Pastor Chris Ogugua has sparked widespread 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 widespread unemployment and limited economic opportunities have driven many Africans to seek financial breakthroughs through churches.
“All of this prosperity thing we are praying for is ignorance,” he said, adding that if the biblical Job lived in Africa today, “most pastors will lose their ministry.”
To illustrate his point, 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, people with access to such opportunities would have little reason to seek prayers against forces allegedly preventing their 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 created “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.
“Bring all your rich men. Only very few of them have legitimate wealth. Find out.”
