A popular Ondo State pastor, Olabanjo Felix Gold, has announced his decision to leave Christianity and embrace Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, the indigenous Yoruba spiritual tradition, declaring himself a Babalawo.
Olabanjo, who previously founded Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministries, disclosed the decision in a video shared online.
In the recording, the former cleric introduced himself by his new spiritual identity, explaining that his personal spiritual journey had led him from Christianity to Ifá practice.
He said he was formerly known as Pastor Olabanjo Felix Gold, the founder of Image of God Evangelical Ministries, but now identifies as Ifawamiri Aworan Olodumare, Babalawo of Ifá.
Olabanjo also expressed gratitude to traditional spiritual elders whom he credited with guiding him through his transition into the practice.
He particularly acknowledged his Oluwo, Baba Aifuwapẹ, Oluṣẹgun Latunji, whom he identified as the Araba of Isararemọ.
The former pastor also thanked others who, according to him, supported him during his spiritual journey, while highlighting what he described as the importance of elders and mentorship within indigenous spiritual practice.
In a strong statement about his new religious position, Olabanjo rejected Christianity and other foreign religions while affirming his commitment to Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.
He described the foreign religions as false and declared that Ìṣẹ̀ṣe represented the authentic spiritual path.
His announcement has attracted attention and mixed reactions on social media, largely because of his previous role as a Christian pastor and the founder of an evangelical ministry.
Popular Nigerian pastor abandons Christianity, turns ‘babalawo’