Veteran Actor Yemi Solade Reveals Why He Has Not Attended Church for Over a Decade

Nollywood veteran Yemi Solade has opened up about his decision to stop attending church services for over ten years, a move rooted in his professional and personal experiences. Speaking candidly on the Honest Bunch podcast in September 2025, Solade recounted how a significant incident in his church back in 2013 led him to distance himself from formal worship settings.

Solade shared that a pastor at his church had insisted he should not accept any movie roles that required work on Sundays, a demand he found restrictive and damaging to his acting career. He narrated feeling cornered by this directive, as working on Sundays is often unavoidable in the entertainment industry. “If you see me in church it’s either we are filming… I was told not to work on Sundays, and I cursed the pastor because of that,” he revealed.

Rejecting the belief that missing church attendance would negatively affect his life, Solade stated his life has actually grown more peaceful since stepping away from church. He described regular church participation as sometimes burdening rather than uplifting, due to conflicting commitments and what he described as disturbances from some church messages.

Solade also highlighted how church obligations interfered with his career progress and personal time, noting that constant involvement in committees and church activities made it difficult to focus on his work fully. “If you are not invited to one committee… When will I have time to work?” he asked rhetorically.

The actor’s remarks have ignited conversations across social media about the balance between religious commitments and personal freedom, with many applauding his honest perspective while others defend regular church attendance as vital.

Beyond his church views, Solade also touched on Nollywood history and cultural dynamics, showcasing his deep connection with and insights into the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Yemi Solade’s candid reflections provide a rare glimpse into the pressures faced by artists juggling faith, career demands, and personal well-being in a society where religious expectations are deeply entrenched.

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