Mount Zion Doesn't Demonise Yoruba Culture – Joshua Mike-Bamiloye's Fires Back

Gospel singer Joshua Mike-Bamiloye, son of evangelist Mike Bamiloye, has responded to criticism that his father's ministry, Mount Zion Films, portrays Yoruba culture and spirituality negatively. The backlash came after the ministry announced that its classic film, Agbara Nla, would return to cinemas on October 1, 2026, more than three decades after its original release.

Reacting to the announcement, an X user identified as Ifẹ́ṣọlá had accused Mount Zion of framing Yoruba spirituality as evil while elevating Christianity as superior.

However, Joshua rejected the claims, stating that the criticism misrepresents what Mount Zion actually does. He argued that the ministry celebrates Yoruba culture through its language, colours, proverbs, and royalty, citing the film Abejoye as an example where the protagonist remained deeply Yoruba even after becoming a born-again Christian.

Joshua further clarified that Mount Zion's films are not about a foreign religion versus Yoruba spirituality, but rather about light versus darkness, which has no nationality.

He noted that less than 30% of Mount Zion's over 200 films are set in traditional settings, dismissing the criticism as a feeling dressed up as fact. He concluded by encouraging critics to watch the films in full before passing judgment.

Agbara Nla is set to be released in cinemas on October 1, 2026.

He wrote:
"Here we go again and yet you couldn't get through one paragraph without misrepresenting what Mount Zion actually does. Let me help.

"MZ doesn't demonize Yoruba culture. It celebrates it; the colors, the language, the proverbs, the royalty. Eg. Abejoye became a born-again Christian while still speaking deep Yoruba, bowing before his king, and dropping proverbs that'll make your grandfather nod. Nobody took his culture. The Gospel just took the throne in his heart"

"You framed this as Yoruba spirituality vs foreign religion. We never did. We frame it as Light vs Darkness and Darkness has no nationality. We've called it out in boardrooms, cities, and yes, in the villages. Location doesn't exempt it."

"Profiting from portrayals MZ has 200+ films. Less than 30% are traditional settings. Your entire argument is built on a minority of the catalog, filtered through a lens of cultural grievance. That's not analysis, that's a feeling dressed up as a fact."

"People are asking questions? Good. Watch the films. The full ones. From start to finish."