Why Are So Many Nigerians Dying Quickly

During a recent trip through southeastern Nigeria, Nollywood actor Yul Edochie noticed something disturbing and deeply spiritual, in his view.

As he drove from Anambra to Arochukwu in Abia State, what caught his eye wasn’t the scenery, but the countless obituary posters of young people pasted across towns and villages. 

To him, this wasn’t just about road accidents or poor healthcare. This was a sign of something deeper. Something spiritual.

Edochie believes the rate of untimely deaths in Nigeria, particularly among young people, isn’t just a social or political issue, it’s the result of a spiritual disconnect. He says Nigeria is suffering because its people have drifted too far from their traditional roots.

“Our ancestors and spirits are angry,” he wrote in a recent Facebook post.
“We abandoned our traditional ways. That is the problem.”

For Yul, the solution isn’t in more policies or prayers from imported religions. It lies in what he sees as a much-needed spiritual reset. A return to the beliefs, values, and systems that guided the ancestors before modern religions swept across the continent.

This isn’t the first time the actor has stirred the waters with controversial views. From comments on Igbo unity to his spiritual leanings, Yul has never shied away from challenging mainstream narratives. 

But his recent claim that Nigerians must return to traditional religion in order to survive has sparked fresh conversation.

In his words, reconnecting with ancestral spirits and traditions is not optional; it’s the only way to restore balance and protection in a land that feels increasingly unsafe. “If we align with our ancestors,” he argued, “they will fight our battles.”

For some Nigerians, especially those already questioning the direction of the country, his words resonate. For others, it sounds like a call to abandon modern faiths and practices, which they’re not ready to give up.

Perhaps it’s time Nigerians asked harder questions about what they’ve left behind and what it’s costing them. Is there truly a spiritual gap that needs to be filled? Or is Yul Edochie simply voicing the frustration of a nation looking for answers wherever they can be found?