Nollywood actress Juliana Olayode has come to the defence of Nigerian clergymen facing criticism over their perceived silence on the country's growing insecurity, arguing that not all meaningful intervention must take place in the public eye.
The actress shared her views in a series of posts on Instagram, where she acknowledged the ongoing debate surrounding the role of religious leaders in addressing national issues but maintained that pastors should not be judged solely by their social media activity.
Olayode admitted that her opinion might attract criticism but said it was important to consider the broader responsibilities and calling of spiritual leaders.
“I know I might get dragged for saying this and not to deviate from the issue at hand, but I don’t know if it’s just my Tiktok and Instagram algorithm, I’ve been seeing a lot of videos of people calling out pastors. There’s something I think we should also take into consideration,” she wrote.
The actress agreed that pastors, alongside imams, sheikhs and other influential figures, have a responsibility to lend their voices to important national conversations. However, she cautioned against assuming that those who are not speaking publicly are indifferent to the challenges facing the country.
“Yes, I believe pastors should speak up more. So should Imams, Sheikhs, and everyone with a voice and influence. But we should not automatically assume that those who are not speaking publicly on social media are doing nothing or are unconcerned about what is happening in the country. Not all meaningful action is visible online.”
‘Pastors Are Not Activists’
Olayode further argued that while some pastors may choose to comment on political and social issues, activism is not necessarily the primary role of religious leaders.
According to her, pastors operate under a different mandate, one that often centres on spiritual guidance, prayer and counselling rather than public advocacy.
“Pastors are not activists, though they certainly can speak on political and societal issues when they feel led to do so.”
She acknowledged that public distrust of some religious leaders has grown due to negative experiences involving individuals who have abused their positions in the name of faith.
Despite this, she insisted that many sincere and dedicated clergy members continue to serve their communities faithfully.
“I understand that some people have no regard for pastors. We have seen and heard painful stories of what some have done in the name of God. But, while false pastors exist, so do genuine ones, men and women who serve faithfully, walk in integrity and carry their spiritual responsibility with sincerity.”
Spiritual Responsibility Beyond Public Statements
The actress also stressed that spiritual leadership often involves responsibilities that are not immediately visible to the public.
Drawing from biblical examples, she noted that God's servants did not always respond to national crises through public declarations or activism. Instead, their roles frequently involved prayer, intercession and direct engagement with leaders behind the scenes.
“Yes, pastors are human beings like the rest of us, but they are under divine authority and also carry a spiritual responsibility before God.”
She added:
“Throughout the scriptures, God’s servants didn’t always respond to national crises with public statements. Sometimes their assignment was to pray, intercede, offer counsel, and personally engage those in authority as God directed.”
Debate Over Religious Leaders’ Role Continues
Olayode's comments come amid increasing calls for religious leaders in Nigeria to take more visible positions on issues such as insecurity, economic hardship and governance.
While some Nigerians believe influential clerics should speak out more forcefully on national challenges, others share Olayode's view that spiritual interventions and private engagements can be just as impactful as public statements.
Her remarks have added another perspective to the ongoing conversation about the responsibilities of faith leaders and the different ways they can contribute to addressing societal challenges beyond social media and public platforms.