Popular Nigerian gospel singer Moses Bliss is facing backlash online following a graphic design challenge he introduced on social media.
The singer had invited graphic designers to create promotional materials for his upcoming show in Abuja, with a promise of a possible employment for the best submission.
However, the initiative quickly triggered backlash, with many creatives accusing him of devaluing professional work.
Critics argue that such open calls often encourage unpaid labour, with multiple designers submitting ideas while only one may benefit, leaving others uncompensated despite their effort.
Reacting to the controversy, a user, @Oluwatobiotun, expressed disappointment, stating that the issue goes beyond the request itself and reflects how design is often undervalued.
The user noted that while talent scouting is valid, expecting numerous designers to submit unpaid concepts for a single opportunity is problematic.
“Designers are often expected to submit concepts with no real commitment.
“Talent scouting is fine, but open submissions with many people doing unpaid work for one slot isn’t the best structure.
“This isn’t new, we have expressed outrage and discontent consistently at this type of requests across social media for many years and it shouldn’t still be happening. It’s a gross lack of understanding and poor strategy and less bad intent.
“Yes, it can generate publicity stunt and yes, exposure for designer can come from things like this, but exposure is not a substitute for valuing the craft and the business behind it.
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“It’s saddening that in 2026 designers are still treated like this, and design is still viewed as something someone does as a hobby,” the user said.
Another user, @peacegeorgej1, offered a different perspective, suggesting that while experienced designers may reject the approach, emerging creatives might see it as an opportunity to gain visibility or secure future jobs.
Similarly, @Adonis_x_ questioned why the singer did not adopt a more structured hiring process, such as reviewing portfolios or reaching out to known professionals instead of issuing an open challenge.
“When I saw it, first thing that came to my mind was, so, you mean Moses Bliss doesn’t know any good designer or he can’t ask his friends?
“So, he also cannot create a link, and screen designers thru portfolios instead ?”
@Ops4choice compared the situation to performance standards in the music industry, arguing that the singer himself would not perform for free with only a promise of payment if successful.
“Moses Bliss would not perform at an event for free on the promise that if the crowd likes him, he will be paid.
I wonder why he asked designers to do what he would never do himself.”
Meanwhile, @dee_deevyne suggested that regardless of the backlash, the challenge could still generate significant publicity for the singer’s event.
“Sha Moses Bliss will get free PR for his event that’s for sure. I’m not the designer so why am I even crying?”
