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Nigerian singer, filmmaker and entrepreneur Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, has revealed how a failed political ambition helped him reflect on his purpose and eventually embrace roles in pastoral ministry and academia.
The entertainer shared the experience in an Instagram post marking his first anniversary with Union Church, where he serves as an associate pastor and global ambassador.
Recalling a joke he once made about his nickname, P.Banks, Banky W said he had previously insisted that the letter “P” stood for Professor rather than Pastor.
“I used to joke that the ‘P’ in P.Banks stood for Professor, not Pastor. I guess God heard and said, ‘Why not both?’” he wrote.
Banky W explained that he had always resisted being restricted to one professional identity but later realised that his different interests and ambitions did not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive.
He said his perspective changed after losing an election in 2023, an experience he described as deeply painful despite the lessons it taught him.
“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 the singer, he turned to God after the election and sought direction on what to do next, questioning whether his future should focus on leadership, ministry, entertainment or business.
“When the dust settled, I took those pieces back to God. And I surrendered,” he wrote.
He added that he asked God whether he should pursue leadership or ministry, entertainment or business, and the marketplace or ministry.
Banky W said he eventually understood that he had been trying to separate pursuits that did not necessarily have to exist independently of one another.
“And somewhere along the way, I realized 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 stated.
The singer said he came to see the development as an expansion of his responsibilities rather than a departure from his existing career.
“Turns out, God wasn’t trying to put me in a box. He was expanding my assignment,” he wrote.
He explained that he continues to work as a filmmaker, musician and entrepreneur while also serving as a pastor and professor.
Banky W disclosed that travelling regularly between Lagos and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, commonly referred to as the DMV, has not always been easy. However, he said the experience had been worthwhile.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve at Union Church and Union College, acknowledging the influence of church leaders Stephen Chandler and Zai Chandler on his faith, family and future.
Reflecting on the election setback a year later, Banky W said the outcome had not aligned with his expectations but had helped him reconsider his plans.
“One year later, I’m reminded that sometimes what feels like the end of your story is really just God turning the page,” he wrote.
“The election didn’t go the way I hoped. But God’s plans for my life are bigger than the plans I had for myself.”
He added that he expected to remain active in business, film and music, signalling that his pastoral responsibilities would complement rather than replace his other professional pursuits.
Concluding his message, Banky W expressed gratitude for the opportunities and lessons he believes have shaped his journey, describing the past year as the beginning of a longer period of purpose.
“One year down. A lifetime of purpose ahead,” he wrote, asking his followers to wish him a happy first “Unionversary.”
