‘Show Them Your Money While Alive’ — Reno Omokri Tackles Lavish Funeral Spending

Former presidential candidate and ambassador-designate Reno Omokri

‘Show Them Your Money While Alive’ — Reno Omokri Tackles Lavish Funeral Spending

Former presidential aide and social commentator, Reno Omokri, has questioned the practice of spending huge sums of money on elaborate burial ceremonies while little or nothing is done to support people when they are alive and battling illness.

Omokri made the observation in a post on his social media account on Sunday, where he argued that resources often deployed to funeral ceremonies could instead be used to improve the quality of life and support people during periods of ill health.

He wrote, “Where is the wisdom in spending so much to throw a party for a person in a coffin, when you did not show them the power of your money when they were coughing with the ill health that killed them?”

The former presidential aide said Africans could rethink the culture of elaborate funeral celebrations, describing the burial industry as one that attracts significant financial expenditure after death.

According to him, greater emphasis should be placed on initiatives that extend people’s lives and improve their living conditions rather than concentrating resources on burial ceremonies.

“As Africans, perhaps we can do better than investing in the industry of death and burials and instead target our money at extending the lives and improving the conditions of the living and on the type of industry that expands our economy,” he stated.

His comments have reignited discussions around Nigeria’s often elaborate burial ceremonies, which in some communities involve large gatherings, expensive clothing, entertainment, food, transportation and other costly arrangements.

While elaborate funerals are deeply rooted in cultural and social traditions across many Nigerian communities, critics have increasingly questioned the financial pressure associated with such ceremonies, particularly when families struggle to meet healthcare and other basic needs while their loved ones are alive.

Omokri’s post had attracted thousands of views and reactions on social media as of Sunday evening, with users weighing in on his call for a shift in priorities from lavish burials to healthcare, welfare and economic development.