Music
Nigerian music star Abolore “9ice” Akande has raised concerns about Nigeria’s developmental struggles, questioning the impact of the country’s deep religious devotion.
The 46-year-old singer made the remarks on Wednesday during the listening party for his album, “Beginning of Wisdom,” held in Yaba, Lagos.
The “Gongo Aso” crooner said although he had previously practised both Christianity and Islam, he had not observed any tangible link between religious devotion and national progress.
Now a practitioner of traditional religion, the singer argued that Nigeria’s challenges could only be addressed by reconnecting with its cultural and spiritual roots.
Speaking on the need for leadership and structural change, he said, “For us to have a good president in Nigeria, we need to go back to our roots. Many of our problems are not being addressed at the root; we need to tackle them from the foundation. If things begin to make sense to us, and if the God we call upon is truly enough, we wouldn’t feel the need to compete with anyone. Whatever I do should not concern you. We need to return to our roots.”
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He also criticised what he described as excessive religious activity without corresponding productivity.
“Since we started calling on Jesus and Allah, this country has not gotten better. We have oil, we have bitumen, we have everything, yet we are still lagging. If you go to London, nobody goes to church; they go to work. Here, we go to church on Sunday, have Bible study on Wednesday, and have a night vigil on Friday. When do we go to work? You don’t have a job, yet you’re always in church.”
The singer, who is the CEO of Alapomeji Entertainment Limited and founder of Alapomeji Ancestral Record, revealed that he has quietly practised traditional African spirituality for nearly two decades.
According to him, he has immersed himself in its teachings, including performing sacred songs, consulting the oracle, and interpreting its messages, while striving to connect across generations.
“I’ve been Babalawo now for more than 18 years, but I hide it because some people will run from me if they know. So I’ve been hiding it. So, there’s something we call ‘Odun Ifa’, and when we do it, it’s like you are appreciating God and thanking Him for what He has done before. But on that night you’re praying for the year that is yet to come, please guide me. Please tell me what I need to do. Please tell me what I need to run away from.
“So I’ve been hiding and doing it. And I was thinking, which topic of the song do I want to talk about? Rather than looking. Let my people know my kind of God. My own God. Then if I want to think about my God, He’s so traditional. There’s a way we call ourselves. There’s something oracle said about the hair, hands and everything in life”, 9ice said.
Reflecting on his personal journey, the singer said he has evolved beyond his former identity and has now embraced what he considers his true self.
“I’m not that person anymore. This is who I am now. It’s a journey. When I was a Muslim, people knew it. I observed my prayers diligently. When I was a Christian, I devoted my time to everything I did. But now, I’m a different person. I think I’ve found my true calling. I don’t feel the need to release songs every day. I’ve been through different phases in my life, but I believe where I am now is the best.
“If it were then, when my priest was praying, people would have run away, thinking, ‘they have come again.’ People are different now. If you ask for the surnames of people sitting here, you’ll hear Ogunwande, Ogunyemi, and Sobanjo. But where are the Ogun and Oso in your homes? Now people say their name is Jesus— have you seen Jesus before?”, said the singer.
Recently, 9ice also performed at the 2026 Lagos Fanti Carnival alongside Teni, Queen Niniola, Reminisce, and Terry Apala.
The event, held at Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island, featured energetic performances, with 9ice delivering renditions of his classic songs, including “Gonga Aso,” while Teni thrilled fans with tracks such as “Case,” “Askamaya,” and “For You.”
In a related development, the singer disclosed in August 2025 during an appearance on “The Nancy Isime Show” that he experienced a prolonged illness that lasted six months and involved vomiting blood.
He said the condition persisted despite medical treatment until he turned to Ifa, describing the experience as a turning point in his life.
(PREMIUM TIMES)
