It is being hailed as the victory of gospel music over secular acts as Gaise Baba, a fast-rising gospel singer, has upset the music scene in the country after his hit track ‘No Turning Back ’emerged as Nigeria’s most-viewed music video on YouTube in 2025, beating industry heavyweights like Davido, Olamide and Burna Boy.
The song, featuring Pastor Lawrence Oyor, got a whopping 41 million views in six months, dominating YouTube’s yearly recap and making Gaise Baba the chart-topper of 2025.
The video also pulled 397,000 likes and no fewer than 22,000 comments, propelled largely by a massive wave of support from Nigeria’s rapidly expanding Christian music community.
Reacting to the achievement in the comment section of YouTube’s announcement post on Instagram, Gaise described the feat as proof of divine guidance and cultural influence.
“Big shout out to Pastor Lawrence Oyor and that warrior congregation of David Generation Church. See what the Lord has done with our simple obedience. Of a truth, we shift the culture,” he wrote.
Shallipopi’s ‘Laho’ emerged in second place on the music-video chart, while Davido and Omah Lay’s highly anticipated collaboration ‘With You’ settled for the third spot, underscoring Gaise Baba’s remarkable rise in a landscape typically dominated by Afrobeats stars such as Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Olamide.
YouTube’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Addy Awofisayo, said 2025 showcased “explosive musical talent and captivating storytellers,” stating that Nigerian content continues to gain global traction. According to her, 70 per cent of watch time for Nigerian channels now comes from viewers outside the country.
She added that watch time on YouTube through television screens in Nigeria rose by nearly 40 per cent in 2025, reflecting increased local engagement as well as the platform’s investment in creators through masterclasses, monetisation workshops, and partnerships with industry bodies.
“Nigerian content is reaching audiences farther than ever,” said Awofisayo, emphasising YouTube’s continued commitment to developing a thriving creator ecosystem.
