Too Much Prayer, Too Little Progress” — 9ice Criticises Nigeria’s Reliance on Religion

Nigerian music star 9ice has stirred controversy with blunt remarks questioning the impact of religion and prayer on Nigeria’s development, arguing that decades of religious devotion have not translated into tangible national progress.

Speaking at a recent event covered by Gold Myne TV, the singer whose real name is Alexander Adegbola Akande criticised the deep-rooted culture of religious dependence in the country, particularly among Christians and Muslims. According to him, the persistent call for prayers amid Nigeria’s economic and security challenges has yielded little measurable improvement.

9ice, who describes himself as a “heathen,” took aim at what he called Nigerians’ reliance on “foreign religions,” suggesting that excessive devotion may be distracting citizens from taking practical steps toward national growth.

“You leave Nigeria and travel to Mecca just to perform rituals, yet the country remains the same,” he said. “For years, people have been calling on Allah and Jesus, but nothing has significantly improved.”

Drawing comparisons with Western nations, the singer pointed to the United Kingdom as an example of a society he believes thrives with less religious intensity. He argued that many people abroad prioritize productivity over religious observance, contrasting it with Nigerians who dedicate significant time to church activities.

“In places like London, people are not as religious, yet they are more developed,” he noted. “They work on Sundays, while many Nigerians spend long hours in church every week. We pray about everything even things we should fix ourselves.”

ELIJAH ADEYEMI