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The life, faith, and musical legacy of the leader of the C.A.C. Good Women Choir, Ibadan
Early Life and Family Background
Mrs Deborah Adebola Fasoyin was born on 1 March 1940 in Oyo town, present-day Oyo State, Nigeria, into the family of Mr and Mrs Joseph Afolabi. She was the youngest of six children and the only daughter in the household.
Her father, Joseph Afolabi, combined subsistence farming with employment as a cook for European staff at Saint Andrew’s Teacher Training School, Oyo, while her mother, Mary Olaegbe Afolabi, was a trader originally from Ogbomosho. The family environment exposed her early to discipline, hard work, and Christian values, all of which later shaped her ministry and leadership style.
Education and Early Working Life
Mrs Fasoyin began her formal education in 1947 at Saint Andrew’s Demonstration School, Oyo. In 1956, she proceeded to Orita-Metta Baptist Girls’ Modern School, Ibadan, one of the notable institutions for female education in Western Nigeria during the colonial period.
Alongside her musical development, she built a stable professional career in retail management. On 1 December 1958, she joined Kingsway Stores, a major British-owned retail chain operating in Nigeria at the time. Through diligence and competence, she rose to managerial level and remained with the company until June 1987, when she voluntarily resigned as a store manager after nearly three decades of service.
Marriage and Family Life
In 1961, Deborah Adebola married Elder Olusola Fasoyin, a committed member of the Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C.). Their marriage produced four children, comprising two sons and two daughters. Her husband’s church affiliation later influenced her denominational transition and deepened her involvement in Pentecostal gospel music.
Journey into Gospel Music
Mrs Fasoyin’s musical journey began at a very young age. In 1949, she joined the choir of Saint Michael’s Anglican Church, Oyo, where her vocal talent and passion for sacred music became evident. She remained an active chorister through her youth.
Following her marriage, she moved from Anglican worship to the Christ Apostolic Church, aligning her musical expression with Pentecostal spirituality. A defining moment in her career came when she participated in a recording project organised by Pastor Kayode Abiara at C.A.C. Oke Imole, Agbeni, Ibadan. This exposure revealed her distinctive ability as a lead chanter and gospel vocalist, marking the beginning of wider recognition.
The C.A.C. Good Women Choir and Musical Impact
The C.A.C. Good Women Choir, Ibadan, was formed in 1975 and quickly became one of the most influential female gospel ensembles in Southwestern Nigeria. Mrs D.A. Fasoyin served as the long-standing leader, composer, and creative force behind many of the group’s songs.
One of their most historically significant recordings is the album Wonderful Mo Boluwa Duro, released in 1982 under the Ibukun Orisun Iye Records label.
Album details:
Artists: C.A.C. Good Women Choir, Ibadan & District
Leader: Mrs D.A. Fasoyin
Title: Wonderful Mo Boluwa Duro
Label: Ibukun Orisun Iye Records
Catalogue number: MOLPS 85
Genre: Yoruba gospel, choral music
Year: 1982
The choir is particularly remembered for the evergreen song “Odun Nlo Sopin”, which remains a staple in Yoruba Christian worship decades after its release.
Awards, Recognition, and Influence
Mrs Fasoyin’s contributions to gospel music have earned her numerous local and international awards, reflecting both her artistic excellence and spiritual influence. Notable recognitions include:
Crystal Award
Wise Women Awards (UK) – Naomi Category (2013)
YOMAFA Award
PMAN Award for Most Evergreen Song (“Odun Nlo Sopin”)
She is also a recognised member of the Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN).
Beyond awards, her enduring legacy lies in mentorship. She has served as a role model and spiritual guide to many men and women within the Nigerian gospel music community.
Later Life and Legacy
Mrs Deborah Adebola Fasoyin currently resides in Ibadan, Oyo State. Her life represents a rare balance of professional excellence, musical ministry, and family commitment.
Through her leadership of the C.A.C. Good Women Choir and her enduring compositions, she occupies a permanent place in the history of Yoruba gospel music and Nigerian Christian choral tradition.
Source
Christ Apostolic Church Good Women Choir, Ibadan
Official Choir Archive
Nigerian gospel music discography records
PMAN and GOMAN award records.
SB E-news.
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