Nigerian music executive Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, has shared how losing the 2023 general election led him to seek God’s guidance.
The 45-year-old singer talked about his experience in a recent Instagram post celebrating his first year with Union Church, where he is an associate pastor.
Banky W said losing the election broke his heart, but it also gave him time to think about his future and rethink his direction.
“The election didn’t go the way I hoped. But God’s plans for my life are bigger than the plans I had for myself,” he said.
“And the beautiful thing is, He’s still writing.”
The singer said he struggled to decide what came next, unsure whether to focus on politics, entertainment, business or ministry.
Over time, he realised he didn’t have to choose one path over the others.
“It wasn’t either/or. It was all of the above,” he said.
“Turns out, God wasn’t trying to put me in a box. He was expanding my assignment.”
The singer said he now serves as an associate pastor at Union Church and as a teacher and leader at Union College.
He admitted that shuttling between Lagos and the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia area to fulfil his responsibilities can be demanding, but described the experience as worthwhile.
In 2024, Banky W relocated with his family to the United States to advance his studies in public administration. He cited family, faith, and a search for purpose as his motivations.
In 2023, he contested the Eti-Osa federal constituency seat on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket.
However, the singer-turned-politician lost to Thaddeus Attah of the Labour Party (LP).