Emmanuel Benjamin (born September 9, 1979, in Lagos, Nigeria), known professionally as Eben, is a Nigerian gospel singer, vocalist, songwriter, and worship leader.
The fifth of six children raised in a Christian home in Lagos, he started his musical journey in youth choirs before becoming one of Nigeria’s most recognised gospel voices.
He is known for high-energy Afro-pop and dance-influenced gospel music, and his hit songs Victory, God All by Yourself, and Imarama have earned him millions of fans and multiple international awards.
He is also the founder of Hammer House of Rock record label and Hammer House Ventures.
Eben — At a Glance
| Full Name | Emmanuel Benjamin |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Eben |
| Born | September 9, 1979, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Age | 46 (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Lagos (raised); Igbo heritage |
| Tribe | Igbo |
| Spouse | Jahdiel (Grace Okoduwa) — married November 30, 2013 |
| Children | Two sons |
| Education | Orile Primary School; Community Grammar School, Orile, Lagos |
| Occupation | Gospel singer, vocalist, songwriter, entrepreneur |
| Genre | Gospel, Afro-pop, contemporary gospel, hip-hop gospel |
| Label | Hammer House of Rock |
| Years Active | 1997 – present |
| Net Worth | Estimated $370,000 – $600,000 |
What Does “Eben” Mean?
“Eben” is a Hebrew word meaning “stone” or “rock.” In the Bible, the name appears most famously in 1 Samuel 7:12, where the prophet Samuel sets up a stone of remembrance and names it Ebenezer, meaning “thus far the Lord has helped us.”
The shortened form, Eben, carries that same idea of a firm foundation. For a gospel artist whose music is built on the confession that God is an unshakeable rock, the name fits perfectly.
Early Life and Background
Eben was born Emmanuel Benjamin on September 9, 1979, in Lagos, Nigeria. He was the fifth of six children in a Christian household where faith was not just practised on Sundays — it shaped everyday life.
Growing up in the Orile area of Lagos, he attended Orile Primary School before completing his secondary education at Community Grammar School in the same neighbourhood.
He was not always pointed toward gospel music. In the 1990s, he began exploring music through his elder brother, who mentored him in rap.
But something else was pulling at him. He discovered that his real gift was not rap but singing, and that singing felt most alive when it was pointed at God.
Early Church Roots: Winners’ Chapel
Before he became associated with Christ Embassy, Eben had his roots in Winners’ Chapel (Living Faith Church), where he sang in the youth choir from the early 1990s.
This is where his love for gospel music was properly formed — in the choir rows of one of Nigeria’s largest Pentecostal churches.
Music Career
The Breakthrough at Christ Embassy (2005–2006)
In 2005, Eben made his first major public appearance at a youth conference organised by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
The song Imarama was heard there for the first time, and it connected instantly. That single moment changed everything.
In 2006, Eben formally joined Christ Embassy, the ministry founded by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, and became part of its music community.
The platform Christ Embassy provided gave him the exposure that his talent deserved.
Debut Album: On the Rock (2007)
Eben released his debut studio album, On the Rock, in 2007. It featured songs like Imaranma, God Dey, Iwo Nikan, and I Don Hammer.
The album established his signature sound: Afro-pop rhythms layered over sincere declarations of faith, delivered with the energy of a man who genuinely believes what he is singing.
Discography
| # | Album Title | Year | Notable Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | On the Rock | 2007 | Imaranma, God Dey, I Don Hammer |
| 2 | Phenomenon | 2010 | Supper Man, Imele Papa, Siya Nma |
| 3 | Justified | 2013 | You Alone Are Worthy, Onye Nwem, How I Love You |
| 4 | Magnified | 2015 | Stayed On You, Idi Nma, Everything, Lifted Hands |
| 5 | Victory | 2016 | Victory, God All by Yourself |
| 6 | The Harvest | 2021 | Various worship tracks |
What Is Eben’s Most Popular Song?
Eben’s most popular and culturally defining song is Victory, released in 2016. The song went viral across Nigeria and beyond, earning millions of streams and becoming a worship staple in churches.
It lifted Eben to a new level of visibility and is the track most often cited when his name comes up.
Other fan-favourites include Imarama, God All by Yourself, Jesus at the Centre, and Shepherd of My Soul.
Joyful Noise Concert (2019)
In September 2019, Eben hosted his own live concert, Joyful Noise 2019, in Lagos. The event featured American gospel musicians Bob Fitts and Phil Thompson alongside Nigerian gospel artists.
Hosting his own concert of that scale marked a significant moment in his career trajectory.
Hammer House of Rock: The Business Side
Eben is not just a singer. He is an entrepreneur who has built a music ecosystem around his craft.
He founded Hammer House of Rock, his record label, along with its business arm, Hammer House Ventures. The ventures arm covers video and music production, event management, and interior decoration.
Running a label while maintaining an active performing career is not easy. Eben’s ability to do both reflects the kind of disciplined ambition that runs through everything he has built.
Eben’s Wife: Who Is Jahdiel?
