- The Hallelujah Challenge is set to hold its February edition from February 10 to March 1, 2025
- The challenge was pioneered by popular gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey
- As the popular challenge commences, TheRadar detailed the history of the religious challenge and its reception in Nigeria
Over the years, the popularity of the 'Hallelujah Challenge' has always sparked curiosity and intrigue, leading many to ponder: what is the significance behind this religious movement?
For some, it is an avenue for miracles. Some say it is a revival. Many participants have reportedly also attributed their breakthroughs to the challenges.
While a lot of things may be debatable, one thing is clear—gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has consistently turned a handful of ardent followers into a mass of committed believers.
With the popularity of the challenge, Nathaniel Bassey has also made vigil viral, and turned a worship service into a national event.
As the singer is set to begin another edition of the popular Hallelujah Challenge, TheRadar goes down memory lane to share everything you need to know about its history.
How the Hallelujah Challenge started in Nigeria
In June 2017, Nathaniel, the Imela crooner broke the internet for the first time. The singer held Nigerians for 30 days with his popular Hallelujah challenge.
The online event was tagged ‘Olowogbogboro’ in which he had live worship of songs at midnight for one hour on Facebook and Instagram.
At the time, many Nigerians defied sleep to join the challenge and it was reported that many testimonies of healing and breakthroughs were recorded.
The popularity of the challenge got the attention of the CNN as well as several celebrities in Nigeria, who commended the initiative.
According to the Guardian on how it became a cultural phenomenon, it stated that the Challenge, which started with about 1,000 participants, later got as many 72,000 live worshippers (68,300 on Instagram, 9,000+ on Facebook) in less than 15 days.
Though not reaching the online numbers projected by many, the Challenge consistently gathered over 50,000 on Instagram and far more on other social media platforms.
Since it started eight years ago, the Hallelujah challenge has continued to date.
Global status of Hallelujah Challenge
What started as just a challenge in Nigeria has grown to become a global religious challenge that spans across 60 countries of the world.
These include countries like the United Kingdom, Egypt, Dublin, France, Algeria, Barbados, India, Gabon, Kenya, Portugal and Japan.
Participants can join from these countries to the singer's official Instagram, Facebook and YouTube pages for hour-long praise and worship online seasons.
Hallelujah Challenge continues to drive conversations on religion
With its social media presence, and its pattern of one hour vigil, which starts at 12 am to 1am, the Halleluyah Challenge always drives conversations on faith and religion.
From the first night, when it all started in 2017, worshippers streamed in their hundreds with over 60,000 people joining.
The hashtag #Hallelujahchallenge became a popular trend about faith among Nigerians and the world especially on Twitter.
From testimonies to the miracles, participants do not hesitate to share their experiences from the challenge and how it shaped their spiritual stance.
The Challenge’s impact offline is also unprecedented as it springs up in most religious settings, further driving conversations because of its popularity.
Nathaniel Bassey: Celebrating one of Nigeria's most respected gospel icons at 43
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Nigerian popular gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey expressed gratitude to God for surviving four decades and three years as he turned 43.
The admired singer, who was born on August 27, 1972, via his official Instagram page, penned a note of gratitude to God for sparing his life.
In celebration of Nathaniel Bassey, TheRadar, profiled the worship leader, highlighting his music career, education, personal life and some of his milestones.
