Mount Zion Films Celebrates Yoruba Culture, Not Demonises It — Joshua Bamiloye

Gospel singer and filmmaker Joshua Bamiloye has come out strongly in defence of Mount Zion Films, the faith-based film ministry founded by his father, Mike Bamiloye, dismissing claims that the ministry portrays Yoruba culture and spirituality in a negative light.

Joshua’s response came on Wednesday via a post on X, following the announcement that the ministry’s iconic film, Agbara Nla, would return to cinemas 34 years after its original release. The announcement stirred fresh debate online, with an X user identified as Ìfẹ́ṣọlá (@kootujirian) accusing Mount Zion of profiting for decades by casting Yoruba spirituality as evil while presenting Christianity as the morally superior worldview.

The critic also pointed out that Mike Bamiloye had built a successful career on that formula before relocating abroad, and was now returning to sell the same narrative to a more questioning audience.

Joshua pushed back firmly. He argued that Mount Zion does not attack Yoruba culture but rather honours it — through its language, colours, proverbs, and depictions of royalty. Citing the character Abejoye as an example, he said the character embraced Christianity while retaining his deep Yoruba identity, speaking the language fluently and paying respect to traditional customs.

He also rejected the framing of Mount Zion’s storytelling as a clash between Yoruba spirituality and foreign religion, insisting the ministry’s films are about the universal conflict between light and darkness — one that transcends ethnicity or geography.

On the accusation of exploitation, Joshua noted that traditional settings feature in fewer than 30 percent of the ministry’s more than 200 films, arguing that critics were building sweeping conclusions from a small fraction of the catalog.