Afrobeat activist and musician Seun Kuti has once again stirred strong reactions with his latest public statement, insisting that Jesus Christ was a black man and criticising Nigerian churches for continuing to display white portraits of the figure. The son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti argued that historical and scientific evidence supports a black Jesus while accusing Nigerian Christians of prioritising interests of white men over local issues.
Kuti began by questioning the depictions of Jesus as a white man in churches when he was historically not one.
“Jesus is a black man and science has proven it. This is 2026, not the Stone Age. We all know the geographical skin tone of the Middle East in the time of Jesus Christ. Even the Bible described him as bronze skin, wooly hair, black man.”
He questioned why churches persist with the white imagery, asserted that they were worshipping the white man disguised as Jesus, and linked it to what he called a lack of concern for reported Christian persecution within the country.
“How many churches have a black Jesus portrait displayed? Jesus is unarguably black so why are the churches still hanging a white Jesus portrait? It’s because you’re fighting for a white man and that’s why you don’t care about the Christian genocide in the country.”
Kuti went further, claiming that white foreigners drive the focus on local issues.
“You’re fighting for white people who want to come and steal our resources in your name hiding behind the genocide. Even if there was a genocide, I put it to you Nigerian Christians that you don’t care. The only reason you care is because some white men have said there’s one and they want to come and kill black people and as usual, it excites you to watch your fellow black man die.”
The activist also referenced past leadership, noting that former President Muhammadu Buhari faced little pushback from the same groups during his tenure.
“When late President Buhari was committing genocide, none of you spoke up against him.
”Known for carrying forward his father’s legacy of bold political and social commentary, Seun Kuti has built a reputation for unfiltered takes on governance, religion, and identity in Nigeria. His latest remarks arrive amid wider conversations about religious representation, historical accuracy, and the role of faith communities in addressing domestic challenges.