‘I was arrested by Ifa’: The story behind the Ondo Pastor who became a Babalawo

Ondo Pastor Quits Christianity, Embraces Ifá Tradition
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— Naija News (@NaijaNews) August 14, 2026

An Ondo State pastor has set social media ablaze after publicly dumping Christianity to become a Babalawo — a high priest of the Ifa tradition — in a viral video that has reignited a fierce national debate about religion, identity and spiritual freedom in Nigeria.

Olabanjo Felix, who spoke with Sunday Punch, said he became fed up with Christianity and alleged there was “no true pastor of the Bible in Nigeria,” claiming many Nigerian pastors had turned Christianity into personal and family businesses. “I became fed up of Christianity because there is no true pastor of the Bible in Nigeria aside from Pastor Gbile Akanni. I’m a Bible student and I understand the Bible very well, but I was arrested by Ifa,” he told The Punch.

Felix, formerly the founder of the Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministries, made his announcement on Thursday, August 13, 2026, declaring he now bears the name Ifawamiri Aworan Olodumare and holds the title of Babalawo of Ifa — marking a complete departure from the evangelical Christian identity he had maintained for years.

“I want to tell you that all these foreign religions are lies and Isese is the real deal,” he said, expressing gratitude to his spiritual mentor, the Araba of Isararemo, for guiding his transition.

The announcement sparked widespread debate across X, Facebook and Instagram, centring on religious freedom, cultural identity and the sincerity of public religious figures. Felix did not clarify the fate of his church congregation.