Afrobeat singer and activist Seun Kuti has stirred conversation after disclosing that he has never prayed at any point in his life.
Speaking in a video shared on his Instagram page, Kuti questioned the relevance and effectiveness of prayer, insisting that personal choices and actions — not prayers — define a person’s life.
He criticised public and vocal expressions of worship, describing them as performative and immature. According to him, how people live their lives is the true reflection of their beliefs.
“I have never prayed in my life. I don’t even know how to pray, and I don’t believe it works,” he said. “Your life is the prayer. What you do with your life is the only prayer. Public or loud praying is just eye service.”
Kuti also challenged common religious ideas about God, arguing that if events are already preordained, prayer becomes meaningless unless it aligns with divine will — a reality he believes religious leaders avoid discussing.
He accused clerics of exploiting believers by promoting prayer as a solution to life’s problems, insisting instead on personal responsibility.
“I solve my problems; I don’t pray over them,” he added. “If prayer truly solved problems, prisons and hospitals would be empty.”
