In a viral video captured by GoldMyne TV and widely discussed as of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, veteran singer 9ice (Abolore Akande) has sparked a national debate by questioning the effectiveness of religion in solving Nigeria’s persistent economic and security challenges.
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The “Gongo Aso” crooner urged Nigerians to stop relying on “spiritual solutions” for issues that require “economic pragmatism” and physical action.
The Core Argument: “Action Over Prayer”
9ice’s comments were centered on the idea that Nigeria’s high level of religiosity has not translated into national development:
- The Comparison: He pointed to developed nations like the United Kingdom, noting that while many in those countries “go to work on Sundays” rather than church, their economies remain more prosperous than Nigeria’s.
- The Critique of “Foreign Religions”: He criticized the heavy attachment to Christianity and Islam, describing them as foreign religions. “Ever since you have been calling on Allah and Jesus, this country hasn’t gotten any better,” he stated, suggesting that time spent in weekly services would be better used for productivity.
- The “Licking Rocks” Remark: He specifically referenced pilgrimages, questioning the logic of traveling to Mecca to “lick rocks” (referring to the Kaaba) while the domestic economy struggles.
The Personal Shift: From Church to Traditionalism
The singer also reconfirmed his own spiritual journey, which has heavily influenced his pragmatic outlook:
- The Healing Story: 9ice previously revealed in an interview with Nancy Isime that he turned to traditionalism after an Ifa priest successfully healed him of a severe “spiritual attack” (vomiting blood) that orthodox medicine and prayers reportedly failed to resolve.
- Current Stance: Describing himself as a “heathen” or “traditionalist,” he argued that Nigerians should “fix things themselves” rather than praying over every problem.
The Economic Backdrop
9ice’s comments come at a critical time for the Nigerian economy in 2026:
- The 2026 Outlook: While the IMF projects Nigeria could become the 3rd largest economy in Africa this year due to fiscal reforms, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has warned that 2026 is a “make or break” year.
- Poverty Alleviation: Reports from earlier this year suggested that despite 4.5% GDP growth, nearly 60% of the population remains vulnerable to poverty due to high living costs.
