My Childhood Name Was Samuel; My Mother Was a Christian; I Later Became Muhammad, a Muslim—Ndume

During an interview on Channels Television on Friday, July 10, 2026, Senator Ali Ndume revealed that he was named Samuel as a child because he was raised by his Christian mother before later adopting the name Muhammad after embracing Islam.

The senator made the disclosure while reflecting on his family background and religious upbringing. He explained that his mother remained a Christian throughout her life, while he eventually became a Muslim, a faith he continues to practice.

Ndume said his upbringing exposed him to both Christian and Muslim backgrounds, noting that his mother never converted from Christianity before her death.

According to him, “Samuel was my name when I was a kid, when I was with my mom. My mom was a Christian; she died a Christian. I grew up as Samuel, and then I became Muhammad, a Muslim to date.”

The senator offered a personal account of his early life and religious journey, highlighting the different faith traditions within his family. He did not indicate any conflict over the transition, presenting it as part of his personal life story....