerians to play a bigger role in national development, stressing the need for investment in education, healthcare, energy, and other infrastructure.
“The rich, the wealthy, even the wealthy thieves, must learn to put their wealth back into infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and energy. We need energy to industrialise,” he said.
Speaking on the significance of Christmas, Adefarasin emphasized its spiritual depth, noting that beyond dates and tradition, the season is a celebration of Christ’s incarnation and redemptive work.
Reacting to the recent remarks by the U.S. President concerning Nigeria, the cleric said the development should prompt stronger action against criminality.
“No one should be above the law. Crimes must be prosecuted as crimes,” he stated, adding that security agencies must work together to curb growing threats.
Gospel Artistes Speak Ahead of the Event
Kaduna-born gospel singer Solomon Lange, who will minister at the concert, described worship in Northern Nigeria as deeply heartfelt.
“The worship from the North is the purest because we do it in the midst of pain. We just love to worship God regardless of what we’re going through,” Lange said.
Responding to questions about alleged persecution in the North, he noted that while Christians have faced longstanding challenges, love must remain the Christian response.
Popular gospel duo Mr M & Revelation promised an intense spiritual atmosphere, assuring worshippers of “power, healing, miracles, and good music.”
“It’s really about Jesus, not about us,” the group added.
Millions Expected to Participate
With thousands expected to fill TBS and millions more joining online, The Experience 2025 is poised to become one of the most significant worship gatherings ever held on the African continent.
The annual concert continues to attract global attention for its musical excellence, large-scale organisation, and role in uniting diverse Christian communities.
