Nathaniel Bassey Defends Decision Not to Monetise Hallelujah Challenge, Says “God Didn’t Tell Me To” Nigerian gospel minister and worship leader Nathaniel Bassey has defended his decision not to monetise the official YouTube channel used for the Hallelujah Challenge, saying his choice is based on what he believes God instructed him to do rather than the potential revenue he could earn.
The singer faced criticism over the decision, with some people arguing that the programme’s large online audience represented a significant financial opportunity. During the 2025 edition of the Hallelujah Challenge, estimates circulated that monetising the livestreams could have generated as much as ₦1 billion or more.
However, speaking during Day 23 of the prayer and worship programme, Bassey made his position clear.
“I won’t monetise it; God didn’t tell me to,” he said, explaining that the decision was rooted in his understanding of the assignment behind the initiative.
“The Hallelujah Challenge Was Not a Business Plan”
Bassey explained that the Hallelujah Challenge began in 2017 as a call to gather believers for midnight praise and prayer, rather than as a commercial project.
For him, the purpose of the initiative goes beyond YouTube views, subscriber numbers or potential advertising revenue. He sees it primarily as a platform for believers to worship God and pray together.
The gospel minister also addressed the criticism he has received from people on both sides of the debate. According to him, some accuse ministers of pursuing money when they monetise their ministry, while others question their decisions when they choose not to.
Despite the criticism, Bassey maintained that he would not monetise the Hallelujah Challenge simply because doing so could generate substantial income.
“God will bless us in some other way,” he said, reaffirming his decision to keep the programme free from monetisation.
Nathaniel Bassey Warns Against Fake Hallelujah Challenge Pages
Beyond the debate over revenue, Bassey raised concerns about fraudulent YouTube pages allegedly copying the official Hallelujah Challenge livestreams to attract viewers and make money.
He warned participants to be careful about the channels they use to follow the programme, identifying NathanielBasseymain as the official YouTube page for the livestreams.
The warning highlights a concern for online worshippers, as fake livestreams can mislead viewers and direct them to unauthorised pages. Participants should check the channel name and official links before joining a broadcast or sharing it with others.
“Hallelujah Challenge Is Not a Show. It Is an Altar”
For Bassey, the decision not to monetise the programme reflects his conviction about its spiritual purpose. Instead of measure its value in advertising income, he pointed to the opportunity to bring people together in prayer, worship and testimonies of faith.
His position has also renewed conversations about the relationship between ministry and money, particularly as Christian worship programmes reach increasingly large audiences through digital platforms.
While the estimated revenue figures have attracted attention, Bassey’s message is that financial opportunity alone will not determine how he runs the Hallelujah Challenge.
The programme, which began in 2017, has grown into a major online prayer and worship gathering, drawing participation from Christians in Nigeria and beyond.
For the gospel minister, keeping the Hallelujah Challenge free remains part of his commitment to the vision he believes he received. His decision has sparked debate, but he has maintained that obedience to that instruction matters more to him than the money he might have earned.
Source note: Bassey’s comments were reported during the 2025 Hallelujah Challenge by Premium Times, The Guardian Nigeria and Vanguard. The projected ₦1 billion figure was an estimate reported in the media, not a confirmed calculation of earnings.
