Nigerian singer, filmmaker and entrepreneur Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, has become an ordained pastor in the United States, revealing that his defeat in the 2023 general election played a significant role in his journey into ministry.

The entertainer disclosed this while reflecting on his first anniversary of serving at Union Church, where he holds the positions of associate pastor and global ambassador.

Banky, who relocated to the United States with his family about two years ago, said the disappointment that followed his unsuccessful political bid forced him to reconsider his future and seek direction about the next phase of his life.

In the 2023 election, he contested for the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but lost to Labour Party candidate Thaddeus Attah.

Recounting the experience in a statement shared on Instagram, the singer described the defeat as deeply painful, saying it left him emotionally broken despite the lessons he learnt from the experience.

“In 2023 I lost an election. And while the experience inspired me in many ways, it also broke my heart into a million little pieces,” he said.

According to him, he turned to God after the election and began seeking clarity on whether his future lay in politics, pastoral ministry, entertainment or business.

He said he eventually realised that he did not have to abandon one professional pursuit to embrace another, adding that his different interests could coexist as part of a broader purpose.

“Somewhere along the way, I realised that I was asking God to choose between things He had never asked me to separate. It wasn’t either/or. It was all of the above,” he said.

Banky added that the experience helped him understand his new responsibilities as an expansion of his calling rather than a departure from his established career.

“Turns out, God wasn’t trying to put me in a box. He was expanding my assignment,” he stated.

The singer said he remained committed to music, filmmaking and entrepreneurship while embracing his responsibilities in Christian ministry and education.

He disclosed that he serves as an associate pastor and global ambassador at Union Church, a non-denominational Christian church led by pastors Stephen and Zai Chandler. He also works as a teacher and leader at Union College.

Banky W expressed gratitude to the church leaders, crediting their influence with contributing positively to his personal life, spiritual growth, family and future.

He also acknowledged the challenges of travelling between Lagos and the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, commonly referred to as the DMV, but said the experience had been worthwhile.

The entertainer reflected on how his plans had changed since the election, noting that what initially appeared to be a painful setback had become part of a different journey.

He said he had learnt to trust that the outcome of an experience might open the way for opportunities he had not originally considered.

Banky W also indicated that his move into pastoral ministry would not mark the end of his entertainment career, promising further developments in music, film and business.

“There’s more to come on the business, film, and music fronts,” he said.

Concluding his reflection, the singer expressed gratitude for the opportunities and relationships that had shaped his journey, describing his first year at Union Church as the beginning of a longer commitment to purpose.

“One year down. A lifetime of purpose ahead,” he wrote, asking his followers to celebrate his first anniversary with the church.

Banky W built a career in Nigeria’s entertainment industry as a singer, songwriter, actor and entrepreneur before venturing into politics. His latest disclosure highlights a new chapter in his public life, combining his existing professional interests with pastoral service in the United States.