Afrobeat musician and activist Seun Kuti has sparked fresh debate after openly stating that he does not believe in prayer, describing it as ineffective and childish.
Speaking in a video shared on his Instagram page, the son of late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti said he has never prayed in his life and does not see prayer as a solution to life’s challenges.
Kuti argued that an individual’s choices and actions, not prayer, ultimately shape their life. According to him, public or loud prayers amount to “eye service” rather than meaningful change.
“I have never prayed before in my life. I don’t know how to pray. I don’t believe it works,” he said. “Your life is your prayer. What you do with your life is your prayer. Your actions are your prayer.”
The outspoken musician also questioned common religious beliefs about God’s will, suggesting that if everything is already predetermined, then prayer becomes meaningless unless it aligns with that will.
“This concept of God that most people have is why prayer is now completely null and void,” Kuti stated. “If your prayer does not align with the will of this God you talk about, it will not be answered. Clerics won’t tell you this because they want to exploit you.”
He further claimed that prayer does not solve real-world problems, insisting that personal responsibility is more effective.
“I solve my problems. I don’t pray over my problems. If prayer solves problems, prisons and hospitals would be empty,” he added.
Kuti’s comments have since drawn mixed reactions on social media, with supporters praising his blunt honesty while critics accused him of attacking deeply held religious beliefs.