Paul Adefarasin calls for national unity ahead of 20th The Experience gospel concert
Ahead of the landmark 20th edition of The Experience gospel concert, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, has urged Nigerians to embrace national unity, describing it as both a divine mandate and a pathway to unlocking the country’s full potential.
Speaking at a pre-event briefing, Adefarasin highlighted the concert’s growth from a one-night gathering in 2006 into a global movement, describing the massive annual turnout as a living demonstration of unity. He stressed that in Nigeria’s current tense climate, citizens must choose unity to foster hope and possibility.
“One night, people who do not look alike or think alike move to the same beat and rhythm. That rhythm is now hope. It is possibility. Unity has always carried extraordinary potential and capacity,” Adefarasin said.
Linking the event’s mission to national healing, the pastor announced that proceeds from a new song to be premiered at the concert—and later from a full album—will be donated to support Nigeria’s 4 to 10 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). “The dividends that would normally come to the artists… are going to go to the IDPs,” he explained.
This year’s theme, “Jesus United,” emphasizes that true unity is not uniformity but a conscious effort to build something greater from diversity. Adefarasin said unity begins in the heart, extends to families and communities, and ultimately strengthens the nation through shared values and collective responsibility.
Celebrating Nigerian excellence, he commended the young professionals, artists, technical crews, safety teams, and volunteers who make the concert possible, noting that when given the right environment, Nigerians can perform at world-class levels.
Marking 30 years of democratic governance in Nigeria, Adefarasin described the 20th edition of The Experience as a parallel milestone, reflecting resilience and the power of collective celebration. “We welcome you to a destiny-defining moment a reminder that unity is powerful, that excellence is possible, and that Nigeria can still showcase something the world pauses to watch,” he said.
The Experience, held annually in Lagos, is one of the world’s largest gospel music concerts, featuring leading local and international artists and drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees and millions of global viewers.
