A viral testimony by Nigerian chef and entrepreneur Hilda Baci has sparked debate among young Nigerians on social media over the messaging and presentation of modern Christian prayer events ahead of the Next Level Prayers (NLP) 2026 conference scheduled for March 13 at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.

The discussion, which played out largely on the social media platform X, highlights growing conversations about how faith-based movements communicate with young audiences and the influence of celebrity testimonies in promoting religious gatherings.

The debate began after a video circulated online showing Baci sharing her personal experience with Harvesters International Christian Centre, the church organising the Next Level Prayers conference.

In the video, the Guinness World Record holder spoke about her faith journey and how joining the church coincided with significant opportunities in her professional life.

“Honestly prayer works. I am a successful businesswoman and three-time Guinness World Record holder. Not long after I joined Harvesters, my life took a U-turn, unusual doors opened,” she said in the widely shared clip.

The testimony generated a wide range of reactions online. While some users discussed the growing role of well-known public figures in promoting faith-based events, others defended the testimony as a personal expression of belief.

Some commentators observed that religious events today often gain wider attention when shared by prominent personalities on social media platforms.

Others focused on the presentation style of testimonies shared online. One influencer suggested that a more animated delivery might have generated stronger audience engagement, referencing Nigerian fashion entrepreneur Veekee James in the discussion.

The comment prompted thousands of reposts and replies, broadening the conversation into a wider discussion about authenticity, presentation styles and the role of public personalities in faith-related events.

Supporters of Baci said personal testimonies should be respected as individual experiences of faith.

“She spoke her truth. Not everyone needs to shout to be convincing,” one user wrote.

Observers say the online exchanges reflect the increasing intersection of religion, celebrity culture and digital influence in Nigeria’s faith landscape, with religious organisations using social media platforms to reach wider audiences.

Despite differing views, the online debate has drawn additional attention to the upcoming conference, with several hashtags linked to the event trending on social media.

Organisers of the Next Level Prayers conference have not publicly responded to the discussions. However, the conversation online has heightened public awareness of the event as preparations continue for the gathering at Tafawa Balewa Square.