Nigerian gospel singer, Joshua Mike-Bamiloye, also known as ‘Jaymikee’, has responded to claims that Mount Zion Faith Ministries portrays Yoruba culture and spirituality in a negative light.
The debate began after the ministry announced that Agbara Nla would return to cinemas on October 1, 2026, more than three decades after its original release.
Following the announcement, an X user accused Mount Zion of portraying Yoruba spirituality as evil while presenting Christianity as superior. The user argued that many people are now questioning those depictions.
Joshua rejected the criticism. He said Mount Zion does not attack Yoruba culture. According to him, the ministry regularly celebrates the Yoruba language, proverbs, colours, traditions and royal heritage in its films. He also pointed to the character Abejoye, saying the character retained his Yoruba identity and respect for traditional institutions after becoming a Christian.
He wrote:
“Here we go again”, and yet you couldn’t get through one paragraph without misrepresenting what Mount Zion actually does. Let me help.
“MZ doesn’t demonise Yoruba culture. It celebrates it: the colours, the language, the proverbs, the royalty. Eg, Abejoye became a born-again Christian while still speaking deep Yoruba, bowing before his king, and dropping proverbs that’ll make your grandfather nod. Nobody took his culture. The Gospel just took the throne in his heart”.
Joshua said the ministry’s mission is to transform lives spiritually, not to erase culture.
He also rejected claims that the debate is about Yoruba spirituality versus a foreign religion.
According to him, Mount Zion presents its stories as a struggle between light and darkness. He added that neither side belongs to any particular country or culture.
“You framed this as ‘Yoruba spirituality vs foreign religion.” We never did. We frame it as Light vs Darkness, and Darkness has no nationality. We’ve called it out in boardrooms, cities, and yes, in the villages. Location doesn’t exempt it”, he added.
Responding to claims that Mount Zion profits from such portrayals, Joshua said less than 30 per cent of the ministry’s more than 200 films focus on traditional settings.
“Profiting from portrayals”, MZ has 200+ films. Less than 30% are traditional settings. Your entire argument is built on a minority of the catalogue, filtered through a lens of cultural grievance. That’s not analysis, that’s a feeling dressed up as a fact”.
He said the criticism is based on only a small number of films. He urged viewers to watch the complete movies before coming to a conclusion.
“People are asking questions? Good. Watch the films. The full ones. From start to finish”, he concluded.
