Dare Babalola
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has recounted the unexpected experience that made him give up alcohol completely, describing it as a turning point in his personal life.
In a video circulating online on Tuesday, the former vice president shared the story while speaking about faith, discipline and personal choices. He revealed that although he was a pastor, he still occasionally drank red wine and beer at the time.
Osinbajo said he enjoyed having wine from time to time and sometimes took beer, noting that he did not initially see anything wrong with the habit.
He explained, however, that everything changed during his time working with the United Nations mission in Somalia, where he served in the justice sector.
According to him, the defining moment happened one Sunday in Mogadishu after he had finished preaching at a Christian fellowship gathering.
He said he planned to stop by a restaurant within the UN compound to buy two cans of Heineken before returning to his room to read the Bible.
On getting to the restaurant, he noticed several colleagues from different countries seated together and drinking. He said the atmosphere changed immediately they saw him, as many of them quickly tried to conceal their drinks.
Curious about their reaction, Osinbajo said he approached one of his colleagues from Denmark and asked why he was hiding his glass of whiskey.
He recalled that the colleague replied by saying they could not openly drink in the presence of “the priest.”
The former vice president said the statement struck him deeply and became a moment of reflection. According to him, he immediately understood the biblical teaching that not everything lawful is necessarily beneficial.
Osinbajo said he interpreted the encounter as a divine reminder about responsibility, influence and the example he was expected to set.
He added that from that day onward, he decided to stop drinking alcohol entirely and has not returned to it since then.
The video has since generated widespread reactions on social media, with many users describing the story as humorous and relatable, while others used the moment to reflect on Osinbajo’s public image and time in government.
