Mixed Reactions as Nathaniel Bassey Reportedly Loses ₦1.4 Billion For Refusing to Monetise Hallelujah Challenge on YouTube
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that popular gospel singer and pastor, Nathaniel Bassey, has sparked mixed reaction online for refusing to monetise his viral Hallelujah Challenge on YouTube, which made him lost a whopping ₦1.4 billion.
OTN News further reports that the claim, which was made by a social media user identified as @iswellthecapitalist, has gone viral, sparking widespread debate about how much the gospel star could be earning if he allowed ads on his YouTube channel.
According to the man, Nathaniel’s deliberate decision to keep the Hallelujah Challenge ad-free has cost him a potential fortune in online revenue.
In his viral post, @iswellthecapitalist alleged that each Hallelujah Challenge video could earn Nathaniel Bassey around ₦5 million in YouTube revenue if monetised.
He explained that since each edition of the challenge runs for about 21 to 24 days, and there are two editions yearly, the estimated total could reach about ₦1.4 billion annually.
“Did you know Pastor Nathaniel Bassey intentionally refuses to monetise it? I did the MATH, and the numbers are SHOCKING!” @iswellthecapitalist wrote in his viral caption.
OTN News observes that the who, user quickly clarified his intention, saying that his intention was to highlight the singer’s sacrifice, not to criticize him, noted that Nathaniel had chosen to serve God over making money.
OTN News further observes that Hallelujah Challenge which is a global prayer phenomenon, and which was created and led by Nathaniel Bassey, is a midnight praise and worship session that has become a global Christian movement.
OTN News also observes that the October 2025 edition has continued to attract millions of worshippers from Nigeria and beyond, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Reports suggest that the live-streamed sessions record over two million viewers nightly, making it one of the largest online worship gatherings in the world.
Furthermore, OTN News recalls that Nathaniel Bassey has consistently stated that the Hallelujah Challenge is not about money but about ministry.
He previously emphasized that his goal is to bring people together in worship, not to profit from it.
It will also be observed that the YouTube allows creators to earn from ads once they meet specific requirements — at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within the past year, or 10 million Shorts views within 90 days.
Given the Hallelujah Challenge’s massive global viewership, experts believe the YouTube channel could easily generate millions in ad revenue.
However, Nathaniel Bassey’s refusal to activate monetisation has become a talking point for many who admire his devotion over financial gain.
The viral claim has stirred reactions online. While many hailed Nathaniel Bassey for choosing faith over finances, others argued that monetising the channel could help expand his ministry’s reach.
Despite the buzz, Nathaniel Bassey has yet to respond to the viral claim, remaining focused on leading the October edition of the Hallelujah Challenge.
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