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Many African Pastors Would Lose Their Churches if Enough Jobs Existed – Pastor Chris

Published

3 months ago

July 1, 2026

Pastor Chris Ogugua

Many African Pastors Would Lose Their Churches if Enough Jobs Existed – Pastor Chris

Nigerian cleric Pastor Chris Ogugua has sparked widespread reactions after claiming that many pastors across Africa would lose a significant portion of their congregations if the continent had enough employment opportunities and stronger economic systems.

Speaking during a sermon that has since gone viral on social media, the preacher argued that the popularity of prosperity preaching in many African countries is fueled largely by unemployment, poverty and limited economic opportunities rather than by spiritual conviction alone.

According to Ogugua, millions of Africans turn to churches seeking financial breakthroughs because they struggle to secure stable sources of income and economic security.

“All of this prosperity thing we are praying for is ignorance,” the cleric said, adding that if the biblical Job were alive in present-day Africa, “most pastors will lose their ministry.”

The pastor maintained that in countries with stronger economies, young people often have access to part-time jobs and legitimate income opportunities from an early age, reducing their dependence on religious promises of financial miracles.

To illustrate his point, Ogugua shared the example of his 13-year-old daughter, saying that in some developed countries she could earn about £20 per hour by walking dogs while still attending school.

“If my daughter wakes up in the morning and says, ‘Can I walk your dog?’ Every one hour is £20. So my daughter of 13 years can make close to ₦2 million every month and still be a student,” he said.

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He argued that a teenager with such earning opportunities would have little reason to seek prayers against spiritual forces allegedly hindering prosperity.

“When it comes to church and you’re asking them, ‘Pray for the witches against your prosperity,’ she’ll be watching you,” he added.

Ogugua further criticised what he described as Africa’s version of Christianity, alleging that many churches have shifted their focus from the core message of the Christian faith to the pursuit of wealth and material success.

According to him, prosperity has become a product that many religious leaders market because there is a ready audience facing severe economic hardship.

“We have created our own brand of Christianity in Africa. We are selling it, and people are buying it,” he said.

The cleric also questioned the sources of wealth of some affluent individuals, arguing that only a small percentage amassed their fortunes through legitimate means.

“Bring all your rich men. Only very few of them have legitimate wealth. Find out,” he stated.

His comments have generated mixed reactions across social media, with some users agreeing that unemployment and poverty have contributed to the popularity of prosperity preaching, while others argued that many people attend church primarily because of their faith, personal convictions and desire for spiritual growth.

The remarks come as several African countries, including Nigeria, continue to grapple with high unemployment, rising inflation and increasing living costs. Economists have repeatedly identified job creation, skills development and private sector growth as essential to reducing poverty and improving living standards.

While prosperity gospel remains a prominent teaching in some Pentecostal churches, Christianity across Africa encompasses a wide range of traditions and theological perspectives. Many churches focus on discipleship, community development, education, healthcare and humanitarian outreach alongside spiritual teachings.

Ogugua’s remarks have reignited conversations about the relationship between faith, economic hardship and the role of religious institutions in societies facing persistent unemployment and poverty.

Many African Pastors Would Lose Their Churches if Enough Jobs Existed – Pastor Chris

Related Topics:African Pastors churches jobs

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Trump Denies Offering Iran Sanctions Relief, Release of Frozen Funds

Published

6 hours ago

September 29, 2026

Trends Admin

President Donald Trump winks as the members of the media depart the Oval Office of the White House as Essar Capital Director Prashant Ruia, from left, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, John Jovanovic, chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa., and Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, look on, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump Denies Offering Iran Sanctions Relief, Release of Frozen Funds

US President Donald Trump has denied reports that he offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for concrete concessions on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Trump rejected the reports on Monday, describing them as false after Axios reported, citing unnamed US officials, that his administration was willing to provide sanctions relief and release Iranian funds as part of a potential deal.

“This is untrue. I offered them NOTHING,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

CNN separately reported, also citing an unidentified US official, that Trump was prepared to offer similar concessions if Iran demonstrated concrete progress on the nuclear issue.

The conflicting reports emerged as US and Iranian officials engaged separately with mediators in a renewed diplomatic effort aimed at ending the seven-month conflict between Washington and Tehran.

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran is prepared to negotiate over its nuclear programme and other issues but would not accept what he described as pressure or coercion.

Iran maintains that it is not seeking nuclear weapons and insists it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also said that diplomacy remains the route to resolving the conflict, while Tehran has linked any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to the fulfilment of conditions under discussion with mediators.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a major issue in the negotiations because it is a crucial route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Disruptions linked to the conflict have contributed to higher energy prices and increased concerns about global supplies.

Trump had rejected an earlier Iranian proposal concerning the reopening of the waterway, while Araghchi said Tehran was awaiting a formal response through mediators.

The latest disagreement over the reported sanctions offer adds uncertainty to the diplomatic efforts, with Washington and Tehran yet to announce a final agreement on the nuclear programme or the broader conflict.

Trump Denies Offering Iran Sanctions Relief, Release of Frozen Funds

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Federal Workers Back N500 Petrol Demand, Threaten Three-Day Warning Strike

Published

6 hours ago

September 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Federal Workers Back N500 Petrol Demand, Threaten Three-Day Warning Strike

Federal workers have backed the demand by organised labour for a reduction in the pump price of petrol to N500 per litre, warning that they will join a proposed three-day warning strike if the Federal Government fails to address their concerns.

