Veteran evangelist and filmmaker Mike Bamiloye has come to the defense of the trending gospel track Never Going Back by Gaise Baba and Lawrence Oyor, calling on Christians to prioritize the song’s spiritual message over the artists’ appearance.

The energetic song, which fuses Yoruba language with modern beats and powerful faith-filled lyrics, has struck a chord with young Nigerians, garnering over 4 million streams online.

Despite its popularity, the track has stirred debate within some Christian circles, with critics pointing to the artists’ unconventional looks—such as colorful hairstyles, headbands, and expressive dance moves featured in the video. In response to the criticism, Bamiloye, founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, took to social media to offer a different perspective.

Quoting a line from the song—“Ife Jesu lo wa mi ri, to gbami ku o” (translated as “The love of Jesus sought me, found me, and died for me”)—Bamiloye highlighted the gospel message embedded in the lyrics. “That’s the gospel in Yoruba rhythm and sound!” he wrote. “Yet some are fixated on Gaise’s hair and Lawrence’s headband? Seriously?”

He stressed the importance of connecting with the youth using relatable gospel content, warning that constant disapproval might drive them toward secular influences.

“If they’re not listening to something like Never Going Back, they’ll turn to something else—and let’s face it, much of what’s out there isn’t pointing them to Jesus,” Bamiloye noted.

Urging for more acceptance and encouragement, he concluded, “Instead of tearing down, let’s build up. Let’s support gospel expressions that speak the language of today’s generation.”