[IMAGE: Eben and Jahdiel at their wedding ceremony]
Eben’s wife is Jahdiel, whose full name is Grace Okoduwa. She is also a well-known Nigerian gospel singer in her own right, which makes their marriage a union of two committed gospel ministers.
They got married on November 30, 2013, in a widely celebrated ceremony. Their white wedding followed in December of the same year.
The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy, the man under whose ministry both Eben and Jahdiel had grown. The couple has two sons.
Where Is Eben From in Nigeria?
Eben is from Lagos State, where he was born and raised. By ethnicity, he is Igbo, which is reflected in many of his songs that feature Igbo lyrics and phrases.
His Igbo heritage is a significant part of his identity both as a person and as an artist.
Is Eben a Gospel Singer?
Yes, Eben is a gospel singer. He has been making gospel music professionally since 2007 and has never crossed into secular music.
His entire catalogue is rooted in Christian worship and praise, though his production style — which blends Afro-pop, hip-hop, and dance rhythms — has kept his music accessible to listeners beyond the traditional church audience.
Awards and Recognition
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | PBO Musical Video Awards | Winner |
| 2013 | Africa Gospel Music Awards | Best Western Africa Artist |
| 2014 | Crystal Awards | Album of the Year |
| 2015 | LIMA Awards | Songwriter of the Year; Worship Song of the Year; BLW Award |
| Various | National Gospel Music Awards Nigeria | Best Male Artiste (nomination) |
| Various | Africa Gospel Music Award UK | Best Male Artiste |
Net Worth
Eben’s net worth is estimated between $370,000 and $600,000, depending on the source.
His income comes from music sales, live performances, studio production, his record label, and his business ventures under Hammer House Ventures.
As a multi-income entrepreneur, his financial profile extends well beyond performance fees.
He is consistently ranked among the top 10 richest gospel musicians in Nigeria, though he is not at the top of that list — singers like Sinach and others have larger international streaming footprints.
Influence and Legacy
Eben helped define the era of Afro-influenced Nigerian gospel. His willingness to bring hip-hop energy and dance rhythms into worship spaces made gospel music feel alive and immediate to a younger generation that might have otherwise tuned it out.
He has shared stages with artists like Nathaniel Bassey, Sinach, Samsong, and international names like Tye Tribbett and Don Moen at “The Experience” concert, Nigeria’s largest annual gospel event.
His continued relevance after nearly two decades in the industry speaks to an artistry that does not go stale.
Interesting Facts About Eben
- His real name is Emmanuel Benjamin. “Eben” comes from the Hebrew word for “stone” or “rock.”
- He began his musical journey in the youth choir at Winners’ Chapel (Living Faith Church) before moving to Christ Embassy.
- His marriage to fellow gospel singer Jahdiel (Grace Okoduwa) was officiated by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
- He is the fifth of six children.
- He started as a rapper mentored by his elder brother before discovering his true gift was singing.
- He founded two companies: Hammer House of Rock (record label) and Hammer House Ventures (production and events).
- His 2016 song Victory went viral across Nigeria and is still played in churches today.
Timeline
- 1979 — Born Emmanuel Benjamin, September 9, in Lagos, Nigeria
- Early 1990s — Begins singing in youth choir at Winners’ Chapel
- 1997 — Starts music career; initially mentored as a rapper by his elder brother
- 2005 — First major public appearance at a Chris Oyakhilome youth conference; Imarama is heard publicly for the first time
- 2006 — Joins Christ Embassy
- 2007 — Releases debut album On the Rock
- 2010 — Releases Phenomenon
- 2013 — Releases Justified; marries Jahdiel (Grace Okoduwa) in November
- 2014 — Wins Crystal Awards Album of the Year
- 2015 — Releases Magnified; wins multiple LIMA Awards
- 2016 — Releases Victory; song goes viral nationally
- 2019 — Hosts Joyful Noise 2019 concert
- 2021 — Releases The Harvest
- 2025 — Continues releasing singles including Yea and Amen and Na God
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Eben” mean?
“Eben” is a Hebrew word meaning “stone” or “rock.” It is derived from the same root as Ebenezer, used in 1 Samuel 7:12 to mean “stone of help.” For a worship singer whose music centers on the unshakeable nature of God, the name carries real meaning.
Where is Eben from in Nigeria?
Eben is from Lagos State, where he was born and raised. By ethnicity, he is Igbo. He grew up in the Orile community of Lagos and attended school there throughout his childhood.
Who is Eben’s wife?
Eben’s wife is Jahdiel, also known as Grace Okoduwa. She is a Nigerian gospel singer in her own right. They married in November 2013 in a ceremony officiated by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, and they have two sons together.
Is Eben married?
Yes. Eben has been married to gospel singer Jahdiel (Grace Okoduwa) since November 2013. Their marriage is well documented and they have two sons.
What is Eben’s net worth?
Eben’s net worth is estimated between $370,000 and $600,000. He earns through music performance, album sales, his record label (Hammer House of Rock), and his business arm (Hammer House Ventures).
