Pastor Chris Ogugua has stirred debate after claiming that many churches built around prosperity preaching would struggle to survive if Africa had enough employment opportunities.
Speaking during a sermon, the cleric argued that many Africans turn to churches for financial breakthroughs because of widespread unemployment and limited economic opportunities.
“All of this prosperity thing we are praying for is ignorance,” he said, adding that if the biblical Job came to Africa today, “most pastors will lose their ministry.”
To support his argument, Ogugua shared the example of his 13-year-old daughter, saying she could earn £20 per hour by walking dogs abroad.
“If my daughter wakes up in the morning and says, ‘You’re going to work. Can I walk out 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.
According to him, someone with such earning opportunities would find little reason to seek prayers against forces allegedly blocking prosperity.
“When it comes to church and you’re asking them, ‘Pray for the witches against your prosperity,’ she’ll be watching you,” he said.
Ogugua further argued that Africa has developed “its own brand of faith” centred on prosperity, saying, “We are selling it, and people are buying it.”
He concluded by questioning the source of wealth among many affluent individuals, stating, “Bring all your rich men. Only very few of them have legitimate wealth. Find out.”
