NIGERIA'S MILLIONAIRE PREACHERS

Nigeria's Millionaire Preachers

Radio Times
Review by:
Jane Rackham

Radio Times
Review by:
Jane Rackham

In Nigeria, evangelical pastors such as Dr Sign Fireman are treated like rock gods. They drive flash cars, wear even flashier clothes and have cash thrown at them by their adoring congregations, who believe that giving the church a tenth of their earnings guarantees prosperity. Preachers flaunting their wealth equates to godliness in this society.

Seyi Rhodes attends a service to observe the exorcisms, miracles (“It would be funny if it wasn’t taken so deadly seriously”) and excessive donations that these preachers accrue before bravely challenging them. Of course, it’s all about business and there’s no denying the pastors are brilliant at marketing.
ABOUT THIS PROGRAMME

Religion has become big business in Nigeria, with preachers performing alleged exorcisms and providing miracle cures while their congregations pay handsomely for the experience. Reporter Seyi Rhodes sees a pastor at work at a church in Lagos, speaks to worshippers who believe good fortune will be bestowed on them for their financial contributions, and hears a troubling account of the new churches from a local journalist who has been researching them for five years.