The hypocrisy of church General Overseers (GOs) calling for fasting and prayers for Nigeria is a glaring contradiction that deserves critical analysis. How can we pray for a nation that God has already blessed abundantly? Nigeria is endowed with vast arable land capable of feeding its population and exporting surplus, lucrative mineral resources in enormous commercial quantities, and a youthful, creative, and industrious population—the largest in Africa. Our population, when properly harnessed, is an asset, not a liability. So, what exactly are we fasting and praying for?
God has already done His part for Nigeria. He has given us natural resources, human capital, and opportunities. The problem lies not with God but with us. We are the ones who select our leaders—leaders who perpetuate corruption, incompetence, and impunity. These are choices we made as a society, either through complacency, willful ignorance, or outright complicity. In many cases, Nigerians have turned a blind eye to the moral and ethical failings of their leaders, sometimes even accepting monetary bribes to sustain a broken system. God did not make us corrupt; that is a path we have chosen for ourselves.
Consider Ghana, which recently swore in a new president after its citizens overwhelmingly voted for change. They reached a tipping point and made a collective decision to reject poor leadership. What is stopping Nigerians from doing the same? What more do we need God to do for us when we fail to take responsibility for our governance, our society, and our future?
The GOs urging Nigerians to fast and pray for divine intervention are part of the problem. They perpetuate a cycle of poverty, false hope, and docility. By preaching about a “God of prosperity” who will reward tithes, offerings, and church contributions with miracles, they distract people from the real work required to change their circumstances. Even the poorest in society, desperate for miracles, borrow money to give offerings, pay tithes, and fund church building projects, all in the hope of divine blessings that never materialize.
Churches in Nigeria have become wealthy institutions, often amassing massive fortunes through the contributions of their congregants. For instance, data shows that the combined annual revenue of Nigeria’s largest Pentecostal churches runs into hundreds of billions of naira, while many of their members live in abject poverty. Some of these churches own private jets, sprawling estates, and universities that the average church member cannot afford to send their children to. It is a stark and painful irony.
If a congregant earns one billion naira, they are expected to pay 10%—100 million naira—as tithe. Beyond this, the church will find creative ways to extract more through “special offerings,” “thanksgiving seeds,” and various other financial schemes. By the end of the year, it’s not uncommon for the church to have taken half of that person’s wealth. Meanwhile, the individual’s financial growth stagnates, and the poverty of the larger congregation persists.
This year, Nigerians must reevaluate this system. Instead of making the churches richer, people should focus on making themselves richer. Imagine the impact if Nigerians used their tithes, offerings, and contributions to invest in education, skills acquisition, businesses, or community development. Imagine the collective progress we could achieve if we directed those resources towards improving our lives and the lives of others through acts of charity, love, and neighborliness—principles that align with God’s commandments.
The idea of a “God of prosperity” swooping in to rescue us is a dangerous fallacy. The reality is that hard work, strategic planning, and wise use of resources are what bring prosperity. Nigerians need to apply commonsense reasoning and critical thinking to every aspect of their lives. Instead of waiting for miracles, we must create opportunities for ourselves and future generations.
Poverty among the masses can be alleviated when people understand that their financial resources are better utilized for personal and communal development rather than enriching religious institutions. God will bless those who live by His principles—loving their neighbors, practicing generosity, and leading ethical lives—not those who blindly hand over their hard-earned money in the hope of a miracle.
It is time for Nigerians to break this cycle of exploitation disguised as religious devotion. Let 2025 be the year we reclaim our agency, hold ourselves accountable, and work together to build a better nation. We must recognize that while God has blessed us with resources and potential, it is up to us to use them wisely and effectively to change our story.
Hon. Chimazuru Nnadi-Oforgu
“Duruebube Uzii na Abosi”
BreakTheCycle #NigeriaRethinksFaith #StopFalseHope #EmpowerNigerians #ChurchAndPoverty #LeadershipAndAccountability #NigeriaWillRise #GodHasBlessedNigeria #InvestInYourself #NewNigeriaNow
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