‘Igbo Traditional Religion Superior To Christianity’ — Filmmaker Tobe Osigwe

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Nigerian filmmaker and practitioner of Igbo traditional spirituality, Tobe Osigwe, has asserted that Odinala, the indigenous Igbo religion, is superior to Christianity and other organised faiths.

Speaking in an interview on 90MinutesAfrica with Rudolf Okonkwo, the Theatre Arts graduate likened Christianity to “a secondary school” while describing Odinala as “a university.”

Osigwe, who is also a practising dibia (traditional spiritual healer), argued that any Igbo person who seeks deeper spiritual enlightenment after practising Christianity would eventually return to traditional religion.

“Anyone who has gone through Christianity and still wants to advance spiritually will discover that the next step is traditional religion. Igbo traditional religion is higher than Christianity and other organised faiths,” he said.

The filmmaker claimed that many Igbo people remain Christians out of fear rather than conviction. “They are afraid of hellfire. But some of us know that hell doesn’t exist—it’s a myth created to sustain Christianity and discourage people from asking questions,” he added.

Osigwe urged the Igbo to reconnect with Odinala while maintaining a strong emphasis on modern education, insisting that technological advancement and tradition should complement each other.

“The ways of our ancestors are about ethics and values, but science is another matter entirely. Tradition cannot replace science,” he said. “Igbo elites should pursue education that drives technological growth while integrating the moral systems of Odinala. The Chinese learned technology from the West but preserved their values. I don’t want to return to an analogue lifestyle, but to apply our traditional ethics to guide and protect modern society.”