Popular Nigerian streamer and skit maker Carter Efe has disclosed that advice from fellow entertainer Sydney Talker played a pivotal role in his decision to abandon regular church attendance.
Speaking on a recent episode of “The Honest Bunch” podcast, Efe described Talker’s counsel as “malicious,” claiming it shattered his perception of devout Christians and exposed what he sees as hypocrisy among churchgoers.
Efe, whose real name is Oderhohwo Joseph Efe, recounted his journey from depression amid the declining popularity of skit-making to finding renewed purpose through live streaming. “I knew skit-making was about to die. I was depressed for months in my house,” he shared, explaining that the shift to streaming not only revived his career but also pulled him out of a dark emotional state. However, this success was nearly derailed, according to Efe, by Talker’s unsolicited interventions.
The crux of Efe’s grievances centers on two pieces of advice from Talker, whom Efe once admired as a committed Christian. First, Talker allegedly urged Efe to quit streaming just as his platform was gaining traction. “I was surprised by his advice because I was beginning to gain traction and then suddenly he advised me to stop. What reason would you have to tell me to calm down? It seemed malicious to me,” Efe stated.
Second, Talker reportedly advised Efe to sever ties with his streaming partner, Kolu, by offering him just one million naira (approximately $600 USD at current rates) and sending him away. The rationale? Fear that Kolu’s former boss, controversial musician Portable (Habeeb Okikiola), possessed “juju” (a term for supernatural charms or voodoo in Nigerian slang) that could harm Efe.
This revelation has added fuel to ongoing speculation about the duo’s relationship, which has shown signs of strain in recent years. Efe emphasized Talker’s religious devotion, noting that Talker maintains a dedicated altar in his home—a private prayer room where “everything Sydney does is about Jesus.” Yet, Efe questioned how such a fervent churchgoer could fear juju or dispense advice that appeared self-serving. “Sydney Talker is a church person, but I no know the angel who told him to tell me to stop streaming,” Efe quipped in a viral clip, highlighting what he perceives as a contradiction.
The impact of this advice extended beyond Efe’s career; it eroded his trust in organized religion. “I used to go to church, but I stopped because I noticed that a lot of churchgoers are very malicious,” he explained. “For example, Sydney Talker goes to church consistently, yet he advised me to quit streaming. I see that as malicious advice.” Instead of heeding the suggestion to part ways with Kolu, Efe doubled down on their partnership, declaring Kolu his “best friend” and crediting their collaboration for his streaming breakthrough.
In a December 2025 open letter, Talker acknowledged discouraging Efe from streaming initially, admitting, “I was one of the people who discouraged him from streaming, but in the end, you pour spit for my face.” In that statement, Talker celebrated Efe’s success and encouraged other struggling skit makers to adapt to new trends like streaming, framing his earlier advice as well-intentioned but ultimately proven wrong by Efe’s achievements.
Social media reactions have been swift and divided. On X (formerly Twitter), users have debated the implications of Efe’s claims, with some praising his resilience—”Carter Efe ignored Sydney Talker’s advice, and now he’s topping Africa’s streaming scene,” one post noted—while others defended Talker, suggesting his concerns about Portable stemmed from genuine caution amid the musician’s notorious feuds.
Comments ranged from humorous takes on male rivalries—”So men don’t like themselves”—to “calls for spiritual reflection,” with one user urging, “Life is spiritual… go closer to your faith.”
Efe’s story also highlights broader themes of mental health, faith, and interpersonal trust in the high-stakes world of content creation. As the conversation unfolds online, industry watchers await any further statements from Talker, who has previously positioned himself as a mentor figure in the skit-making community.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Carter Efe has revealed that a single piece of seemingly malicious advice from someone he viewed as a dedicated Christian—Sydney Talker—shattered his trust in churchgoers and led him to stop attending church entirely.
