Banky W becomes ordained pastor in the US

Nigerian music star Banky W has announced he is now an ordained pastor in the United States, a new position he attributes to a period of introspection following his unsuccessful political campaign in 2023. In a social media statement, the artist, whose real name is Olubankole Wellington, detailed how his faith and career trajectory have shifted in the past year.

Banky W revealed that his election loss left him profoundly disappointed, prompting him to seek guidance from a higher power regarding his next steps, which could involve politics, entertainment, business, or ministry. He explained that these endeavors did not need to be mutually exclusive, describing this as an expansion of his purpose rather than a shift away from his existing pursuits.

"I was asking God to choose between things He had never asked me to separate," he wrote, indicating that he now embraces roles that merge his interests in entertainment, business, education, and ministry. Banky W confirmed he now serves as an Associate Pastor and Global Ambassador at Union Church, while also teaching and leading at Union College in the U.S. Despite his expanded pastoral duties, he assured his fans that his career in music, film, and business would continue, with more projects on the horizon.

He reflected on his election loss, stating that while it did not go as he had hoped, God's plans for his life are broader than the plans he had initially conceived. "The election didn’t go the way I hoped. But God’s plans for my life are bigger than the plans I had for myself," he concluded.