Globally-recognized worship minister, scientist, and entrepreneur, Dr. Ajoke Olufunmilola Ogunsan, well known in the music world as Dr. Ajokesings has hosted Final Year students of the Department of Music, University of Lagos, to an inspiring and deeply insightful mentoring session.
The event took place yesterday Friday 6th February 2026 at the Executive Hotels and Suites, Ogba, Lagos. The session, themed “Music Business with Ajokesings,” drew the musicologists and musicians-in-training away from the routine academics into a practical session including honest conversations about life, family, purpose, discipline, structure and the realities of navigating today’s music industry.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Ajokesings expressed gratitude to the entire.management and staff of the Department of Music and Sound Production at the Nigeria’s foremost university, UNILAG, and particularly to the senior lecturer and HOD, Professor Albert Oikelome for what she described as a “thoughtful initiative” aimed at shaping the next generation of Nigerian music professionals.
She then introduced herself through the dual lenses of calling and identity. “My name is Dr. Ajoke Ogunsan, Ajoke – a child that everyone comes together to care for – and in the music world, I am known as Ajokesings,” she said. “While those two names describe different expressions of my life, they are both rooted in one identity. I am a woman created by God with a purpose to serve through knowledge, creativity and worship.”
Reflecting on her journey, she emphasized that her path did not begin on grand stages. “It began in simple church choirs, in seasons of deep worship and in moments where music became prayer, refuge and encounter,” she told the students.
The interactive session that followed offered a deeper look into her life, brand and philosophy. When asked about the name Dr. Ajokesings, she noted that it represents a fusion of heritage and divine assignment. “My songs are not just music; they are prayers, conversations and encounters with God,” she said.
On managing multiple professional identities including being a scientist, educator, worship minister and entrepreneur, she explained that balance is a product of intentional living. “Balance doesn’t happen by accident, it happens by design,” she said. “I plan my days carefully. You cannot say you are called to greatness and live carelessly with your time. I have time for my family. I have time when I come here and the staff know. I have the time to go for rehearsals. All of them happen regularly, as planned.”
One of the highlights of the discussion was her breakdown of the structure behind her widely attended Symphony of Praise and Worship (SPAW) Concert. She described it as “a product of vision, structure and strong partnerships,” noting that planning begins months ahead with strict budgeting, logistics coordination and accountability to sponsors.
On her forays into the hospitality sector, Dr. Mrs. Ogunsan explained that music and hospitality share a mutual foundation: creating meaningful experiences. “Don’t box yourself into only one stream of income. Diversifying your income is wisdom,” she advised.
Addressing challenges in today’s music industry, she cautioned young artistes against rushing into fame without spiritual depth, mentorship or adequate training. “Talent alone is not enough,” she stressed. “Capacity must come before visibility.”
On the matter of whether to charge or not to charge for ministrations especially as Christian music ministers, she noted that her stance is always to emphasize individuals and organizations that invite her that they must take care of her band members and that starts from pre-event, even if they won’t pay for her services. This is because “they have families, they have needs, they have school fees to pay, we have weddings to plan for some of them, so they have to be catered for.”
On the management of her music career, Dr. Mrs. Ogunsan disclosed that her younger brother is her manager, and credited her family whom she described as her “emotional support, professional accountability and spiritual covering” for sustaining her career and identity. She noted that the family works for her, it may not work for others, so everyone should do what works for them.
The students were particularly intrigued by her family life and domestic affairs which drew a lot of questions and everyone agreed can make or mar a flourishing career. “I met my husband as a business person so I naturally flowed into that myself. I am a highflyer, I graduated as a biochemist so I loved research and have even started to write grants for scientific research before marriage. I had to hold on for a while which I never regretted because I know why I was doing it. I have 3 children, all of them girls to cater for. I want them to emerge strong, I want them to be great. I have to create time for it because family matters to me.”
“But my husband also knows that I have big interest in music. He is never against it. In fact he is my no. 1 cheerleader. But what I was doing at that time to keep my music sense alive was to join the church choir even with my children. That’s why all of them love music, one of them is even my backup singer now. Now, the children are grown, I am blossoming in every area. Some things will take your sacrifice,” she revealed.
In her final charge to the students, she emphasized purpose, patience and excellence. She mentioned a trending song that was released in 2013 but is now currently trending after 13 years. She used the late Ron Kenoly’s music as an example of evergreen songs that were released decades ago but still retain freshness and power till date. “Breakthrough in the music industry often takes about 3–7 years. Be patient with growth. Let your purpose outlast trends, and let your depth in faith outweigh hype.”
The session ended with a standing ovation from students who described the encounter as “transformative and thought-provoking“