My Name Was Tied To A Deity’ – IK Osakioduwa Reveals Sh*cking Reason Behind Name Change

During an appearance on The Nancy Isime Show, IK explained that the decision to change his surname from Obiara to Osakioduwa began years ago after a visit to a military hospital in Ikeja with his father, who was a soldier in the Nigerian Army.

Bushradio reports that during the hospital visit, IK was asked to state his identity and name his father, which triggered deep self-reflection about his heritage and personal beliefs.

He recounted that his original surname, Obiara, made him uneasy after discovering it had ties to a deity—something that clashed with his Christian faith.

“That moment reminded me of the biblical story of Jacob, whose name changed after wrestling with God,” IK said. “So I began researching my name and found out it was linked to a deity. I thought, ‘This doesn’t align with my faith. I need a new name.’”

The decision wasn’t immediate. It took him nearly four years to convince his father, though his mother quietly supported his desire for change. He also spent time praying for guidance before settling on a new identity.

He eventually adopted the surname Osakioduwa, which translates to “God opens the door to wealth.” According to IK, embracing this new name marked a turning point that positively impacted both his personal and professional journey.