NIGERIA: Reno Omokri Faults Nigerias’ Double Standards on Taxes And Tithes

By Utebor Paul, Nigeria

Nigerian Former Presidential aide and social commentator, Reno Omokri, has criticised Nigerians for what he described as a double standard in their attitudes toward paying taxes and tithes.

In a statement shared on social media, Omokri questioned why many Nigerians demand accountability from the government but fail to demand the same from their pastors and churches.

Omokri noted that while Nigerians willingly pay tithes to their pastors without expecting a breakdown of how the funds are utilised, they often refuse to pay taxes to the government yet demand full transparency and service delivery.

He challenged churchgoers to ask their pastors or General Overseers (GOs) for financial statements detailing how tithes and offerings are spent, arguing that most Pentecostal churches do not provide such disclosures.

“A few churches, like ECWA and the Anglican Church, provide account statements, but the vast majority of Pentecostal churches do not,” he said. He criticized lavish displays of wealth by some church leaders, referencing private jets and luxury cars, while congregants remain unquestioning.

Omokri specifically targeted Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre and his wife, Becky, accusing them of using fear tactics to compel members to pay tithes.

He noted statements by some pastors that withholding tithes could lead to spiritual or financial misfortune, calling such teachings manipulative.

The former aide compared the transparency of government spending, which is governed by the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, to the opacity of church finances.

“If you cannot tell how much your church makes or spends annually because your pastor hides it, you should apologise to the government for criticizing them,” he added.

Omokri concluded by urging Nigerians to reflect on their expectations from religious institutions and the state, noting that both should be held to the same standard of accountability.