Ayo Sogunro Sparks Fierce Debate After Calling Pastor Nathaniel Bassey’s “Dress Like Your Miracle” Event A Mental Disorder

 

Public attention across social media has erupted following comments by Nigerian lawyer and writer, Ayo Sogunro, who criticized a recent religious trend connected to Pastor Nathaniel Bassey’s popular Hallelujah Challenge. The virtual service, which invited participants to “dress like the miracle they are praying for,” became the subject of heated arguments online after Sogunro branded the practice as “a mental disorder.”

The Hallelujah Challenge, spearheaded by gospel minister Nathaniel Bassey, has long attracted a massive online following. The initiative encourages people to worship, pray, and share testimonies virtually, often inspiring emotional participation and creative expressions of faith. This year’s edition, however, took a distinctive turn when Pastor Bassey urged believers to manifest their hopes through their appearance. Participants were asked to show up in outfits symbolizing their prayers, effectively “dressing” as if the miracles they sought had already happened.

Photos from the event quickly flooded X, Instagram, and Facebook timelines. Women longing for marriage appeared in bridal gowns, some complete with veils and bouquets. Expectant mothers who were praying for children wrapped baby dolls on their backs or cradled them tenderly as they prayed. Others seeking financial breakthroughs appeared in suits with mock briefcases, while those praying for international relocation shared visuals of themselves holding cut-out passports or luggage.

Amid the flood of shared images, a particular photo caught widespread attention. It showed a Nigerian man displaying a self-drawn American passport while praying for U.S. citizenship. The image triggered a mix of admiration and mockery. Some users praised his faith-driven creativity, while others questioned whether such dramatization truly reflected belief or bordered on delusion.

Ayo Sogunro, who is known for his sharp social commentary and critique of religious practices he considers extreme, weighed in through his X handle on October 22. His post read, “I’m sorry to all concerned but this brand of Christianity qualifies as a mental disorder.” The remark immediately stirred reactions across different corners of the internet, with some defending him for expressing what they saw as a rational perspective, while others condemned the statement as insulting and disrespectful toward Christian faith.

Supporters of Sogunro’s position argued that his comment exposes a deeper psychological issue within religious culture in Nigeria. According to them, faith practices often drift into performance and superstition, blurring the line between spiritual conviction and unhealthy escapism. A few noted that using symbolic acts like wearing wedding dresses or carrying dolls might reflect desperation rather than devotion, suggesting that such actions could reinforce denial instead of encouraging proactive faith.

On the other hand, defenders of Pastor Nathaniel Bassey’s vision saw the challenge as a profound expression of faith in action. To them, dressing like one’s miracle represents confidence in divine promises and aligns with the biblical concept of calling things that are not as though they were. For these believers, the act of visualizing and embodying one’s expectation serves as a powerful manifestation of hope, reinforcing belief through symbolism and personal testimony.

Some commentators noted that Pastor Bassey’s ministry has consistently inspired millions around the world through music and worship, bringing people together regardless of denomination. They questioned why a spiritual event designed to strengthen belief should attract mockery or be labeled mentally unstable.

Religious scholars and psychologists have also joined the conversation. A few behavioral experts explained that symbolic acts of faith are not unusual within religious traditions globally. They cited historical examples where rituals, costumes, and objects were used to externalize belief and stimulate psychological reinforcement. However, they cautioned that such practices could become problematic when detached from reality or when used as substitutes for tangible effort.

The controversy continues to trend across platforms as Nigerians debate the intersection between faith, mental health, and cultural expression. Some social media users have pointed out that Sogunro’s comment, though blunt, raises necessary questions about how far faith should go before it becomes fanaticism. Others insist that labeling religious devotion as mental illness stigmatizes believers and trivializes genuine psychological conditions.

Pastor Nathaniel Bassey has not directly responded to Sogunro’s statement as of this writing. His followers, however, have maintained that the “Dress Like Your Miracle” service was inspired by biblical faith and meant to inspire hope, not ridicule. Many attendees have shared testimonies of breakthroughs, saying the act of dressing like their miracle helped them feel closer to the realization of their prayers.

The debate shows no signs of slowing. On one side stand those who interpret such acts as meaningful symbols of faith; on the other, critics who see them as symptoms of misguided spirituality. Between these extremes lies a broader national conversation about the balance between belief and rationality, and about the cultural depth of Nigerian Christianity, which continues to evolve in both expression and controversy.

Regardless of personal stance, one thing is clear: Ayo Sogunro’s statement has once again forced Nigerians to confront difficult questions about faith, reason, and the emotional dimensions of worship in an age where spiritual life is increasingly lived online.