For many Nigerians, religion is a culture and an identity. Faith — or the loss of it — can shape everything from who you love to how you see yourself.
We spoke to five Nigerians whose relationships with religion have taken unexpected turns. Their stories prove that belief doesn’t have to be static; it can evolve, break, and be rebuilt.
“I was suicidal until I found out about my Chi through TikTok” — *Ada, 29
For *Ada, religion was less of a choice and more of a restlessness that chased her all her life. She finally found peace in the one place she least expected it.
“I found my true religion on TikTok. I know how ridiculous that sounds, but it’s the honest truth. I was scrolling aimlessly when I saw a woman talking about marine spirits, and it all just made sense. Everything she said matched my life’s reality.
I grew up in a Christian home, but something in me always rebelled against it. Since childhood, I’ve had vivid dreams of swimming and playing in water. I’d also hear ringing in my ears like a loud bell and get intense mood swings. I was always angry, and whenever someone offended me, something bad always seemed to happen to them. A girl once took my stuff and broke her leg days later. Another time, someone bullied me and fell seriously ill. I didn’t understand it, but it kept happening.
My parents were terrified. They took me to several deliverance sessions as a child. I’d fall, scream, roll around, but nothing changed. By my late 20s, I was antisocial, depressed, and struggling with suicidal thoughts. It didn’t help that I was an only child; I desperately wanted a connection. But even the few men I tried to talk to would ghost me. It felt like a curse.
That’s why I believe my Chi sent that TikTok video. The woman, *Ese, spoke with so much clarity. I reached out to her, and she told me to ask my parents what happened around my birth.
After some hesitation, my mum admitted she had visited a dibia in desperation for a child. She had no idea my Chi was a marine spirit. Her confession drove a wedge between her and my dad, who had no clue all these years. But for me, it was a strange relief. Everything finally made sense.
*Ese helped me arrange an Afa consultation, and that’s how I made peace with my water people. Apparently, they weren’t punishing me — they were trying to get my attention. I’ve since gone through the necessary rites and accepted my calling. It’s not even been a year, and I already feel much calmer. I sleep better and communicate with my Chi. I’m still learning, but I finally found a community where I belong.
My parents aren’t thrilled. As Christians, it’s hard for them to accept. But I think they’ve just accepted it as my destiny.”
“I became a closeted Christian after my son nearly died” — *Aishat, 41
*Aishat returned to Christianity after a deep betrayal from her husband pushed her back to the church. These days, she hides her faith to keep up appearances.
“I didn’t convert to Islam because of conviction, I did it because I wanted to get married. I was raised in a traditional Christian home, and by the time I turned 30, the pressure to marry was unbearable. The only serious suitor at the time was an Alhaji who promised me the world. He claimed he was AA (I’m AS), and he even showed me the test results. I wasn’t particularly religious, so I didn’t mind converting. I changed my name from Esther to Aishat, and that was it.
By my second pregnancy, I met a woman called Mary during antenatal. She had this calm aura that drew me in. We became friends, and she invited me to her prayer meetings. Something about her and the presence of God in her life made me hungry. It felt like she had something I didn’t realise I’d thrown away. I casually mentioned the idea of returning to Christianity to my husband, but his reaction shut it down.
Then our third child was born and kept falling ill. It took diagnosis after diagnosis until the doctors finally told us he was a sickler. I couldn’t believe it. How was that possible if my husband was AA? I confronted him and he confessed. He was AS and had forged his genotype results just to marry me.
I almost lost my mind. My son was dying, and I was married to a liar. Out of desperation, I took my baby to church. After they prayed, fasted, and laid hands on him, the nearly lifeless boy miraculously bounced back. That was when I knew I was going back to Christ. My son is still alive today and thriving.
My husband was too guilty to fight me after his lies, so we made a truce: I could return to Christianity, but only in secret. Because of his reputation, I still go by Aishat. I wear the hijab and attend mosque functions. But at home, I worship Jesus with my heart and study my Bible. Many people don’t know this, but we’ve made it work for years now.”
