Mount Zion Films Don’t Demonize Yoruba Culture, We Expose Darkness — Joshua Bamiloye

Joshua Mike-Bamiloye, son of Mount Zion Films founder Mike Bamiloye, has defended the ministry against accusations that its movies portray Yoruba culture and spirituality in a negative light.

The debate emerged after the announcement that Agbara Nla will return to cinemas on October 1, 2026, more than three decades after its original release.

Following the announcement, an X user identified as Ifẹ́ṣọlá criticized Mount Zion Films, alleging that the ministry has spent years portraying Yoruba spirituality as evil while presenting Christianity as the superior alternative.

Responding to the criticism, Joshua Bamiloye rejected the claim, insisting that Mount Zion celebrates Yoruba culture rather than attacking it.

According to him, the ministry embraces Yoruba traditions, language, proverbs, colors, and royal heritage in many of its productions.

He pointed to the popular character Abejoye as an example, noting that the character remained deeply rooted in Yoruba customs and language even after becoming a Christian.

Joshua said:

“MZ doesn’t demonize Yoruba culture. It celebrates it; the colors, the language, the proverbs, the royalty.”

He further argued that Mount Zion’s films focus on spiritual transformation rather than cultural destruction.

According to him:

“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.”

Joshua also dismissed the claim that the ministry frames its stories as a battle between Yoruba spirituality and Christianity.

He explained:

“We never did. We frame it as Light vs Darkness. Darkness has no nationality.”

Addressing allegations that Mount Zion built its success on portraying traditional spirituality negatively, he argued that such films make up only a small portion of the ministry’s catalogue.

He said:

“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.”

Joshua welcomed public scrutiny but encouraged critics to watch the films before drawing conclusions.

He concluded:

“People are asking questions? Good. Watch the films. The full ones. From start to finish. AGBARA NLA drops OCT 1. The name of Jesus is still above every other name, in 1993 and in 2026.”

His response has sparked further discussion online about the relationship between faith-based storytelling, culture, and the portrayal of traditional beliefs in Nigerian films.