Mike Bamiloye speaks on viral gospel hit ‘Never Going Back’

Renowned evangelist and founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, Mike Bamiloye, has come to the defense of the trending gospel track Never Going Back by Gaise Baba and Lawrence Oyor, amid criticism from some Christian circles.

The song, which include declarations of faith, has garnered over 4 million streams and struck a chord with Nigerian youths.

However, it has also drawn backlash over the artists’ appearance and the energetic nature of the music video.

In a social media post, Bamiloye urged believers to look beyond the colorful hair, headbands, and dance moves, and instead focus on the song’s powerful message of salvation and personal transformation.

“The lyrics say: ‘Ife Jesu lo wa mi ri, to gbami ku o’—‘The love of Jesus sought me, found me, and died for me.’ That’s the gospel in Yoruba rhythm and sound!” he wrote. “Yet all some people can talk about is Gaise’s hair color and Lawrence’s headband. Really?”

He stressed the importance of reaching the younger generation with relatable gospel content, warning that harsh criticism risks pushing them further towards secular influences.

“If they’re not listening to something like Never Going Back, they’ll be listening to something else—and let’s be honest, a lot of what’s out there isn’t helping them know Jesus,” Bamiloye noted.

He called for prayers and support for gospel expressions that connect with today’s youth, stating, “Rather than criticize, let’s encourage. Let’s support gospel expressions that speak to this generation in their own rhythm.”