The General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Pastor Daniel Olukoya, has called on women to embrace organ playing in a bid to develop their musical skills
Describing music as a powerful tool for evangelism and self-actualisation while speaking at the Association of Nigerian Female Organists (ANFO) meeting held at MFM International Headquarters, Yaba, Lagos, the man of God reiterated that gender should never be a barrier to women excelling in any field, including music ministry.
According to Olukoya, encouraging women to take up the organ is not only about music, but also about breaking stereotypes and opening doors of opportunity for women to shine.
“What a man can do, a woman can even do better,” he said. “This initiative is a way to evangelise, inspire confidence and let women know that gender barriers should not limit their chances, especially for those who have passion for music.”
He revealed that to sustain this vision, an organ school has been established at Mountain Top University, providing a structured platform where students can receive professional training and pursue excellence in organ playing.
“That is why we have created a platform and made teachers available to train more people,” the cleric explained. “Together, we are breaking barriers and empowering the next generation of female organists. With time, this will continue to grow.”
Pastor Olukoya further urged women across denominations to take advantage of the opportunity, noting that the initiative began with a maiden edition last year and has continued to spread without discrimination.
In the same vein, ANFO’s founder and G.O’s wife, Mrs. Folashade Olukoya, explained that her passion for empowering women through music was inspired by her life experiences and observations of societal challenges.
Recalling how her parents often intervened in settling disputes, she noted that women tend to suffer more in difficult situations, especially in marriage and society at large. This, she said, motivated her to create a platform that would help women discover and actualise their God-given potentials.
“My husband believes strongly that people can actualise their potentials,” she said. “I decided that if everyone stays in their space and fulfills their God-given abilities, it would be better for all of us.”
Olukoya described women as “solutions” while emphasising that any society that fails to create space for women will remain stagnant.
“A nation that lacks space for women will always be lonely. Women are needed to push the world forward. When women are denied space, they become unfulfilled and unable to actualise their potentials,” she declared.
In her exhortation, Olukoya encouraged women to see themselves as the “Eves of our time,” urging them to identify their workspaces, raise their voices, pursue their passions and grow in wisdom. “Whatever we do, let us do it heartily, not unto men, but unto God,” she added.
Also speaking, ANFO coordinator, Mrs. Abiodun George, commended Pastor Olukoya and his wife for their unwavering support. She highlighted the financial and technical challenges associated with learning the organ, describing it as an expensive instrument beyond the reach of many individuals.
“If an individual is to purchase an organ, it may not be affordable. But the General Overseer believed in us, provided professionals to train us and created a safe space for us to grow,” she shared. “We were given the platform to shape our skills. The fees alone are beyond what many of us can afford, but Pastor Olukoya made it accessible for us to learn and grow,”
One of the standout performers at the event, 28-year-old Temitope Aina, expressed her excitement after receiving a standing ovation from the audience. She revealed that her passion for music was nurtured from childhood, having a father who is a pianist and a mother who is a choir leader.
A first-class graduate of the University of Ibadan, Temitope currently teaches at a piano school, offers online music lessons to people in the Diaspora, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Music at Mountain Top University.