Name: Originally named Mohammed Ajirobatan Ibrahim.
Popular Name: Satguru Maharaj Ji (sometimes spelled Maraji Ji).
Birth: He was born in Oyo State, Nigeria, in 1947.
Religious Identity: Founder of a religious/spiritual movement known as One Love Family.
He refers to himself as the “Living Perfect Master” or the “Satguru” (a term from Indian spirituality meaning “true teacher/master”).
RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT & BELIEFS
Foundation: Maharaj Ji established his movement in Nigeria in 1980 after reportedly having a spiritual experience in London.
One Love Family: His religious commune, based at Ibadan–Lagos Expressway (called “Satguru Maharaj Ji Village”), serves as the headquarters of his movement.
Core Teachings:
1. Emphasis on love, peace, and spiritual enlightenment.
2. Belief that God is a living entity and manifests in the Satguru (himself).
3. Advocates for self-reliance, discipline, and respect for African spiritual traditions.
4. Rejects Western religious dominance (Christianity and Islam) and promotes African identity and spirituality.
His followers call him the “Living Master” and believe he has the power to grant salvation.
PRACTICES
Members live communally, following strict rules such as vegetarianism, abstinence from alcohol, smoking, and promiscuity.
They engage in meditation, chanting, and communal prayers.
They wear mostly white attire, symbolizing purity.
His devotees regard him as infallible and see him as the ultimate source of truth and spiritual power.
PUBLIC PERCEPTION & CONTROVERSY
Criticism: Many Nigerians consider his teachings heretical or cult-like, especially within the dominant Christian and Islamic religious landscape.
Media Attention: He has been linked with several controversies, including accusations of brainwashing, cultism, and political manipulation.
Defenses: He maintains that he preaches only truth, peace, and African liberation from colonial and foreign religious domination.
POLITICAL AND SOCIAL INFLUENCE
Maharaj Ji has consistently commented on Nigerian politics and leadership, often predicting outcomes of elections or crises.
He positions himself as a prophet-like figure who can guide the country spiritually and morally.
His commune has occasionally been raided by government forces in the past, but he continues to maintain his following.
LEGACY AND SIGNIFICANCE
Despite controversies, Satguru Maharaj Ji remains a prominent figure in Nigeria’s religious landscape.
He represents a blend of Indian-inspired spiritual titles with African traditionalist revivalism.
His movement is often studied as part of new religious movements in Africa, especially those challenging foreign religions and reasserting African spiritual identity.
