FAME-SEEKING AND ITS CONSEQUENCES AMONG CHRISTIAN YOUTHS IN NIGERIAN MUSICAL DRAMA: A STUDY OF DAMILOLA MIKE-BAMILOYE’S UNDER SIEGE

Abstract

The growing appeal of celebrity culture and the rise of digital platforms have reshaped how many Christian youths in Nigeria perceive success, visibility, and ministry. This study critically examines the phenomenon of fame-seeking among Christian youths, using Damilola Mike-Bamiloye’s musical film Under Siege as a primary case study. Through a detailed thematic analysis of the film's plot, character development, and dialogue, the study explores the tensions between divine calling and the desire for secular recognition. It highlights how unresolved emotional needs, lack of affirmation within family and church structures, and peer validation contribute to a distorted pursuit of fame. Characters such as Kolade and Timi reflect real-life struggles where spiritual commitment is often weighed against the allure of popularity and industry success. Drawing on supporting literature and empirical insights, the paper reveals how fame, when sought outside of purpose and spiritual grounding, leads to moral compromise, spiritual disconnection, and psychological emptiness. The findings further expose the inadequacy of rigid institutional responses, the absence of significance mentorship, and the generational disconnect that often silence the aspirations of gifted youths. The study concludes with a call for a more inclusive theology of creativity, intentional engagement by church leadership, and the use of redemptive storytelling in Christian media to shape values, identity, and purpose among the youth. By situating Under Siege within the wider discourse of media, faith, and youth identity, the research offers both critical insight and practical recommendations for church and cultural stakeholders.