From prophets selling ‘miracle products’ and promising divine breakthroughs to Islamic clerics allegedly collecting millions for spiritual rites, Nigerians seeking solutions to their financial, health and personal troubles are increasingly falling victim to religious exploitation that has become a lucrative venture, VICTOR AYENI investigates
When Oluremi Sokoya (not her real name) indicated to members of her church in the middle of June 2023 that she was no longer returning to them, it sent shockwaves through the people who knew her.
Sokoya, an entrepreneur, had been a member of the church for more than a year and had been working as part of the protocol team for the pastor of the Pentecostal church in Ikorodu, Lagos.
According to the 28-year-old, she joined the church in January 2022 and was quickly noticed by the pastor, who was in his late 40s, because of the size of her tithes and offerings.
“He called me one service and said he noticed I gave well to the Lord and encouraged me to continue, saying that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. That was when it began.
