What takes two years to cook and still comes out sizzling? For Nigerian gospel artist Omoniyi Oni, the answer was clear: Worth Waiting For. Dropped on December 17, 2020, Oni’s nine-track debut album wasn’t just another gospel project, it was a slow-burn offering, years in the making, but unmistakably rich in sound and spirit. And even one year on, it hasn’t lost its steam.

Unlike many fast-paced releases built for the TikTok age, Oni sat on Worth Waiting For for nearly two full years after it was completed in 2018. Why? In his words, he was “listening and tweaking the mix,” waiting for the right moment. The delay might’ve seemed risky back then, but now it reads like strategy. The project wasn’t rushed; it was curated.

From the opening notes of “Welcome Here” a serene blend of pads and prayerful lyrics, it’s clear the album is more than music; it’s a miniature liturgy. The flow is intentional: “I Worship You” and “Faithful” bring gratitude into focus, before tracks like “We Proclaim” and “Name So Sweet” turn outward with bold declarations of Christ’s lordship and love. Then comes the standout Yoruba-sung gem “Iyin Mi Oto”, translated “My Praise is Not Enough”, bringing cultural depth and local flavour. The closing track “Holy” is a whisper-soft benediction that fades like a prayer at dawn.
The production doesn’t sit still either. Electric guitars shimmer, sub-bass rumbles warm, and percussion moves between continents, seamlessly blending Afro-rhythms with global stadium vibes. Oni’s use of both English and Yoruba isn’t just poetic; it’s strategic. Verses flow in Yoruba, hooks open up in plain English. That duality invites a global audience without losing its soul.

One year in, the numbers speak volumes. As of November 30, 2021, Oni had over 6,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, with most streams still coming from Worth Waiting For. For an independent worship artist with no label machine behind him, that’s a quiet triumph.

And while mainstream gospel press might’ve slept on it, Nigerian blog Gospel Naija called it “a sound with the breath of the Almighty.” International playlist curators have taken note too, slotting tracks like “Know You More” and “Holy” into reflective worship rotations in the US, UK, and Canada.

In a time when artists chase virality and algorithms, Worth Waiting For makes a bold statement: authentic art takes time. What looked like a delay now feels like design. The album’s themes of patience, hope, healing, and obedience aren’t just lyrical; they’re lived.
Stream and download Omoniyi Oni’s Worth Waiting For on all digital platforms.