The New Afrika Shrine, one of Nigeria’s most symbolic homes of Afrobeat, became an unexpected meeting point for gospel and contemporary African music as gospel artiste Testimony Jaga took his message of faith to the iconic venue during Felabration 2026.

Known for his energetic performances and street-oriented approach to gospel music, Jaga delivered a performance that brought together faith, rhythm and Nigerian popular culture, turning the Shrine stage into a platform for a message centred on Jesus Christ.

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The appearance represented a striking cultural intersection.

The New Afrika Shrine is deeply associated with the legacy of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the pioneer of Afrobeat whose music challenged social injustice, political repression and inequality.

Felabration, conceived by Fela’s eldest daughter, Yeni Kuti, in 1998, has grown into an annual celebration of his music, ideas and cultural influence.

Against that backdrop, Jaga’s gospel performance offered a different but equally passionate form of social and spiritual expression.

Rather than separating faith from popular culture, Jaga has built his career around taking gospel music beyond conventional church settings.

His Street Gospel Movement combines music and social outreach, with the stated aim of reaching people in places where traditional church structures may not.

His performance at the Shrine reflected that philosophy.
Jaga, whose real name is Salau Aliu Olayiwola, has become known for a sound that blends gospel with Fuji, Afrobeats, highlife, R&B and dancehall influences.

His approach has helped position him among a new generation of Nigerian gospel performers who are challenging traditional expectations of what gospel music should sound and look like.

At the Shrine, that musical versatility became particularly significant.

The venue has long represented Afrobeat as more than a genre. It is a cultural institution associated with music, activism, resistance and freedom of expression. Felabration itself continues that tradition by bringing artists and audiences together for concerts, exhibitions, debates and other cultural activities.

Jaga’s presence introduced another layer to that tradition: gospel as a vehicle for public testimony.

With an energetic stage presence and a repertoire designed to engage audiences beyond the conventional gospel audience, the singer used the occasion to proclaim his Christian faith while remaining firmly rooted in the sounds and performance culture of contemporary Nigeria.

The significance of the performance extended beyond entertainment.

For decades, the Shrine has served as a gathering place where music and ideas intersect.

The New Afrika Shrine was established as a continuation of the cultural legacy of Fela Kuti’s original Shrine and has become a central venue for the annual Felabration celebration.