No, Ebenezer Obey is Not Dead; Viral Rumour Debunked by the Veteran Musician Himself
BY: Mustapha Lawal
Claim:
Nigerian music legend, Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, has died.
Verdict:
False. The octogenarian musician is alive and well. He has personally debunked the rumour in a widely circulated video.
Full Text:
On the evening of April 21, 2025, a claim began circulating on Nairaland, a popular Nigerian online forum that Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, a celebrated Juju musician and evangelist, had passed away. The post, authored by a user identified as stabilizer, stated: “He died few mins ago… Details to be made public very soon. May his soul rest in perfect peace.” This post was soon followed by a flurry of condolence messages and emotive tributes from forum users.
It quickly gained traction, with many users posting condolence messages and tributes. Some were sceptical, asking for confirmation or official statements, while others readily believed and shared it. The rumour further spread to X (formerly Twitter) and other social media platforms, generating panic and sadness among fans of the veteran musician.
This was not the first time that Ebenezer Obey had been the subject of such claim. In previous years, similar false claims about his health and wellbeing have circulated online, sparking panic among fans and concern among colleagues in the music industry.
Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, popularly known as Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, is one of Nigeria’s most respected Juju musicians. Born in 1942, he began his professional career in the 1950s and rose to prominence in the 1960s with his unique blend of Yoruba highlife and spiritual lyrics.
Beyond his music, Obey is also an evangelist and church leader, respected for his influence both in the entertainment industry and in faith-based communities. Over the years, he has won numerous awards and remained active in social commentary, music, and philanthropy.
Because of his stature, any news about his health or wellbeing tends to gain massive traction, particularly on platforms with low content verification standards.
Given the virality of the claim and its potential emotional and reputational damage, FactCheckAfrica verified its authenticity.
Verification:
Our investigation found no credible report from verified news outlets or the musician’s representatives confirming his death. Instead, the opposite turned out to be true.
Eight hours ago from the time of filing this report, Ebenezer Obey personally released a video on his Instagram page with the caption “I AM ALIVE!!!!!”, firmly debunking the rumour.
In the clip, which lasted over a minute, Obey sang in Yoruba, English, and Pidgin English, dismissing the claims of his death as “Satanic lies.”
“It is fake news that started a few hours ago claiming that I, Evangelist Obey, have passed on to glory. It is a lie. I am alive, and that is not the word Jesus has written,” he declared.
He added, through song: “Satan, you don lose o… Na lie lie you dey talk, you don pafuka.” You can watch the video on his Instagram page here.
Additionally, Tope Olukole, his personal assistant, confirmed to TVC News on Monday evening that the report was false and that the 82-year-old legend was in good health.
This position was corroborated by Punch Newspaper, which published a report titled “I’m Alive – Ebenezer Obey Debunks Death Rumour” source.
Conclusion:
The viral claim that Ebenezer Obey has died is false. The veteran musician has personally debunked the rumour in a video, reaffirming that he is alive and well. His personal assistant and major news platforms have also confirmed this. The public is advised to disregard the rumour and refrain from sharing unverified information, especially regarding sensitive matters like death.
