You Are A Priest” — Yemi Osinbajo Reveals The Encounter That Made Him Quit Drinking

In a viral video, Osinbajo recounted how an encounter during his time on a United Nations mission in Mogadishu, Somalia, changed his perspective and influenced his decision. He revealed that although he was already a pastor at the time, he occasionally drank red wine and beer.

According to him, the turning point came after he had preached at a Sunday fellowship and later visited a restaurant within the UN camp intending to buy beer and return to his room. There, he met colleagues from different countries who were drinking, but noticed they appeared uncomfortable when he arrived and tried to conceal their drinks.

Osinbajo said he asked one of them, a Danish colleague, why they were hiding their drinks, and was told it was because they saw him as a priest and did not feel comfortable drinking openly in his presence.

He said that response deeply affected him and prompted serious reflection about his identity, the example he represented, and the difference between what is permissible and what is appropriate.

According to him, the experience made him conclude that even though some things may be lawful, they may not always be expedient. He said that encounter ultimately led him to give up alcohol completely.