Church Leaders Share Blame for Nigeria’s Corruption – Pastor Akintunde

How Nigerian Church Leaders May Be Fueling Corruption – Pastor Akintunde Speaks Out

Victor Akintunde, Lead Pastor of Hilltop City Christian Centre in Lagos, has expressed deep concern over the role of church leaders in Nigeria’s ongoing corruption crisis, stating that some pastors have strayed from the true gospel in favor of prosperity-driven messages.

In a recent interview, Akintunde noted that the church—once seen as a moral compass—is increasingly becoming a contributor to the country’s moral decay.

“Some of the corrupt tendencies afflicting Nigeria today originated within the church. Many pastors have abandoned the teachings of Christ and now focus almost exclusively on material wealth,” he said.

Akintunde was reacting to a widely circulated video clip in which a pastor allegedly suggested that God accepts tithes sourced from cybercrime and fraud. While he admitted he hadn’t seen the video himself, he condemned the notion in strong terms.

“This obsession with wealth has replaced sound doctrine. Preaching for 30 to 40 minutes about one’s success sends the wrong message. It leads people to believe that prosperity is proof of righteousness,” he said.

The cleric warned that such teachings could distort congregants’ understanding of the gospel, leading them to view the church as a place to ease guilt rather than experience true transformation.

“When people are told that money is all that matters in ministry, they’ll bring their stolen wealth to church and believe that offering it cleanses them of wrongdoing,” he added.

When asked about the role of government in regulating churches, Akintunde acknowledged that religious organizations in Nigeria are already under the oversight of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), which requires formal registration and regular filing of annual returns.

However, he cautioned against allowing the state to dictate religious content.

“It’s not the government’s job to regulate sermons. That responsibility lies with Christian bodies,” he stated.

He urged Christian regulatory organizations—particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)—to take stronger action in monitoring and disciplining errant preachers.

“The church must return to preaching righteousness. As Scripture says, ‘Righteousness exalts a nation.’ We cannot expect societal change without first addressing the moral failings within the church,” he emphasized.

Speaking about efforts within his ministry, Pastor Akintunde highlighted the Hilltop City Christian Centre’s annual Spirit and Life Conference, which is now in its fifth year.

“Our vision is to use this conference to promote the apostolic gospel—the original teachings passed down from the early apostles,” he said.

He explained that the event spans three days and is designed not only for preaching but also for life transformation through divine encounters.

“We believe that everyone who attends with faith will experience God’s power. When the true word of God is preached, miracles follow,” he said.

Pastor Akintunde concluded with a strong call to action for church leaders across the country: “The church has a sacred role in shaping national values. We must urgently return to the foundational message of the Bible.”