Minister Temitope Monique Biography, Net Worth, and Ministry
Minister Temitope Monique (née Fabiyi), often known as “Monique,” is a talented Nigerian female gospel artiste, songwriter, and influencer.
Monique is from Ishaga, a Lagos state. She was born to Mr. and Mrs. Simeon Adebisi Fabiyi. Her father is an engineer who also happens to be the Osi Oba of Ishaga country, and her mother is a businesswoman. Monique is the ninth child of a family of nine.
Minister Monique grew up in Iju, where she attended Iju St. Kisito Primary School and Iju Grammar School, where she participated in morning assemblies and the school choir. She attended Lagos State University but was forced to withdraw due to her constant engagement caused by her involvement in music, so she dropped out of school to face music squarely. But her thirst for higher education came back again, and she decided to enroll into Yaba College of Technology where she graduate in Business Administration and also hot a certificate in Computer Science.
Monique is happily married to her heartthrob, and Mr. Rasque has children.
Monique began her musical career at the age of six as a member of the lead choir at Christ Miracle Church before moving on to Abundant Life Church to pursue her music ministry from 1997 to 2000.
In 1999, she won the “Circle of Stars” competition organized by Goldmine International. She has recorded singles for several organizations, such as Kennis Music, Primetime Africa, and others. She is currently the music director of the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s (RCCG) Presence Assembly.
Album
Monique’s debut album, “New Story,” was published in 2009. In 2011, she also published “Atobi Ju” (The Almighty). She also remixed Oba-Gbogbo Aye (King of the Universe).
Here are some of Monique’s tracks:
Power flow
Yahweh
Onyeoma
You are God
Not for sale
Networth
There is no estimated figure for Monique
Social media accounts:
Monique Temitope Fabiyi on Facebook, @moniquenaija on Instagram
My grandma, who lives in France, gave me the name Monique. I am from the Lagos State town of Ishaga. Engineer Simeon Adebisi Fabiyi, my father, is the Osi Oba of Ishagaland. My mom owns a business. My family consisted of nine children: six boys and three girls. I am the last of the “joyful crowd.” My family is quite close, and we grew up together, treating each other with care, love, and concern.
My seniors were all good to me not because I was the kid in the family but also because they too were naturally brought up to love and respect people, status not withstanding. We were brought up with modesty in taste; we were made to appreciate little things and to value all things. Morality in words, deeds and association was paramount in my upbringing. My parents never allowed technology to close the door on God and His methods for us. This is something I am very proud of. I appreciate my parents for this, as well as my brothers for forcing me, their younger sister, to stay online. Yes, they were my disciplinarians, hands of love and care, and life teachers.
Education
I went to St. Kisito Primary School in Iju and used to lead the school in songs during the morning assembly. I went to Iju Grammar School, where I continued to sing in the school chorus and at morning assembly. This gave me the opportunity to meet numerous groups from other schools at various competitions.
I met Midnight Crew members at similar competitions. We are now very close. They are really important to my musical career. Bouqui, the gospel rapper, is another close friend of mine. We met years ago, and I thank God that our relationship is still going strong.
The message became clear to me: No one in the family was allowed to misbehave. As a result, I never had a boyfriend in high school or college. This is why I don’t have the typical love stories of heartbreak, disappointment, double dating, and so on. My husband is my first love. He is my buddy, lover, and husband.
Courtship and marriage
People used to see us together going out and coming in. This was the time I was getting serious with music. As an established artiste, my husband was helping me in the studio to put my songs together. It was this that led to our closeness. And when my brothers noticed this, they threatened to deal with him. I was surprised the day he came to our house and pleaded with my brothers. He boldly told them that whatever the case, he planned to take me to the altar. This was a surprise to everyone. Eventually, he had his way. The courtship was permitted, and the wedding took place in 2005. Since then, my name has been lawfully changed to Mrs. Temitope Monique Lawal. We have two lovely children, Eyimofe, a girl, and Jamal, a boy.
Music talent
All my school days, I saw my involvement in music as just a show of interest and talent. This took me out of Lagos State University where I was forced to withdrawal due to engagement upon engagement that took my days and nights. It was one of my friendly lecturers who advised me to drop one for the other or I would fail in both. I dropped out of school and faced music squarely. But because of my thirst for higher education, I again enrolled at Yaba College of Technology where I eventually graduated in Business Administration.
And together with a certificate in Computer Science, I got a job in Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB). Interestingly, what happened to me at Lagos State University surfaced again while at GTB. It happened that I couldn’t concentrate much on banking because of concert engagements. Many ministries, organizations and churches were inviting me to feature in their concerts or programmes. This led to many financial loses that eventually forced me out of banking. Once again, I found myself at a crossroad.
Choir squabbling
I began singing as a leading choir member at Christ Miracle Church when I was six years old. I was on my way to Abundant Life Church. This occurred between 1997 and 2000. I stopped going to church because there was often squabbling and distrust among the choristers. I was one of three people who led praise and worship. As a result, individuals I met there wondered, “Who is this lady who appeared out of nowhere and quickly became prominent?” It got so horrible that I just gave up. I lost passion for going to church and then concentrated on shows and concerts. It was in one of such concerts organized by Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock that I got more recognized. I also took part in Circle of Stars competition where I emerged the overall winner. This was in 1999.
Music ministry
It took me sometime before I could find my way back into church. I joined the Redeemed Christian Church of God, His Presence Assembly. Initially, I was not regular but I sat up when I discovered that the congregation was unlike others and the pastor-in-charge urged me to take music more seriously. It was in this process that I discovered that music is the ministry given to me by God.
Music and deliverance
Anytime we had a special programme in the church like deliverance or healing, people used to fall down whenever I sang. Even this happens during Sunday services; I couldn’t believe it. Now, I have resigned myself to life in the music ministry, totally submitted myself to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I got born again in 1994 and rededicated myself to Christ in 2006.
Albums
In 2009, I launched my first album, New Story. It only features four tracks. In 2011, I released Atobi Ju (the Almighty). Early this year, I re-mixed Oba-Gbogbo Aye (King of the Universe). Previously, I relied heavily on tracks from other artists. Regardless, my audience consistently tells me that I sing the song better than the original. I occasionally sing a few of my own songs. Things changed when I gave my life to Christ. I now write lyrics and songs as if I were born with them. Songs come to me in unexpected ways and places. This is why I always have a notebook with me since inspiration can strike at any time. I’ve composed songs for other artists.
My husband, Rasque
Life would have been different if not that I am married to my best friend. Only few husbands will allow their wives to sleep while they cook in the kitchen, only to wake her up to come and eat. My husband takes care of the chIldren more than I do. He drives me to shows and concerts. He has been very wonderful. My husband too is a musician, he is known as Rasque and the brain behind such secular hits as Soji (Awake) and Ati Ready (We Are Ready). Both are successful albums.
Plans for the future
I plan to release more inspiring albums, make good films to spread the gospel, and remain a part of the body of Christ for the rest of my life.
The message became clear to me: No one was allowed to misbehave in the family. As a result, I had no boyfriends throughout secondary school and even in tertiary education. This is why I don’t have the typical love stories of heartbreaks, disappointments, double dating, and so on. My husband is the first love of my life. He’s my friend, lover, and husband all rolled into one.
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