Judikay has become one of Nigeria’s most recognisable gospel voices since her breakthrough hit “More Than Gold” in 2019. The singer-songwriter, born Judith Kanayo-Opara, didn’t just capture hearts with that collaboration featuring Mercy Chinwo. She’s built a career that’s evolved from backup singer to label signee to independent artist running her own record company.
Biography
Judith Ifeyinwa Kanayo was born on October 26, 1994, in Sango Otta, Ogun State, making her 31 years old as of December 2025. She’s the first of four children and hails from Oshimili South Local Government Area in Asaba, Delta State. Despite sharing a surname with the famous Nollywood actor, there’s no family connection to Kanayo O. Kanayo, a question she’s addressed multiple times over the years.
Growing up in Ogun State, Judikay attended Dalos College in Ota for her secondary education. She later pursued a degree in Theatre Arts at Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State, owned by the Redeemed Christian Church of God. After completing her studies, she served her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year in Imoru, Ose Local Government Area, Ondo State, where she worked as a Community Liaison Officer.
Her Igbo heritage and Delta State roots remain essential to her identity, often reflected in the indigenous language elements woven into her music. The stage name “Judikay” emerged as a natural contraction of Judith Kanayo, eventually becoming the name her fans know her by.
Career
Judikay’s music career began humbly as a backup singer for gospel artist Florocka (Akinwunmi Nathan Oluniyi Akiremi). She spent years supporting other artists before releasing her debut single “Nobody Else” in 2013. It wasn’t an overnight success story, but rather years of steady work in Nigeria’s gospel music circuit, learning the craft and building connections.
Everything changed in 2019 when she signed with EeZee Conceptz, joining a roster that included celebrated names like Mercy Chinwo, GUC, and Chris Morgan. That same year, she released “More Than Gold,” a worship song that became a defining moment in contemporary Nigerian gospel music. The collaboration with Mercy Chinwo elevated both artists, and the song’s music video has since accumulated over 35 million YouTube views.
Albums and Major Releases
Her debut album, “Man of Galilee,” arrived in November 2019, featuring 14 tracks. Songs like “Omemma,” “Capable God,” and “Song of Angels” became popular in churches across Nigeria.
In June 2022, she released her second studio album, “From This Heart,” a 12-track project that included hits like “Mudiana” and “Jesus is Coming.” The album earned her a Boomplay Plaque for reaching 50 million streams by May 2023. “Mudiana” particularly resonated with audiences, going viral on TikTok in Kenya and expanding her reach beyond Nigeria.
Her third album, “All Things New,” dropped in November 2024, marking a significant milestone as her first independent release under Intimacy Sounds Records. The 14-track project features collaborations with various artists and includes songs like “Dance Anyhow,” “God Is,” and “No Agenda,” which features her husband, Pastor Anselem Opara.
Throughout 2023 to 2025, she’s maintained a consistent release schedule with singles like “Jehovah ‘Meliwo” featuring 121 Selah, “Imela,” “Solid Rock (Live),” and “Dwelling,” showcasing her evolution as an artist unafraid to experiment with different sounds within the gospel genre.
Awards and Recognition
In 2019, Judikay won Breakthrough Artist of Excellence at the Africa Gospel Music & Media Awards (AGMMA). The following year brought two more wins: Best Breakthrough Female Minister at the Maranatha Awards and African Artist of the Year at the Impact Gospel Awards.
Beyond awards, the numbers tell their own story. “Capable God” ranked number one on Boomplay’s 2021 Top 50 Gospel Songs. By October 2024, she’d surpassed 100 million streams on Boomplay and received a commemorative plaque. Her presence on Audiomack is equally impressive, with over 1 million followers and 155 million total plays.
She’s shared stages with gospel heavyweights including Frank Edwards, Chioma Jesus, Nathaniel Bassey, Moses Bliss, and Tim Godfrey. Her performances at The African Praise Experience (TAPE) in 2022 and 2023 at Rock Cathedral Lagos drew massive audiences, with the 2023 livestream attracting over 400,000 viewers from more than 50 countries.
Label Independence
In February 2024, Judikay parted ways with EeZee Conceptz after her five-year contract ended. The departure involved financial disputes over revenue transparency, leading her to eventually step away from legal action in January 2025, choosing instead to “prioritize the unity of the body of Christ.”
She now co-owns and operates Intimacy Sounds Records with her husband, giving her complete control over her music catalogue and revenue streams. In August 2024, she partnered with M.A.D Solutions, Africa’s leading indigenous music distributor, ensuring her independent releases reach audiences across streaming platforms.
Personal Life
Judikay married Pastor Ikechukwu Anselem Opara in 2020 through two ceremonies. Their traditional marriage took place on August 15, 2020, in the Oshimili Local Government Area of Delta State. The church wedding followed on November 7, 2020, at the Christian Pentecostal Mission in Lagos. The original October 24 date had to be postponed due to the #EndSARS protests and the tragic Lekki Tollgate incident.
Her husband serves at Cross Point Church in Lekki, Lagos, and founded The Resurrected Global Network. He works as an entrepreneur and leadership coach, and the couple now co-leads both The Resurrected Global Network and their record label.
On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, they welcomed their first child, a son. Judikay announced the birth on Instagram with the simple but joyful caption: “22-03-22…IT’S A BOY!…Glory to God for this amazing gift to us.”
Net Worth
Judikay’s net worth is estimated between $100,000 and $200,000 as of 2024-2025, though exact figures remain unverified.
Her primary income sources include music streaming royalties from platforms such as Boomplay (100+ million streams), Audiomack (155+ million plays), and Spotify (approximately 560,000 monthly listeners). She also earns through ministry honorariums from concert appearances and church events, album sales from her three studio releases, and YouTube monetisation.
The 2024 transition to owning Intimacy Sounds Records marks a significant shift in her finances. As an independent artist, she now retains a much larger share of the revenue from her music than under traditional label contracts.
