…as others get cash awards, keyboards at Daniel Kolawole Olukoya Choral and Solo Competition
…I want others to emulate Dr Olukoya and his wife for a better society, says Sanwo-Olu
The General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, and his wife, Dr Folashade Olukoya, have reaffirmed their commitment to youth development, saying their lifelong vision is to help young people discover and fulfill their God-given destinies.
Speaking at the grand finale of the Dr and Dr. (Mrs.) Daniel Kolawole Olukoya Choral and Solo Competition for Secondary Schools held at the MFM Grace Hall, Onike, Lagos, Dr Olukoya said the church remained committed to programmes that positively shape the lives of young people. The event attracted students, music teachers, parents, and government officials.
“Our lifelong passion, vision and that of my wife, is to support initiatives that help young people discover, develop, and fulfil their God-given destinies,” Olukoya said in a statement made available to journalists.
“MFM is interested and committed to evangelising youths for Christ, as well as anything that will make youths find God,” he added.
The competition ended with seven outstanding soloists receiving full-tuition scholarships to any public university in Nigeria of their choice, irrespective of their course of study.
In the choral category, Halifield Schools, Maryland, emerged as the overall winner, receiving N2 million and a keyboard. International School came second with N1.5 million and a keyboard, while Barbinton Macauley placed third and received N1 million and a keyboard. Birrel Avenue School finished fourth and got N500,000; CMS Grammar School came fifth with N250,000, while CMS Girls Senior Grammar School, Bariga, placed sixth and received N100,000.
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The organisers also awarded consolation prizes of N150,000 each to soloists, with the total cash prizes amounting to N6.2 million.
Beneficiaries expressed appreciation to Dr Daniel Olukoya and his wife for the scholarships and cash rewards.
Head of Halifield Schools, Mrs Frances Osuchukwu, described the initiative as one that would inspire students to pursue excellence.
“This victory will inspire our students and other youths to strive for excellence, build their confidence, develop their critical thinking skills, and keep them away from the vices of society,” she said.
“Dr Daniel and Pastor Mrs Olukoya’s kind gesture of giving our school N2 million and a keyboard is commendable.”
One of the scholarship recipients, Miss Joanna Phillips, thanked God for using the Olukoyas to secure her tertiary education through the scholarship award.
Other beneficiaries, Emmanuel Ebube, Ojelabi Feyikunmi, Humphrey David, Nwachukwu Priscillia, Francis Mary, and Phillip Adeola Mowaleoluwa, also expressed appreciation, saying the scholarships would make it easier for them to pursue university education.
Mrs Amarachi Emmanuel, mother of Emmanuel Ebube, who emerged first in the solo category, described the scholarship as an unexpected relief for her family.
“We are very grateful to God for using Dr Daniel and Dr Mrs. Folashade Olukoya to give our son Emmanuel Ebube a scholarship to study in any Nigerian University of his choice, irrespective of his course of study,” she said.
“We have been thinking of how he will further his education; this is a big relief to my family. I wasn’t expecting it, this is a big surprise.”
Also speaking, Mr Odiwe Gabriel of Education District II described the competition as a laudable initiative that has helped public schools discover talents, improve musicianship, and expose students to classical music.
He commended the organisers for allowing students of different religious backgrounds to participate.
Explaining further on the vision behind the programme, Dr Olukoya said the competition forms part of his 70-Point Youth Repositioning Agenda, designed to rescue young people from social vices while providing platforms for spiritual, academic and economic development.
“This Choral and Solo Competition for Secondary Schools is part of my 70-Point Youth Repositioning Agenda, a vision launched to reach young men and women wherever they may be and provide platforms for their spiritual, academic and economic growth,” he said.
According to him, the initiative has already impacted thousands of young people through programmes in education, sports, entrepreneurship, agriculture, leadership development and moral values.
“We have created opportunities for young people through sports and educational support schemes. Under the initiative, MFM established football, basketball and wrestling programmes that have helped discover and nurture talented athletes,” he said.
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He added that the agenda also promotes academic excellence through scholarships and awards while supporting agriculture to address unemployment and food security.
Highlighting the role of music in youth development, Olukoya described music as an important tool for shaping character and creativity.
“Music remains a powerful tool for character formation, creativity and intellectual growth among young people,” he said.
He encouraged students to pursue excellence in both academics and extracurricular activities, stressing that “discipline, dedication and hard work remain key ingredients for success.”
He also urged youths to avoid drug abuse, bad company and other negative influences capable of destroying their future, while calling on parents, religious leaders and community stakeholders to mentor young people.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Special Assistant on Christian Religious Affairs, Rev. Bukola Adeleke, commended Dr. Daniel and Dr. Folashade Olukoya for what he described as their unwavering commitment to youth development and music education.
Sanwo-Olu urged politicians, members of the public and other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the Olukoyas’ example in building a better society.
He said the objectives of the competition, including talent identification, confidence-building and youth empowerment, align with his administration’s commitment to investing in young people.
“It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, and the visionary founders of this extraordinary competition, Dr. D.K. Olukoya and Dr. (Mrs.) Folashade Elizabeth Olukoya, on the grand finale of the 2026 Dr. and Dr. (Mrs.) D.K. Olukoya Choral and Solo Competition for Secondary Schools,” the governor said.
He noted that since its inception in 2011, the competition has grown into one of the most respected platforms for youth musical development in Lagos State.
Sanwo-Olu also praised the achievements of the church’s choral groups, saying they demonstrate what can be achieved when talent is supported by structure and dedication.
“Music is not merely performance. It is teamwork. It is the training of young minds to think, to feel, and to lead. This competition demonstrates the power of music as a tool for character development, discipline, creativity, and national unity,” he said.
Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, also commended the Olukoyas for identifying and nurturing students’ talents, describing their efforts as worthy of praise.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, represented by Dr Bolaji Omoniyi, Head of Music, Co-Curricular Department, said the competition had become “a beacon of excellence in music education.”
“Through this initiative, students are discovering their talents, building confidence, and developing life skills. The Ministry deeply appreciates Dr. and Dr. Mrs. Olukoya for their unwavering investment in the future of Lagos State children,” she said.
Chairperson of the 2026 competition and Director of the Mountain Top Conservatory Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra, Pastor Mrs Oyinkansola Akinselure, said the competition was first introduced in 2011, following approval by the Lagos State Commissioner for Education.
She explained that the current edition, the third in the series, began in 2025 with online preliminary and semi-final stages and featured participation from 88 schools and 20 soloists.
According to Akinselure, the competition reflects the Olukoyas’ commitment to improving music education while keeping young people productively engaged.
“This year, we introduced a contest for solo singers and performers, which will be rewarded by seven scholarships to any public Nigerian university of their choice,” she said.
The event concluded with musical performances by students from schools across Lagos State, highlighting the role of music education in promoting discipline, teamwork and creativity among young people.
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