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Nigerian gospel artist Akinade Ibuoye, popularly known as Gaise Baba, has opened up about his personal struggles with pornography addiction, his commitment to sexual purity, and the bittersweet rise to fame following his mother’s passing.
In a candid interview on the With Chude podcast with host Chude Jideonwo, aired on July 12, 2025, the 39-year-old singer behind the viral hit No Turning Back revealed how he battled addiction from age 15 while maintaining his vow to marry as a virgin. His story, which has stirred debate within Christian communities due to his unconventional views, offers a raw look at faith, resilience, and redemption.
A Teen’s Struggle with Addiction and Purity
Gaise Baba, whose afro-fusion gospel style blends traditional Christian themes with modern beats, shared that he began watching pornography at 15, soon becoming addicted despite signing a “covenant of purity” with his pastor. “Yes, I married as a virgin. I and my wife. It took more time, sir, before we find the way,” he told Jideonwo. “I was 15 when I started watching bad things. Now, there’s something you call covenant of purity… I just scribble something. I sign it, go to meet the pastor. I’m like, my covenant of purity. In fact, it was shortly after that I got addicted to porn. I knew that under the right temperature and pressure, any man can fall.”This admission, detailed in sources like Creebhills and Legit.ng, highlights the tension between his spiritual commitment and personal struggles. Gaise Baba, who married Funto Ibuoye in 2015, emphasized that both he and his wife upheld their virginity until marriage, a journey he described as fraught with challenges but grounded in faith.
His openness has resonated with fans, with X user @adafaith__ commenting, “This is the kind of transparency we need in the body of Christ. Thank you Gaise,” per Legit.ng. However, his unorthodox views on Christian expression, including his tinted hair and urban style, have sparked controversy among conservative believers, as noted on QED.ng.
Breakthrough Amid Grief
Gaise Baba’s rise to prominence came with the 2025 remix of No Turning Back, featuring fiery worship leader Lawrence Oyor. The song, originally released in 2024 with little fanfare, became a cultural phenomenon among young Nigerians, including non-Christians, and was even performed at a Redeemed Christian Church of God service, per @Austeiin on X. The remix’s success, however, was bittersweet. “This season everybody’s talking about kicked off like two weeks after my mom passed,” Gaise Baba shared. “Fame came at a point that I was no longer looking for it.”The timing of his breakthrough, detailed in Talk Talk Nigeria, underscores the emotional weight of his journey. Gaise Baba, who studied Economics at Obafemi Awolowo University and music business at Berklee College of Music, had faced setbacks, including moving back with his parents and battling depression, per me.withchude.com. His mother’s passing in early 2025, followed by a prophetic voice note affirming his global mission, marked a turning point, as he shared on the podcast.
Controversy Surrounding ‘No Turning Back’
While No Turning Back has become an anthem, its repetitive chanting style has stirred debate within Christian circles. A Nigerian pastor criticized the song for not reflecting “the true spirit of the gospel,” per TSB News, and a video titled “Lawrence Oyor & Gaise Baba Are Antichrists!” raised concerns about its spiritual implications, per God’s Messengers.
Supporters, however, defend its passionate declaration of faith, aligning with themes of steadfast devotion, as noted in Creebhills. Gaise Baba, who runs youth initiatives like LightOut and the Aramanda Festival, has not directly addressed these criticisms but continues to emphasize authentic worship, per QED.ng.
A Voice for Resilience
Gaise Baba’s story, as shared on With Chude, resonates as a testament to overcoming personal and spiritual challenges. His transparency about addiction, purity, and grief has inspired fans like @real_ayotunde, who wrote on X, “Battling addiction while holding on to purity… that’s real strength,” per Legit.ng. His career, bolstered by international performances in Kigali and the UK, reflects a broader mission to impact culture through gospel music, as detailed in TheCable Lifestyle.In a statement to Creebhills, Gaise Baba reflected, “My journey shows that grace meets us at our lowest, and purpose can be birthed out of pain.” As No Turning Back continues to dominate airwaves, his story challenges stereotypes about faith and success, sparking conversations about authenticity in Nigeria’s gospel scene.
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