Olamide has told Nigerians to stop treating Yoruba tradition as something sinister. The rapper, singer and YBNL founder made his stand on the 3 November at the private screening of Ose Dudu, a film by actress Sotayo Gaga, held at The Pod by Nile Luxury Cinemas.
Olamide Proud Son of Yorubaland Takes the Mic
He did not tiptoe around the subject. He spoke against the negative image that follows Yoruba customs and insisted that nobody should label the heritage diabolical.
“Our culture and tradition is not diabolical and it is not to be demonized,” he said. “And we’re proud of who we are, where we’re coming from and everything about our heritage, tradition and culture. Omo Yoruba lemi, t’eba fun emi gan ni Ose Dudu malo.” 
The Black Soap Line
That last sentence carried the sting. Olamide told the room he has no quarrel with spiritual cleansing. If someone hands him a bar of soap, he will use it. He named Ose Dudu, the black soap that gives the film its title, and promised to take it gladly if anyone offered. His message to Nigerians was simple: embrace your roots, and stop demonising the practices your ancestors passed down.
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Fans Split Between Pride and Piety on Olamide Statement
Social media reacted fast and unevenly. Some users cheered Olamide for standing up for his heritage. Others turned the comment section into a religious debate, and neither side showed any sign of backing down.
So Who Made Esu the Devil?
The row touches an old question, and research points to an uncomfortable answer. Esu is not the devil in Yoruba thought. Yoruba mythology places him among the Orisha, the deities, and links him with communication, justice, order, balance and consequences. He does not stand for evil.
The confusion has a traceable beginning. Ajayi Crowther’s 1843 Yoruba dictionary tied Esu to evil and the devil. Between 1850 and 1880, British and European missionaries arrived in Yorubaland, and their Bibles and publications pushed the same idea, presenting Esu as Satan.
Even the church has since moved on. Later Yoruba Bibles, right up to today’s editions, do not call the devil Esu. They use Sátánì instead.
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A Heritage Older Than the Church
Portuguese traders brought Christianity to Nigeria in the 15th century, but Yoruba culture had thrived for generations before they landed. It survived the missionaries’ campaigns, and it still shapes how millions of people name their children, greet their elders and mark the big moments of life.
Olamide’s remarks may not settle the argument, but they hand it a fresh push, and the conversation shows no sign of cooling.
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