About the Guild
The Guild of Organists of Nigeria is the foremost professional body representing organists and choral directors across Nigeria, dedicated to the promotion and advancement of organ music and choral practice at the highest standards of competence and artistry.
History of the Guild of Organists of Nigeria
The Guild traces its origins to 2008, when a group of veteran organists and choirmasters recognised the need to unite the profession across Nigeria under one organised body. After nearly two years of wide consultation, the Guild was formally constituted by the Corporate Affairs Commission in Abuja in January 2012. The coordinating efforts of Mr. Donatus Ajayi and the early support of Chief Dr. Mofolorunso Akintoye Olumide Kuti were instrumental in securing that registration.
The Guild was registered with ten founding members on its Board of Trustees: Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya (Founder and General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Worldwide); Chief Dr. Mofolorunso Akintoye Olumide Kuti (Organist/Choirmaster Emeritus, St Paul's Cathedral, Abeokuta); Mr. James Adekunle (Choirmaster/Organist, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Lagos, and Director, MUSON School of Music); Mrs. Tolu Obajimi (Master of the Music, Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos); Alabo Dr. C. I. T. Wokoma JP (Christ Church, Port Harcourt); Deacon Olalekan Dosunmu (Nigerian Baptist Convention); Chief Maria Asseeva (MUSON School of Music, Lagos); Kayode Oni FTCL JP (Hoare's Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Yaba); Sir Emeka Nwokedi (Lagos City Chorale); and Mr. Donatus Rotimi Ajayi.
The inauguration was held on 2 March 2014 at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos, led by the Provost, Very Revd. Pelu Johnson. The programme featured organ recitals by Tunji Ogunnoiki, Harry Ibiyefiebo, Tolu Obajimi, Biodun Ojo, and Kayode Oni, with choral music directed by Emeka Nwokedi and the Lagos City Chorale.
In the years that followed, the Guild organised a programme of recitals, lectures, and concerts. The first Organ Recital with Lecture was held on 1 February 2015 at Our Saviour's Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. In January 2018, the Guild presented the Opening Concert at Bishop Adelakun Howells Memorial Church, Surulere, featuring a 53-person GONIG Choir and nine recitalists. Following the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guild marked its return with the Freedom Concert at Goodnews Baptist Church, Surulere in May 2022. The Guild's maiden Organ Recital Series launched on 24 April 2024 at All Saints Anglican Church, Yaba.
As membership expanded, the Guild inaugurated the Southwest Zone at the Chapel of the Resurrection, University of Ibadan in July 2017, and the South-South Zone at St. Andrews Anglican Church, Port Harcourt in October 2020. In December 2022, the Board of Trustees appointed a pioneer National Executive, formally dedicated at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina in February 2023. The Guild has grown from sixty founding members to over three hundred, drawn from across Christian denominations, regions, and the Nigerian diaspora in the United Kingdom and United States.
Inauguration, Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos, March 2014
Objects of the Guild
As registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and forming the formal purpose of the Guild.
To promote and advance the arts and practice of organ playing and choral directing and related activities to the highest standards of competence and artistry.
To increase the contributions of the organ and choral music to aesthetic and religious experiences, and to promote their understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment.
To set and maintain proper standards in such arts for the benefit of the public.
To educate musicians in such arts and practices, and improve the proficiency of organists and choral conductors.
To promote study and research in such arts and practices, and to provide members with opportunities to meet for discussion of professional topics.
To do all other such lawful things as will be required for the attainment of the above objects.
Strategies
The Guild has adopted the following strategies for the attainment of its objects.
Develop music education, especially the art of organ playing and choral conducting, targeting schools and choral groups.
Organise regular recitals and concerts.
Own concert halls and instruments to provide unhindered access to facilities for development and performance.
Hold national and West African organ and choral festivals and competitions.
Hold open organ and choral concerts to widen appreciation of the organ as a civic instrument, not limited to churches and other places of worship.
Ready to become a part of the Guild?
Membership is open to organists, students, and supporters of organ music across Nigeria.