Nigerian Lives: 5 Nigerians Talk About Why They Left the Church

The personal journeys of young Nigerians stepping away from traditional religious paths while holding onto their spirituality often tell a compelling story. While religion traditionally encompasses systems of faith, worship, and belief in divine power—whether called God, Allah, or other names—some Nigerians, raised in Christian households, are now charting their spiritual courses.

In an era of questioning and self-discovery, some have embraced atheism, while others maintain their belief in a higher power while distancing themselves from organized religion. Culture Custodian spoke to five young Nigerians who share their experiences of religious transformation, exploring how they’ve maintained their moral compass while redefining their relationship with faith.

Kali, 27 

I have been in the church since I was very young. It was used as a tactic to participate in a lot of abuse and shaming by my parents at the time. It was so bad that my parents, myself, and my siblings were in a cult disguised as a church. As I got older, all these experiences made me lose interest in church because I had major healing to do. 

I pray every day. I still read my Bible, but not in the way it was initially instilled in me. I do it as I would read any other book for some understanding or guidance to better comprehend my current reality. I think Christians seek community, but you can have that without organized religion. 

OJ, 24

I started drawing back in 2020, it was Mummy GO of RCCG’s birthday. The family was doing morning devotion with open heavens, and the day’s entry was so appalling. I just knew that I would never be with the church again. 

I don’t think I need to follow organized religion because it’s supposed to be for my spiritual well-being, and I am at the center of it. I think I remain close to a higher being. What I believe people call god, is something we can connect with by repeatedly honoring humanity with our capacity for kindness. I use herbs and burn incense. It’s my world and if I am a magic enchantress with an apothecary then I am an enchantress with an apothecary. I’m also very intentional about using cinnamon, salt, and cloves, as well as other herbs and flowers, because of their symbolic significance and how I interpret dreams.

Omeiheukwu, 22

I began drifting away from Christianity as my ability to think critically grew. I had lots of unanswered questions which the Bible could not deal with. This made me understand that religion was more of an instrument to control the minds of people to do the will of a selected group of people.

God can be accessed through humanity so religion is unnecessary. When a person treats his/herself and others in fairness, love, and equity then the will of God for us has been successfully carried out. This can easily be achieved without religion. Organized religion has done the world more harm than good so how can it necessarily keep us close to God whereby it’s a tool to achieve a means? No spiritual habits can keep me closer to God more than not treating myself and others badly.

Oslo, 23

My father stopped going to church one day after being a die-hard church member (so I hear) when I was young. I’m talking about my dad because it made it easy for my older brother and me to stop going with my mom. We just stayed home with my dad. My brother stopped going first, and then I followed. Personally, I think for one to be a pastor, you have to be above average when it comes to critical thinking. Many Nigerian pastors factor personal opinion into their sermons and it’s disgusting because most times, I can tell it’s bullshit so I stopped. 

Organized religion is very important. I believe that’s the way strong faith can be built. Just like the way projects need like-minded people to bring it to fruition, I believe that organized religion is important, if not Paul wouldn’t have gone through all that in the first place. However, some of us are caught between turning off our brains and going to listen to charlatans talk, or staying at home. I can’t turn off my brain (believe me I’ve tried), so I just stayed at home.

Samuel*, 25

It was a gradual process. I started disengaging because I could not stand the malignant political movements in the church. Church politics is worse than it seems from the outside. Every move is calculated; the promotions, works, public statements, national political endorsements, and even the sermons sometimes, all to increase profit. Nothing looked real or spontaneous anymore, it began to feel like a huge capital business. 

An exact scenario was when a pastor publicly criticized a church worker for failing to meet up with monthly tithe for a while. (This criticism happened in a gathering of other church workers but I was privileged to the information). I mean, Christians are mandated to gather with other believers to “renew faith” so I guess that’s correct. However, it is difficult to find a church where the conduct is Christ-like. If I do manage to find one I am open to stepping back in.