Inside Nigerian churches where pastors impoverish members, live in opulence

For months, I went undercover, attending services at various Nigerian churches, from mega-churches to smaller congregations. My mission was to uncover the truth behind the lavish lifestyles of some pastors and the exploitation of their members.

At the first glance, Prosperity Palace Gospel Church seemed like a beacon of hope. The sleek, modern architecture and impeccably dressed congregation exuded success. However, as I listened to Bishop Emmanuel’s sermon, I noticed a recurring theme: Giving.

“God wants you to sow seeds of faith,” he declared, “and in return, He will bless you with abundance! Your financial struggles will vanish, your businesses will flourish, and your health will be restored!”

As the offering baskets circulated, I watched as worshippers emptied their pockets, some even taking loans on their phones to give. Meanwhile, Bishop Emmanuel flaunted his diamond-encrusted wristwatch and designer suit.

After the service, I approached a church member, who shared that they were struggling financially but felt pressured to give.

“We’re told that if we don’t give generously, God won’t bless us,” they confessed.

“The pastor says we must show our faith through our giving.”

I discovered that Bishop Emmanuel’s net-worth was estimated to be in the millions, with a portfolio of luxury properties and businesses. His congregation, however, struggled to make ends meet.

The soul’s apex ritual

In May 2020, during COVID-19 lockdown, Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel), introduced Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code to enable members make online payments of offerings and tithes, as services are largely held online due to the pandemic coronavirus.

This investigation recalls that business activities were shut down across the world to curtail the spread of the dreaded virus that ravaged the world at large.

In March 2020, Nigeria implemented a sweeping quarantine for three major states that are home to almost 30 million people in a bid to slow the spread of the new coronavirus in Africa’s most populous country.

The total lockdown of the country was announced in April of the same year after the virus spread across the country.

An online post in reaction to the new USSD reads, “New USSD for offering and Tithe in Winners Chapel. See How Much I Paid. *389*30*1# for all networks. This is Oyedepo’s contribution to fight COVID-19. See how much I just wired as my tithe.

“We always think politicians are the worst people in Nigeria but Covid 19 has exposed these. While politicians are soliciting for fund for Nigerians, these pastors are thinking of how to empty us at this trying time.”

Another post reads, “Why should this be the priority of a church at this time of public health emergency?”

According to another critic, “This is gross insensitivity and desperation on the part of Winners’ Chapel. Instead of looking out for the welfare of thousands of their church members who are struggling to survive and eat at this critical period, the church is only concerned about how to further milk its malnourished members for tithes and donations…

“The judgement of God will be heavy and severe on Nigerian pastors. Is it too much for our mega-rich pastors to sell their private jets and donate the money to COVID-19 emergency funds? Is it too much to temporarily convert the exotic church buildings to isolation centres?

“The people I pity most are the gullible church members who cannot even afford to pay the exorbitant fees these churches are charging in their schools. Religion is not the major problem of Nigeria. The major problem is that Nigerians are very much gullible. The so-called GOs (General Overseers) are smiling to the banks. Jesus was never like that. He lived a very humble life.”

Glitter but poverty in faith haven

Faith Haven’s sprawling compound boasted multiple mansions, allegedly owned by Apostle James. During the service, he touted his latest private jet acquisition as a “blessing from God.”

“This is what happens when you trust in the Lord!” Apostle James exclaimed. “He will lift you up, and you will soar on eagles’ wings!”

As I observed the congregation, I noticed a disproportionate number of young women, some with visible signs of poverty. They were encouraged to “sow seeds” for Apostle James’ “ministry expansion.”

A former member revealed that Apostle James would often demand expensive gifts from his followers, claiming it was “proof of their faith.”

“He would say, ‘If you want to be blessed, you must bless me first,'” they recalled. “We were made to believe that our salvation depended on our generosity.”

Divine destitution harvest

Divine Harvest’s services resembled a theatrical production, complete with flashy lights and a live band. Prophet Williams proclaimed, “Your financial struggles are over! Give to God, and He’ll give back tenfold!”

As the congregation eagerly gave, I spotted Prophet Williams’s entourage of luxury cars parked outside.

A current member shared that they were struggling to pay rent but felt obligated to give.

“We’re told that if we don’t give, we’re not true Christians,” they said, tears welling up. “The pastor says we must trust in God’s provision, but it feels like we’re trusting in the pastor’s provision.”

Pattern of exploitation

Through this investigation, AllNews identified a disturbing pattern in using God’s name — emphasis on giving and tithing, often with threats of divine retribution for non-compliance. They put pressure on members to prioritise giving over basic needs — Manipulate vulnerable members, particularly women and the poor — Lack of transparency in church finances and lavish lifestyles of pastors, funded by congregation members.

Since the launching of USSD code by Bishop Oyedepo in 2020, many churches have launched their online payment pattern to collect donations from members while the welfare of members became none of their concern but to God.

Checks by AllNews to Remita, an online payment gateway in Nigeria sighted hundreds of churches in the payment platforms.

Months into the total lockdown, Church leaders, such as Bishop Oyedepo in Lagos, are agitating for the reopening of churches. Oyedepo is the founder of the Living Faith Church, one of the largest evangelical megachurches in Nigeria.

Bishop Oyedepo uses his services and prayer sessions, which are now run online, mostly to voice demands for the reopening of churches.

In his habitual colourful style, Oyedepo calls the shutdown an attempt to cripple Christianity.

“The church is God’s banquet hall where we are fed with spiritual food to keep us alive and strong. So whatever stops the church from fellowshipping [sic] is out to destroy what God is building,” he said.

“There must be a devil behind it. It is not virus, it is demon, there is a demon at work behind the scene, I told you in the morning I can smell a rat.”

Samson Gabriel, A member of Living Assembly Church of God said “I have my own reservation about this tithing thing. And I haven’t been paying tithes to church. I do outreach to widows, orphans, jobless, the downtrodden.”

Also, speaking with AllNews, Daniel Adegbenga who prefers not to mention the name of his church while answering questions on how funds are solicited in his church through offerings and tithes. “Sometimes via voluntary donations,” said he pays the donations “because the church needs finances to be able to function effectively.”

He continued that, “offerings are taken during every service (twice or three times a week).” Adegenga answered “No, I don’t” when asked if he felt it compelling to donate to church or the needy?” he, however, said, “nothing happens to the individual if he or she doesn’t pay offerings and tithes”.

When asked if he paid any donations to church during the pandemic, Adegbega quickly answered “I didn’t pay offerings and tithes during the pandemic”.

A member of an old-generation church, Mabel Adeshewa noted that “donation is from the mind and not by force” and continued that “People are called upon to support”. According to her, she understands that “an organisation without money cannot grow.”

The psychology of control

Experts suggest that these prosperity churches employ tactics akin to cults, using emotional manipulation and social pressure to control members.

“Pastors use fear, guilt, and shame to keep their followers in line,” explained Dr. Tunde Olatinwo, a psychologist.

“They create a sense of dependency, making members to believe their salvation and success depend on the pastor’s blessings.”

Speaking on the consequences of the exploitations, Dr Olatinwo noted, “that the consequences of this exploitation are devastating. According to him, this includes, “financial ruin, a situation whereby members sacrifice their life savings, plunging into debt and poverty.

“The emotional trauma is another one. the pressure to give and perform leads to anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy and spiritual manipulation where the focus on material wealth corrupts the true message of Christianity.

Recommending the action to the solution to this religion fraud, he said “it’s time for accountability. Church members must demand transparency and financial accountability from their leaders while regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies must investigate these churches and hold perpetrators accountable.”