Religion And Prayers Haven’t Improved Nigeria, I’ve Been A Babalawo For 18 Years – 9ice

Nigerian singer Alexander Adegbola Akande, popularly known as 9ice, has shared his view that foreign religions and constant prayers have not brought meaningful progress to Nigeria.

Speaking at a recent event covered by GoldMyne TV, 9ice argued that religion and prayer have not helped move the nation forward.

The singer, who openly describes himself as a traditionalist, questioned the heavy focus many Nigerians place on Christianity and Islam.

According to him, countries like the United Kingdom, where religion is less central to everyday life, appear to be doing better economically and socially.

He pointed to Nigeria’s natural wealth, saying the country has resources like crude oil and many other advantages, yet still struggles with underdevelopment.

9ice said many people abroad focus more on work, while Nigerians often spend much of their time attending church programs, prayer meetings, Bible studies, and vigils instead of fixing practical problems themselves.

He said, “You’ll leave Nigeria and go to Mecca to go and lick rock all in the name of Kabba, ever since you’ve been calling on Allah and Jesus, this country hasn’t gotten any better.”

 “We have crude oil, we have everything we need, yet we are backwards.. If you go to London, nobody goes to church there, yet they are better than Nigeria.

“They go to work on Sundays but Nigerians go to church. A lot of Nigerians spend most their time in church in the name of weekly services.

‘You go to church on Sunday, bible study on Wednesday, and vigil on Friday; when would you work? You don’t have a job, but you are constantly going to church.” They pray over everything, including things that should fix themselves,” he lamented.

9ice also revealed that he has been a Babalawo for more than 18 years but kept it private because he feared people might judge him or stay away if they knew.

“I’ve been a Babalawo now for more than 18 years, but I hide. Because if you know, you will run away from me. So I’ve been hiding it,” he said.

Speaking further, the singer explained the meaning of Odun Ifa, describing it as a traditional spiritual celebration connected to a person’s life path.

He compared it to how people talk about star signs, saying everyone has a birth cycle linked to spiritual guidance.

According to him, the celebration is a way of thanking God for the past year while also seeking direction, wisdom, and blessings for the future.

“When we do our Odun Ifa, we are appreciating God for what he has done before, and then you preparing that night for the next three days that the year that is yet to come. Please guide me, tell me what i need to know,” he said.

The singer added that he wants to express his spirituality through songs in a way that feels modern and relatable, especially for younger people, while still staying true to African tradition.

“I just thought, which topic of the song do I like to talk about to let my people know my kind of God. When I want to sing about my God, it is so traditional; there is a way we sing about my God. I want to start making it appealing for our generation,” he added.

Watch the video below:

“…….you’ll leave Nigeria and go to Mecca to go and lick rock all in the name of Kabba, ever since you’ve been calling on Allah and Jesus, this country hasn’t gotten any better. If you go to London, nobody goes to church there.”

– 9ice says 👀 pic.twitter.com/wKiRSJKsGh

— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) April 9, 2026

“I’m not a Christian nor a Muslim, I’m a babalawo and when I tell people that, they run away from me. When you sing as an artiste, watch what you say in words cos the dev!l controls music”

-9ice https://t.co/k58FjD8dSV pic.twitter.com/sKkD4UmH11

— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) April 9, 2026

KanyiDaily recalls that in 2023, 9ice revealed that he would vote for President Bola Tinubu in the general election because he requested his phone number.