Bamiloye’s Son Defends Mount Zion Films

Joshua Mike-Bamiloye, son of renowned gospel filmmaker Mike Bamiloye, has pushed back against allegations that Mount Zion Films demonizes Yoruba culture and spirituality, insisting that the ministry’s productions celebrate Yoruba heritage while promoting Christian values.

The defence came amid renewed debate following the announcement that *Agbara Nla*, one of Mount Zion’s most influential films, will return to cinemas on October 1, 2026, more than 30 years after its original release.

The controversy erupted on X after a user identified as Ifẹ́ṣọlá criticized the film ministry, accusing it of spending decades portraying Yoruba spirituality as evil while presenting Christianity as the superior alternative. The user argued that audiences are now more informed and increasingly questioning such narratives.

Responding in a strongly worded statement shared online, Joshua said the criticism misrepresented the mission and content of Mount Zion Films.

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According to him, the ministry has consistently embraced Yoruba culture through its language, traditional attire, proverbs, royal institutions and storytelling techniques, all of which are regularly featured in its productions.

He cited the popular Mount Zion character Abejoye as an example of how Christian faith and Yoruba cultural identity can coexist.

“Abejoye became a born-again Christian while still speaking deep Yoruba, bowing before his king, and dropping proverbs that would make your grandfather nod,” Joshua said.

He argued that Mount Zion’s message is not aimed at erasing culture but at promoting spiritual transformation through Christianity.

Joshua further rejected claims that the ministry frames its stories as a battle between Yoruba spirituality and a foreign religion. Rather, he said the films focus on the universal struggle between good and evil.

“We frame it as Light versus Darkness. Darkness has no nationality,” he stated.

The filmmaker also challenged suggestions that Mount Zion’s success was built solely on films depicting traditional religion. According to him, productions set within traditional spiritual contexts account for less than 30 per cent of the ministry’s catalogue of more than 200 films.

He described the criticism as an emotional reaction rather than a fair assessment of the ministry’s body of work.

“Your entire argument is built on a minority of the catalogue, filtered through a lens of cultural grievance. That’s not analysis; that’s a feeling dressed up as a fact,” he wrote.

Joshua welcomed public scrutiny of the films but urged critics to watch them in full before reaching conclusions.

The exchange has reignited conversations on social media about the portrayal of African traditional beliefs in faith-based entertainment and the relationship between religion and cultural identity.

Despite the controversy, anticipation remains high for the re-release of *Agbara Nla*, a film widely regarded as one of Mount Zion’s most iconic productions.