Saheed Osupa Sparks Uproar After Openly Admitting to Using ‘Juju’ for Success

Popular Fuji musician Saheed Okunola, widely known as Saheed Osupa, has stirred widespread controversy after openly declaring that he uses traditional spiritual practices, commonly referred to as “juju,” to aid his success and personal progress.

Global Mirror News gathered that the veteran entertainer made the remark during a live performance at the 52nd birthday celebration of veteran Nollywood actor Fatai Odua, popularly known as Lalude, held on March 30, 2026.

A video from the event resurfaced online and began trending on Wednesday April 8, drawing intense reactions from fans, clerics and social media users.

In the clip, Osupa was seen joking with his backup singers after they struggled to keep up with his fast-paced delivery on stage. He advised them to use spiritual means to improve their memory and concentration, insisting that such practices do not necessarily make a person evil or fetish.

While addressing the audience, the Fuji star went further to admit that he has never hidden his belief in traditional spiritual practices.

According to him, someone once advised him to publicly deny being associated with “juju” during an interview, but he refused.

“I was once told to grant an interview and deny that I use juju, but I said no. Why should I deny it? I have never harmed anyone with it or used it for evil. I only seek progress and success,” Osupa said during the performance.

He also revealed that he regularly pays homage to Ifa, insisting that he sees nothing wrong in doing so.

The singer argued that being poor is not desirable and that people should pursue whatever they believe can help them live comfortably, provided it does not harm others.

Osupa further claimed that many people secretly engage in spiritual practices but pretend otherwise in public.

“Everybody does it. The difference is that some people do theirs secretly, while I do mine openly,” he said.

Global Mirror News further gathered that the comments immediately sparked outrage online, especially among many of Osupa’s Muslim followers, who expressed disappointment over his statements.

Several Islamic clerics and commentators took to TikTok and other social media platforms to criticise the Fuji star, saying his remarks could mislead his followers.

One Islamic preacher identified as Alagusiy urged Osupa to abandon such beliefs and return fully to God.

According to the cleric, Osupa’s fame and wealth did not come from juju or Ifa, but from divine destiny.

“You do not need to promote Ifa because many Muslims admire and follow you. God is the one who made you rich and successful, not juju,” the cleric said.

Another commentator, Uwais Lukman, argued that Osupa had never truly represented strict Islamic values, claiming that the nature of his profession already placed him outside the path expected of a devout Muslim.

He maintained that musicians often promote different ideas depending on circumstance and added that using musical instruments in religious expression is frowned upon by some Islamic scholars.

A third commentator known as General Tom also condemned the singer’s remarks, alleging that Osupa had become too comfortable speaking publicly about spiritual practices.

Despite the backlash, Osupa refused to back down.

In a follow-up reaction shared on Tuesday, the Fuji icon said he has never disrespected Christianity or Islam. He insisted that he believes in both Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad, but criticised what he described as hypocrisy and “eye service” among people who secretly do the same things they condemn publicly.

However, he did not withdraw his earlier statement or deny using traditional spiritual practices.

Global Mirror News further gathered that this is not the first time the singer has spoken about seeking spiritual assistance. Over the years, Osupa has occasionally referenced encounters with traditional priests and spiritual figures during stage performances.

The controversy has continued to dominate conversations on social media, with supporters defending his right to personal beliefs while critics insist that, as a respected public figure, he should be more careful about the message he sends to younger fans and followers.