Nigerian gospel reggae star Buchi Atuonwu, aka Buchi, recently opened up about his journey from cultism to Christianity.
In an honest chat with Gaise Baba on the show Black Flame, Buchi delved into the spiritual epiphany that led him to abandon his past affiliations and embrace a life dedicated to spreading the gospel through music.​
Reflecting on his departure from the cult, Buchi shared that his understanding of such groups underwent a profound shift.
He realised that cultism wasn’t merely about rituals but was deeply rooted in spiritual realms.
This revelation made him acknowledge the futility of confronting spiritual challenges with physical means. He articulated, “You can’t bring a knife to a gun fight and hope to win. It’s a spiritual thing.” ​
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Buchi recounted a particular incident as a turning point in his life. Around the early hours of the morning, between 1 and 2 a.m., he led a procession of approximately 200 individuals.
Without the aid of a microphone, he had to project his voice powerfully to be heard by all. The scene was intense: some participants bore coffins on their heads, others carried red lamps symbolising danger, all united in a common, albeit ominous, purpose.
As he led the chants, an unexpected voice whispered into his ear from the left, distinct from the convoy on his right, saying, “You don’t belong here.” ​
. Buchi observed, “The cult is a leveller where people are united by a course, not tribe.” ​
This profound experience prompted Buchi to seek a deeper understanding of his life’s direction. Recognising the spiritual battles he faced, he turned to Jesus Christ for guidance and purpose.
This pivotal decision marked the beginning of his transition from a life entangled in cultism to one devoted to gospel music and ministry.​
Meanwhile, before his full immersion into music, Buchi had an academic career as a lecturer at the University of Lagos. His journey from academia and nightclubs, where he worked as a DJ, to becoming a renowned gospel artist is a testament to his transformative journey.
