Speaking on his experience performing and recording both in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, Emmanuel identified spiritual sensitivity as the biggest challenge confronting many gospel artists today.
According to him, many musicians are more focused on creating songs from personal ideas rather than waiting on divine inspiration.
“The biggest challenge musicians face in Nigeria, in my own opinion, is hearing God,” he said. “People often want to sing their own songs, not the song of God. God sings and places melodies in our hearts. We must be patient enough to hear His songs so that we can create the impact He intends.”
He noted that publicity should not be a major concern for gospel artists who truly receive their songs from God.
“Publicity is not the challenge; once you sing His songs, the whole world will hear you,” he added.
Reflecting on his ministry experience in the United Kingdom, Emmanuel described the Christian environment there as more challenging compared to Nigeria. He explained that while faith is vibrant in many African communities, Christianity in the UK is often treated more as a religious identity than a lifestyle.
“The United Kingdom is much more difficult because Christianity here is regarded as a religion, not as a way of life,” he said. “Closeness to God is still a massive work in progress, but God is moving fast, and the time is now.”
Beyond music, Emmanuel has also expanded into writing. He is the author of the book Move: It’s Time to Recover All, a project he said came as a result of divine prompting.
Narrating how the book came about, the singer recalled listening to a preacher who encouraged ministers to document their teachings in books.
“At that moment, I heard the Holy Spirit say, ‘You need to write a book.’ That was when the inspiration came,” he said, adding that although he had written dramas and playlets while growing up, publishing a book had never been part of his initial plans.
“When God spoke, His grace followed,” he noted.
Emmanuel revealed that music has been a lifelong passion, tracing his beginnings to the age of seven when he started singing in the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).
“Music is my first love. I started very early at the age of seven in CAC. As a young man, you don’t really know yourself until you begin to explore the possibilities God has placed inside you,” he said.
Currently working on a new album, Emmanuel has already released four singles and continues to balance his career as an academic, writer and gospel singer.