Nigeria’s Silent Pulpits: Why Is Pastor Oyemade Vibrant On Needless Fallacies?
A leading figure in Nigeria, Pastor Poju Oyemade recently declares Nigeria as a land of opportunities where good cometh —comparing Nigeria to the U.S.A. While it will be ungrateful to deny the fact that God has blessed Nigeria, however, it will be fair to say Pastor Poju doesn’t understand his terrain. Without a shadow of doubt, it is ironic how many things Pastor Poju Oyemade got wrong in his message that compares realities between Nigeria and the USA. Most of the blowback to the respected pastor focuses on the controversial claim that Nigerian doctors are trained with a mere N500,000, but his sermon contains the same fallacious claims Nigerian leaders make when they relativise their country with advanced economies. It is one thing for the average talker on social media to construe subsidised medical education as a government charity to doctors, but it is another thing when a cleric repeats it. How come those who mouth these things never stop to ask why the government at the state and federal levels chooses to subsidise rather than demand full monetary value?
Meanwhile, while the major focus of this piece is not attack his opinion on the country, it Is however minding blowing how the Pastor Poju Oyemade has decided to address the recent persecution of Christians in Nigeria, with the number of Christian fatalities soring high daily like price of the premium motor spirit otherwise known as petrol.
As we continue to reflect on the crucifixion, death and the resurrection of Christ, we should spare a thought for our coreligionists who are in dire straits. In recent weeks, Nigeria has witnessed yet another wave of brutal massacres targeting Christian communities. Whatever the distant reasons for the violence, whether it is climate change or lack of access to justice, are irrelevant. What is relevant is that villages have been raided, worshippers slaughtered, and families displaced — all while the country’s most prominent Christian leaders especially Oyemade pastor remain disturbingly silent. Aside from a few voices like Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Bishop David Oyedepo and Pastor Paul Enenche, who have consistently and repeatedly talked about the violence, the majority of Nigeria’s mega pastors not leaving out Pastor Oyemade have largely refused to publicly condemn these atrocities or stand in solidarity with their suffering brethren.
This silence is not just a failure of leadership — it is a betrayal. While Nigerian pastors remain quiet, churches in the West are holding vigils and praying for Nigeria’s persecuted Christians. When a Christian farmer in Adamawa was wrongfully sentenced to death for defending himself against attackers, it was a foreign pastor — not any of Nigeria’s high-profile clergymen — who spoke up and fought for his justice. Where were our own spiritual leaders?
The contrast with Nigeria’s Muslim community is glaring. When 16 Muslims were killed in Uromi, Edo State, Islamic leaders immediately condemned the attack, demanded justice, and mobilised support. Their swift, unified response showed their followers that their lives mattered. Yet, when Christians are slaughtered, the silence from many pulpits is deafening.
READ ALSO: Silence Of The Saints, Detriment Of The Citizens: A Call To Action For Nigerian Pastors
If this silence continues, Christianity in Nigeria will not die from persecution— it will die from neglect. When pastor Oyemade fail to defend their flock, when he refuses to speak against injustice, he sends a message that faith is powerless in the face of evil. Persecuted believers will begin to seek refuge among those who at least show them solidarity, even if it means abandoning Christianity altogether.
The church must wake up. Nigerian pastors including Pastor Oyemade must use their influence to demand justice, protect the oppressed, and provide real support — not just empty platitudes or needless message about the country. If they remain silent now, they will have no moral authority left. The time to act is before it’s too late.
