Most Nigerian Pastors Struggle Financially — Bishop Adeoye Reveals

Osun-based cleric Bishop Seun Adeoye has disclosed that most Nigerian pastors are facing financial difficulties, challenging the popular belief that clergy generally live affluent lives.

Adeoye stated that fewer than two per cent of pastors in the country could be described as wealthy, noting that the prevailing public perception has placed undue pressure and suspicion on Christian ministers.

The cleric made this revelation in Okinni on Sunday during the unveiling of his ministry’s 2026 watchword before church members and guests gathered for the event.

Adeoye, who also serves as the Acting Nuncio of the World Bishops Council in Africa and the International Communications Director of the Worldwide Anglican Church, described the assumption that pastors are rich as misleading.

He said, “It is an erroneous belief and a satanic attack on the Church to assume that all pastors are rich because of tithes and offerings.”

According to him, while some pastors in Nigeria are indeed wealthy, they represent a very small fraction of the clergy nationwide.

“Yes, it is true that some men of God in Nigeria are very rich, but they are less than two per cent. The fact is that their sources of possessions may not necessarily be through the collection of tithes and offerings,” he said.

Adeoye alleged that many affluent church leaders had become disconnected from less privileged ministers across the country.

“Unfortunately, these wealthy General Overseers and pastors have built tall walls around themselves, publicly showcasing their affluence but ignoring the cries of ministers of God struggling for survival.

“We have seen a situation where millions of Naira were donated to a university zoo to feed animals when tens of thousands of genuine men of God and their families were dying of hunger,” he said.

Addressing wealthy pastors directly, Adeoye urged them to extend support to struggling colleagues, saying, “When you are raised up by God’s grace, you should look down and lend helping hands to others in need. That is the character of Jesus Christ.”

He also referenced the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, adding, “Let our wealthy folks read again the story in Luke 10:30–35 and ask themselves how many pastors they have helped outside their ministries.”

Adeoye also urged Nigerians to prepare for 2026 as a year of “Forward Movement” and called on Christians to expect God’s blessings in the coming year.