Nigeria’s celebrated gospel reggae artiste, Buchi Atuonwu, has offered a rare perspective on the relationship between faith, hospitality and alcohol, defending the decision to serve alcoholic beverages at his Christian-themed hospitality centre while insisting the space remains an extension of his ministry.
The founder of Kulture Yard, an entertainment and hospitality venue in Ikeja, said his vision was never to build another church, but to create an environment where Christian values could meet everyday social life. Speaking in an interview following the release of his new album One Big Family, Buchi argued that the influence of the gospel should not be confined to church buildings.
According to him, hospitality provides an opportunity to engage people who might never attend a church service, making the venue a place where recreation, fellowship and Christian values can coexist.
That philosophy has also shaped the venue’s operating policies.
While Kulture Yard prohibits smoking because of its impact on other guests, Buchi said he does not believe serving alcohol contradicts biblical teaching.
“In the Bible there is alcohol as well,” he said. “With alcohol, I am not aware that it is a sin. When I learn that, we will make adjustment.”
The comment is notable because it comes from one of Nigeria’s most recognised gospel musicians, whose ministry has traditionally been associated with evangelism, worship and Christian teaching.
Rather than framing alcohol as a moral issue, Buchi distinguished between responsible hospitality and behaviours that directly harm others. He explained that smoking was excluded from the venue because second-hand smoke affects everyone in the environment, whereas alcohol consumption remains an individual choice.
Beyond beverages, Kulture Yard reflects a broader philosophy that Christian engagement should extend into everyday life instead of remaining within church walls.
Buchi said the inspiration for the project came from a desire to make the Word of God accessible in ordinary social settings. He described every member of staff as a potential missionary whose service goes beyond food and drinks to creating an atmosphere shaped by Christian values.
“We should take the word of God to the workplace and the crossroads of life,” he said, explaining that the hospitality business allows faith to be expressed through service rather than religious programming.
The artiste, who recently released One Big Family to mark his birthday, also used the interview to renew his call for greater unity among Christian denominations, arguing that divisions within the church have weakened its influence on national issues.
For the hospitality and beverage industry, Buchi’s comments highlight an emerging conversation about how faith-based businesses balance commercial hospitality with religious identity. His model suggests that serving beverages, including alcohol, need not automatically conflict with Christian principles when operators define clear behavioural standards and maintain the values they seek to promote.
Whether his position gains wider acceptance or attracts criticism, it represents one of the clearest public statements yet from a prominent Nigerian gospel figure on the place of alcohol within a faith-inspired hospitality business.
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