The Choir of Bishop Ajayi Crowther Memorial Anglican Church, Gowon Estate, Lagos, is set to release a unique music book chronicling the story of the transatlantic slave trade through the life and legacy of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther.
Titled Samuel Ajayi Crowther: The Slave Trade Untold Story, the 25-chapter work combines historical narrative with musical composition, offering what its creators describe as a “literature in music, melody, and harmony.”
The book will be officially unveiled at a press conference on Saturday, August 2.
Speaking on the forthcoming release, the choir director, Sir Kelechi Agu, said the book was inspired by the extraordinary life and witness of Bishop Crowther, the first African Anglican bishop.
“It reflects the story of his birth and enslavement to his redemption, consecration, and missionary impact,
“It offers a musical reflection on his journey while shedding light on overlooked aspects of the transatlantic slave trade and God’s sovereign grace through it all,” Agu said.
According to Agu, the work is significant for its rare historical depth, musical richness, and educational value.
“We travelled far and dug into the archives to get information that is not common.
“Many people don’t know about the family life of Ajayi Crowther. His wife, originally named Ashana, was also a slave. She was later renamed Susan, while Crowther himself was christened Samuel,” he said.
The choir said the music book, composed by Chibuikem Onwumere, took three years to develop. Each chapter includes a literary account of Crowther’s life, followed by a corresponding musical piece that illustrates the story.
“Ajayi Crowther embodies the story of slave trade. But beyond that, he helped to consolidate the Christian faith in Africa. His work made the gospel more acceptable to Africans,” Agu added.
“He even brought dynamism to the Anglican Church by introducing the beating of drums to worship, which nearly got him ostracised,” he also said.
He further described the publication as both an academic and artistic project, combining theology, history, and music to preserve Crowther’s legacy.
The book will be dedicated to the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. James Odedeji, and will also be presented to the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba. It will be available for purchase online and launched at multiple events within and beyond Lagos.
BACMAC Choir, known for its musical excellence and evangelical outreach, has represented Nigeria at various international choral events. These include the Africa Choral Gospel Championship in Rwanda (2020), where it won two silver medals, and the “Africa Sings” festivals in Togo (2021) and Benin Republic (2022). In 2023, it hosted the Church Music Convocation and Festival in Africa, attracting choirs from over 14 African countries.
Most recently, the choir received invitations to the World Choir Games in New Zealand and the Commonwealth Choral Festival in the UK. It participated in the latter in June 2025.
BACMAC has also performed classical choral pieces such as G.F. Handel’s Messiah (Parts 1–3), John Stainer’s The Crucifixion, and Joseph Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross.
The release of Samuel Ajayi Crowther: The Slave Trade Untold Story marks the choir’s first foray into music book publication. Over the years, it has earned accolades including Best Choir in Alimosho (Lagos), Most Artistic Choir – Nigeria Choral Music Awards, and Choral Excellence – National Hymn Festival.
