By Alexis Uchendu
After 17 years in the Catholic priesthood, Dr. Echezona Obiagbaosogu has embraced African traditional religion, citing a deep-rooted connection to ancestral spirituality.
Now a lecturer in African Traditional Religion at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, his transition marks a significant shift from the pulpit to the preservation of indigenous knowledge.
Obiagbaosogu’s journey was influenced by his upbringing—his father, a Christian agriculturist, valued traditional medicinal practices, while his maternal grandfather was a traditionalist.
His fascination with rainmaking and Igbo African medicine culminated in his PhD dissertation on “Rainmaking and Control in Igbo African Medicine.”
Reflecting on his transformation, he revealed that his research began while he was still a priest, but he later resigned to fully embrace African spirituality.
Now married, he believes his mission is to revive lost African values and highlight the contributions of native doctors (dibia), to African culture.
“My path is not a rejection of God but an embrace of divinity through ancestral traditions,” Obiagbaosogu stated.
His transition underscores a growing dialogue on the intersection of religion, spirituality, and the preservation of African heritage.