“I was dying until the Qur’an healed me” — *Naqiba, 25
*Naqiba found her way deeper into Islam after falling ill in a way doctors couldn’t explain. She believes the Quran saved her life.
“During one of the long ASUU strikes, I was helping my mum run her shop when something strange happened. It was Ramadan, and after a trip to the toilet one afternoon, the whole place started spinning. I felt like I was floating, like my spirit was leaving my body. I had to crawl out of the shop for help.
People said I was just weak from fasting, but it kept happening. I went from one hospital to another, and the doctors said it was probably malaria or just a calcium deficiency. But it kept getting worse, and soon, I could barely walk short distances or even pray standing up. It got to a point where it hurt to breathe and sleep. I genuinely felt like I was dying.
We were told to try Ruqyah, an Islamic healing method, but we kept postponing it. One night, when it got unbearable, I started reading verses myself. That same night, I felt heat burning through my body. I told my mum I thought I was dying. That finally pushed her to take me to the Ruqyah man.
The moment he began reciting the Qur’an, I started shaking violently. I was screaming, but also felt lighter after the session. We kept going every day until I fully recovered.
Some people say it’s a coincidence, but I know better. That experience changed everything for me. I became obsessed with the Qur’an; not out of fear, but in awe. It felt like Allah used the sickness to pull me closer. Since then, my faith has been stronger than ever.”
“I was just going with the flow when God found me” — *Ope, 23
For Ope, religion wasn’t a thunderbolt moment. Everything simply fell into place.
“I grew up in a mixed-faith family but leaned more towards Islam. Religion wasn’t a big deal to me; I was indifferent.
That changed during a tech conference. I met this girl on the bus, and we got talking about life. At some point, she asked what church I attended. I told her I was a Muslim. She looked surprised and said she didn’t think I was one. I guess it was because of my dyed hair.
We kept talking, and the way she spoke about Christ stuck with me. Weeks later, I decided to attend a local church in my area out of curiosity, and my mum didn’t object. Later, I found myself drawn to a bigger, well-known church. When I walked in, it felt like something clicked. I can’t explain it, but I had a conviction in my spirit, and even though it was nothing dramatic or grand, it was clear enough for me. It was like the last puzzle piece that needed to be fixed.
Surprisingly, my friends, most of whom were Muslim, took it well. My dad struggled, but he eventually came around. Since becoming a Christian, I’ve changed in ways I never thought possible. My heart is lighter, and my life is so much better.”
“Ifa gives peace where the Bible made me anxious” — *Prisca, 26
*Prisca left Christianity and walked into a religion that felt more logical and aligned with who she is. For her, it just made more sense.
“I’ve always been interested in religion. I was born into a Christian home and was deeply active growing up. But as I got older, I started asking questions. I wanted to know Jesus personally and make sense of the Bible for myself.
But the more I studied, the less it made sense. Around the same time, I discovered feminism. Christianity and feminism are like oil and water; they don’t mix well. I kept asking myself why I had to struggle to feel seen in a religion that wasn’t built with women in mind. That was my breaking point.
I let go of Christianity and stayed agnostic for a while. Then I stumbled into the world of traditional African religion, specifically Ifa. I did some research and found that it had depth, logic, and a strong connection to African identity that made more sense. I also found an Ifa priest who mentored and introduced me to a community of like minds. For the first time, religion didn’t make me anxious.
I stopped panicking about hellfire or whether I was living ‘righteously’. Ifa connected me to the universe and to myself. I discovered how many other religions — including astrology and binary systems — pull from Ifa.
My family doesn’t completely understand it, but they love me and respect my choice.. My mum still prays and ‘covers me in the blood of Jesus’, but I don’t mind. I’m just glad I’ve found peace in a system that embraces all of me.”
*Names have been changed for anonymity.
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