Nollywood actor Yemi Solade has recounted a startling experience from his student days, alleging that he was recruited and paid to pose as a cripple during a staged church miracle.

Solade made the revelation during an interview with Feel Right News TV published on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, while discussing an experience he said occurred before he became a recognised actor.

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The veteran actor said he was approached while he was still a student and asked to play the role of a physically disabled person during a church service.

According to Solade, he accepted the offer and was paid for participating in the alleged staged healing.

“I have been used for miracle then, when I was not popular, I acted as a cripple, they paid, I used the money to drink then I was a student,” he said.

Solade said the individuals involved in the alleged incident are still alive but declined to identify them publicly.

“The people involved are still alive; I don’t just want to mention names,” he added.

The revelation provides a striking glimpse into an experience the actor says took place long before his rise in the Nigerian film industry.

Solade’s account has also renewed attention around his recent comments about his relationship with organised religion and his decision to stop attending church.

While he did not name the church or individuals allegedly involved in the incident, his account raises serious questions about the use of staged performances in religious settings and the impact such practices can have on public trust.

The actor has enjoyed a long career in Nollywood, appearing in numerous Nigerian films and television productions.

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His latest comments have now added an unexpected chapter to his personal account of the entertainment and religious experiences that shaped his early life.