Veteran Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade, has opened up about his decision to stop attending church, a personal choice he made over a decade ago due to what he described as uncomfortable experiences within the religious setting.
Speaking during an episode of the Honest Bunch Podcast, Solade explained that his decision dates back to 2013, when an incident at his church made him reevaluate the role of religion in his life.
According to the actor, a pastor had instructed him to stop accepting film roles that required him to work on Sundays, a request that clashed with his professional commitments and sparked serious reflection.
Solade said the demand created a conflict between his faith and his career, ultimately leading him to step away from regular church attendance. He noted that the experience made him question whether religious involvement should hinder one’s personal and professional growth.
He also challenged the common belief that a person’s life would spiral downward without consistent church attendance. Solade shared that, contrary to such views, his life has remained stable, peaceful, and productive since he stopped going to church regularly. He emphasized that the decision has allowed him more time to focus on his work and family, without the frequent disruptions caused by church programs.
He added that being constantly involved in church committees and obligations placed additional pressure on his time, making it difficult for him to concentrate on his acting career.
“If you see me in a church it’s either we are filming… Something happened in my church, I got into the church with my wife that year, 2013. I’ve been told in the church to tell producers not to call me for work on Sundays and I sepe’d for the Pastor. It is from that thing that you said I shouldn’t do on Sunday that I put hand in my pocket and I drop here,” he said.
Solade concluded by reflecting on his life since leaving the church: “A notion that if you don’t attend church, one’s life will nosedive, I have not seen anything change. Rather, I have peace, I do well, because everyday of my life when I was going to church, I got messages, all sort of disturbances.
“You are not invited to one committee… When will I have time to work?”