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) announced its position in a communiqué issued on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, after an online general meeting of federal workers held on Sunday.

The workers said they unanimously supported the call by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) for the Federal Government to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to N500 per litre.

The JNPSNC had given the Federal Government until September 30, 2026, to respond to its demands, which include a reduction in petrol prices, an immediate wage award and a review of salaries and allowances across the public service.

The Federal Workers Forum said its members were prepared to participate in the proposed three-day warning strike if the government failed to act.

The group also called for any reduction in petrol prices to be reflected in the prices of kerosene, diesel and cooking gas, arguing that high energy costs were contributing to the wider cost-of-living crisis.

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The workers said the current price of petrol was placing additional pressure on households through higher transportation, food and other living costs.

They also backed labour’s demand for an immediate Wage Award, which they said should be converted into a reasonable Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to provide continuing relief to workers.

The forum argued that workers’ incomes had been eroded by rising prices and called for urgent measures to restore their purchasing power.

Beyond the immediate wage relief, organised public-sector workers are seeking the commencement of negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage ahead of January 2027.

The JNPSNC has proposed a minimum monthly salary of N500,000 for an officer on Grade Level 01, Step 1 under the proposed 2027 salary structure.

The council also wants salaries and allowances across federal, state and local government services to be harmonised and periodically reviewed in line with inflation.

The Federal Workers Forum had previously called for an upward review of the current N70,000 minimum wage, saying rising food, fuel, transportation and housing costs had reduced its purchasing power.

The workers also criticised reliance on food palliatives as a response to the economic hardship, arguing that a reduction in petrol prices would have a wider impact because transportation and the cost of moving goods are closely linked to fuel costs.

The forum urged Nigerians to support organised labour’s campaign for lower petrol prices and said federal workers should mobilise for any industrial action approved by labour leadership.

The group further backed proposals for greater use of Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity, including making crude oil available to local refineries in naira and expanding national petroleum storage capacity.

It said such measures could strengthen energy security, create economic value and reduce the country’s exposure to fluctuations in international oil prices.

The latest position by federal workers adds pressure to an already tense labour-government relationship as the September 30 deadline approaches.

However, the workers’ statement does not mean that a nationwide strike has already commenced. Their commitment is to participate in the proposed three-day warning strike if the labour leadership calls the action and the government fails to address the outstanding demands.

The Federal Workers Forum also expressed hope that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would address the concerns in his forthcoming Independence Day broadcast.

The government’s response to the workers’ demands, particularly on petrol prices, wage relief and negotiations for a new minimum wage, is expected to determine the next steps by organised labour.

Federal Workers Back N500 Petrol Demand, Threaten Three-Day Warning Strike

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Hamzat Clarifies Lagos Traffic ‘Lifestyle’ Remark After Backlash

Published

6 hours ago

September 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat

Hamzat Clarifies Lagos Traffic ‘Lifestyle’ Remark After Backlash

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has clarified his controversial description of Lagos traffic as a “lifestyle”, saying the remark was taken out of context and was not intended as an endorsement of persistent gridlock.

Hamzat made the original comment while speaking at Podfest Naija 2026, where he discussed storytelling, the creative industry and how Lagos residents consume digital content during their daily journeys.

Using the experience of commuters on the Third Mainland Bridge as an example, Hamzat said traffic had become part of everyday life in Lagos. He also linked the long hours residents spend commuting to the growing consumption of podcasts, music, films and other digital content.

He specifically referred to journeys between Ojota and Obalende, suggesting that many Lagos residents listen to podcast episodes and consume other creative content while travelling through the city’s heavily congested roads.

The remarks generated criticism on social media, with some people interpreting the “lifestyle” description as an indication that the Lagos State Government considered traffic congestion a normal condition that residents should accept.

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Hamzat subsequently addressed the controversy, explaining that he was speaking about the relationship between Lagos traffic and the creative industry, rather than discussing the causes of congestion, road design or suggesting that traffic should be regarded as desirable.

He also questioned how his remarks had been connected to separate criticisms of the state’s traffic situation.

Hamzat said he decided to clarify the remarks after seeing how excerpts from his speech were interpreted on social media.

The controversy has nevertheless renewed discussion about the impact of Lagos traffic congestion on commuters, businesses and productivity.

Lagos remains one of Nigeria’s busiest urban centres, with long commuting times forming part of the daily experience for many residents, particularly along major routes during peak periods.

The deputy governor’s remarks also highlighted the opportunities created by the city’s large and diverse audience for podcasters, filmmakers, musicians, writers and other content creators.

His argument was that the time residents spend travelling has contributed to increased consumption of creative content, creating opportunities for the industry to reach audiences during daily commutes.

The Lagos State Government has continued to promote investments in rail transportation, waterways, road construction, junction improvements and intelligent traffic management as part of efforts to improve mobility across the state.

The debate has therefore shifted beyond the wording of Hamzat’s “lifestyle” remark to broader questions about Lagos traffic, urban mobility and the challenges faced by residents who spend significant time commuting.