Popular Bible teacher and founder of Peace House in Gboko, Benue State, Gbile Akanni, has shared details of his spiritual journey. He disclosed that he practised Islam before surrendering his life to Christ in 1970.
Akanni made this known during a session on an online platform called Pilgrims Spot, monitored by Church Times Nigeria.
According to him, his early exposure to Islam came through family influence. Several of his uncles were Muslims. During his childhood, no one in his household attended church.
“I gave my life to Christ about 56 years ago,” he said. “Before then, I had embraced Islam because some of my uncles were Muslims. My father never went to church. Nobody went to church in our house.”
A Childhood Marked by Oracle Rituals
Akanni also described growing up in a deeply traditional and occult environment. His father was an herbalist. Spiritual decisions in the family were guided by oracles.
He explained that newborns were presented to an oracle three days after birth. Senior herbalists would gather to determine the child’s future.
If the oracle declared that a boy would serve in the shrine, he would not attend school. Instead, he would be assigned to learn under a herbalist. Girls faced a different fate. They were often pledged to become wives of priests from a young age.
Akanni revealed that his elder sister was given out in marriage as a child. Though she remained with her family while growing up, she was handed over to an older man at the age of 15.
His two elder brothers, he added, were denied formal education because the oracle declared they would become herbalists. Years later, Akanni personally taught them how to read and write.
The Oracle’s Unusual Verdict
Unlike his siblings, Akanni’s case was different. When he was presented before the oracle, the verdict was unclear.
“They checked again and said the oracle did not know what I was meant to become,” he recalled. “They could not compel me.”
Because of this unusual pronouncement, he was given the freedom to choose. When asked if he wanted to attend school, he said yes. That decision changed the course of his life.
Looking back, Akanni believes divine purpose was at work even before he understood it. He referenced Jeremiah 1:5, which speaks about being set apart before birth.
“I would have been one of the chief herbalists somewhere,” he said. “But God prevailed where there was no preacher. God set me apart.”
Today, the founder of Peace House continues to teach and mentor believers, often reflecting on how his early years shaped his faith and calling.
