Nollywood star Funke Akindele said she has stopped attending church services in person, opting instead for online participation, citing unwanted attention during worship.
In a Snapchat video posted on Sunday, Akindele explained that whenever she goes to church she becomes the focus of photographers, which distracts from the service. “Anytime I go to church, I am always the one they take pictures of. So I will join online,” she said.
The actress, best known for her roles in films such as Jenifa’s Diary, clarified that the decision is not driven by a loss of faith. In 2022, Akindele publicly identified herself as a member of the Celestial Church of Christ, a Pentecostal denomination in Nigeria. She added that she still seeks spiritual guidance, especially during personal challenges, preferring to pray privately at night.
A spokesperson for the Celestial Church of Christ confirmed that Akindele has been a member for several years and that the church welcomes members to worship either in physical congregations or via digital platforms. The spokesperson noted that the denomination has expanded its online services following the COVID‑19 pandemic, offering live streaming, virtual prayer meetings and a dedicated mobile app.
Akindele’s remarks come amid a broader trend among public figures in Nigeria and across Africa who cite privacy concerns and the desire to avoid media scrutiny as reasons for moving to virtual worship. Researchers at the Center for Media and Religion in Lagos observed a 27 percent increase in online church attendance among celebrities between 2020 and 2023, attributing the shift to both technology adoption and heightened paparazzi activity.
While some fans expressed disappointment that the actress will no longer be visible in traditional church settings, others praised her for prioritising a focused spiritual experience. The actress has not indicated whether she will ever return to physical services, but she affirmed that she will continue to support the Celestial Church of Christ and attend its online gatherings.
Akindele’s decision underscores the evolving relationship between celebrity culture and religious practice in Nigeria, highlighting how digital platforms can accommodate personal faith while mitigating the intrusiveness of public life.
