In a statement that is sure to spark intense debate across Nigeria's deeply religious landscape, Afrobeat musician and activist Seun Kuti has publicly declared that he has never prayed in his life.
A Bold Declaration Against Conventional Worship
The son of the legendary Fela Kuti made this revelation in a video shared on his Instagram account on December 26, 2025. In the clip, Kuti expressed profound skepticism about the very concept of prayer and criticized what he sees as the performative nature of public worship.
"I have never prayed before in my life. I don't know how to pray. I don't believe it works," Kuti stated unequivocally. He went further to describe public or audible prayers as "eye service" and "childishness." For the activist, the true measure of a person lies not in their supplications but in their deeds.
"Your Life Is Your Prayer"
Kuti presented an alternative philosophy, centered on personal responsibility and action. "Your life is your prayer. What you do with your life is your prayer. That is the only prayer. Your action is prayer," he asserted. This perspective shifts the focus from divine intervention to human agency, suggesting that one's daily conduct and choices constitute their real communication with the universe.
He directly addressed a likely rebuttal to his stance, anticipating the question about belief in God. Kuti argued that the common conception of an omnipotent deity who has preordained all events actually nullifies the purpose of prayer. "This concept of God that most people have is why prayer is even now completely null and void," he claimed.
He elaborated, pointing out a theological contradiction he perceives: "Because this God you talked about, you claimed he has already written down what is going to happen from the beginning to the end; his will must be done. So, except your prayer aligns with his will... If your prayer does not align with the will of this your God, then your prayer will not be answered." He accused religious leaders of exploiting this ambiguity for their own gain.
Practical Solutions Over Spiritual Petitions
Seun Kuti concluded his argument with a pragmatic, if provocative, observation. He firmly stated his personal approach to challenges: "I solve my problems. I don't pray over my problems." To bolster his point, he posed a rhetorical question: "If prayer solves problems, prisons and hospitals would be empty."
This statement from the prominent Afrobeat scion and social critic is set to ignite conversations in a nation where public faith and prayer are integral to both cultural and political life. It challenges deeply held beliefs and calls for a re-evaluation of the relationship between spirituality, action, and personal accountability.
