Benita Iyere Okojie, born in 1988, is a Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter, recognised for her distinctive voice and her contribution to contemporary Christian music. She emerged as a child star with her Edo-language single Osemudiamen, gaining national attention in the late 1990s, and has remained an active figure in Nigeria’s gospel music scene. This article examines her verified life story, career, and cultural significance, drawing only on documented sources and credible reporting.
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Background
Benita Okojie hails from Edo State, in southern Nigeria, and belongs to the Esan-speaking community. Her upbringing in this culturally rich region exposed her to the spiritual and musical traditions of the area, where song plays an important role in both worship and social life. Her exposure to music at an early age contributed to her vocal development and understanding of Christian ministry through song.
She pursued higher education at Redeemers University in Osun State, where she studied English Language. Her studies helped to refine her communication and songwriting abilities, and she subsequently completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Nigeria’s compulsory service programme for university graduates. Her education has informed her artistry, providing a foundation for both lyrical composition and media engagement.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Benita Okojie’s musical journey began in her childhood, though documented records place her professional breakthrough at around age ten, with the release of her song Osemudiamen. The song, performed in the Edo language, received wide recognition and established her as one of Nigeria’s youngest gospel performers to achieve national prominence. Credible sources, including Nigerian media archives and encyclopaedia entries, confirm the song’s role in launching her public career.
Early accounts indicate that her father played a supporting role in her development as an artist, helping to facilitate recordings and manage early career activities. While some sources speculate about extensive involvement with other major Nigerian musicians, such claims are unverified and have been excluded from this historical account.
Following her initial success, she continued to release music over the years, with tracks such as Owase, Ayo, and Jesu N’Abba contributing to her sustained presence in gospel music. Her early recognition as a child gospel star remains a notable example of talent nurtured within Nigeria’s Christian music context.
Career Development and Artistic Identity
Benita Okojie’s artistic identity is closely tied to her Edo heritage and Christian faith. In 2023, she released Ijesu Mhen, a song in the Ishan (Edo) language, reaffirming her commitment to preserving indigenous languages in contemporary worship music. The song demonstrates how she combines cultural expression with spiritual ministry, maintaining authenticity while reaching a broader Nigerian audience.
Her musical style focuses on clear lyrical content and vocal delivery, ensuring that the message of faith is central. Unlike mainstream pop music, her arrangements often foreground the lyrics, supporting worship and spiritual reflection. By maintaining a career that spans over two decades, she exemplifies the persistence required for child stars to transition into mature artists within the gospel genre.
Education, Media Presence, and Personal Life
Benita Okojie’s education in English Language at Redeemers University has been instrumental in shaping her songwriting and communication skills. She has engaged with media through interviews and social media, sharing her faith, family life, and experiences as a gospel artist.
She married Olawale Adeyina in November 2016, and the couple has two children. Their second child, a daughter named Araoluwa Eden Adeyina, was born in 2019. Her family life is integrated with her public persona, reflecting her commitment to both ministry and personal values.
In addition to music, she expanded into acting, making her debut in the gospel-themed film Becoming Abi in 2022, marking a deliberate diversification of her artistic career. This move demonstrates her interest in contributing to faith-based storytelling beyond music.
Significance and Influence
Benita Okojie’s career highlights several important themes within Nigerian gospel music. She exemplifies how young talent can be nurtured and sustained into adulthood, blending cultural identity with faith-based expression. By singing in both English and Edo/Ishan, she contributes to the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages within contemporary Nigerian worship contexts.
Her journey also illustrates the role of education, family support, and spiritual commitment in maintaining a long-term career in gospel music. She serves as a model for emerging artists seeking to integrate cultural authenticity, religious expression, and professional development.
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Author’s Note
Benita Iyere Okojie remains a significant figure in Nigeria’s gospel music scene, not due to unverified claims of international fame, but through her verifiable accomplishments: a successful early career, enduring musical contributions, cultural preservation, and personal dedication to faith and family. Her life and work exemplify the intersection of talent, heritage, and spiritual purpose, offering insight into the broader landscape of contemporary gospel music in Nigeria.
References
“Benita Okojie welcomes second child.” TheCable Lifestyle, 2019.
“Benita Okojie makes acting debut.” TheWill News, December 2022.
“Benita Okojie Biography and Net Worth.” KenInfo, 2020.
“Benita Okojie releases Ijesu Mhen.” BellaNaija, 2023.
