Video: Why I Quit Drinking Alcohol - Osinbajo

In a candid revelation that has resonated widely, former Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has detailed the profound personal experience that led him to abstain from alcohol. This decision, described as a defining moment in his spiritual life, stemmed from an encounter during his service in the justice sector of a United Nations mission in Mogadishu.

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You are the priest, and we cannot be drinking around the priest.

Osinbajo, who admitted to occasionally enjoying red wine and beer, shared a specific Sunday experience. After delivering a sermon, he intended to buy two cans of Heineken before returning to his room to read his Bible. However, upon entering a restaurant, he noticed colleagues quickly hiding their drinks upon his arrival. This reaction prompted him to question a Danish colleague, who explained, "You are the priest, and we cannot be drinking around the priest."

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I like my red wine once in a while, and then I like my beer.

This seemingly simple statement had a deep impact on Osinbajo, prompting significant introspection about his faith and the principles guiding his actions. He realized the biblical concept that while many things may be permissible, not all are beneficial. This realization marked a turning point, leading him to the firm decision to cease alcohol consumption entirely, a commitment he has maintained ever since.

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On this particular Sunday, I was coming back from the Fellowship where I had preached, and I was just hoping to buy two canned Heineken and go to my room and read my Bible.