Did You Know: Dunsin Oyekan’s Connection to COZA

Dunsin Oyekan’s emergence as a leading voice in Nigerian gospel music owes much to his formative years at the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), where he cut his teeth in the church’s flagship choir, Avalanche. Under the leadership of Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, COZA’s worship culture provided a fertile environment for Oyekan’s early artistic development, shaping the prophetic sound that has become his hallmark.

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Foundational Ministry with Avalanche Choir

During his tenure at COZA, Oyekan served as Team Lead of Avalanche (COZA’s official choir) where he honed his skills on guitar and developed a passion for prophetic worship. Zfrica records that his tenure as Music Director spanned pivotal years (2010–2014), during which he oversaw the choir’s award-winning renditions and orchestrated thematic worship segments for major church events. COZA’s archive on Facebook nostalgically commemorates the era when Oyekan revolutionized the choir’s soundscape, integrating guitar-led prophetic interludes that have since become staples in Nigerian worship circles.

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Global Impact and Collaborative Milestones

Leveraging the platform COZA afforded him, Oyekan and the Avalanche Choir delivered a medley at the 2019 Abuja concert that resonated across digital platforms, garnering over 15,000 views within days and amplifying COZA’s reputation for cutting-edge worship experiences. A throwback Instagram clip from 2013 highlights the energy with which he and the choir ministered during COZA’s Jubilee celebrations, foreshadowing the global worship sessions he would later lead. His collaboration with American gospel icon Kim Burrell, performing “Na You” under the Avalanche banner, further bridged Nigerian and international worship cultures, showcasing COZA’s role as an incubator for transnational gospel partnerships.

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Ongoing Legacy and Ministry Synergy

Even after transitioning to a full-time solo ministry, Oyekan’s bond with COZA endures through periodic invitations to headline the church’s major worship conferences. In 2021, his rendition of “I Proclaim” at the Guzape Hills auditorium was hailed as a prophetic highlight, reflecting the anointing first nurtured within COZA’s choir ministry. A recent documentary, Before Fame: Dunsin Oyekan – COZA Journey, chronicles his progression from choir member to global worship leader, underscoring the church’s formative impact on his artistic and spiritual development. COZA’s ongoing mentorship programs continue to draw inspiration from Oyekan’s legacy, with younger worship leaders citing his Avalanche tenure as a blueprint for blending gospel authenticity with modern musicality.

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Conclusion

Tracing Dunsin Oyekan’s connection to COZA reveals a powerful narrative of musical innovation rooted in church-based ministry. His foundational years as guitarist, arranger, and director of the Avalanche Choir not only honed his craft but also contributed to COZA’s ascent as a cradle of gospel excellence. Subsequent global collaborations and sustained reunions with the church affirm a symbiotic relationship that has propelled contemporary Nigerian worship to new heights. As COZA continues to nurture future generations, Oyekan’s journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of ecclesial mentorship in shaping global gospel artistry.

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This article was first published on 25th April 2025
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