The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned religious leaders against diverting money received as tithes, offerings, zakat and other religious funds into their personal businesses, Peak Newspaper reports.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC.
Olukoyede said religious organisations must put proper regulatory and compliance measures in place to ensure that funds entrusted to them by worshippers are used for the purposes for which they were donated.
According to him, mixing the financial resources of religious organisations with the personal funds or businesses of their leaders could amount to criminal conduct.
He advised religious leaders who engage in legitimate businesses such as farming, car sales and other vocations to keep their personal finances separate from money belonging to their churches, mosques or other religious organisations.
“When money is paid to your organisation, don’t divert it to your business. That’s criminal,” the EFCC chairman said.
Olukoyede also stressed the need for religious leaders to lead by example in the fight against corruption, noting that followers often observe and emulate the conduct of their religious leaders.
He said religious institutions have a major role to play in preventing corruption because they can influence the character and behaviour of their followers, even though agencies such as the EFCC are responsible for investigating and prosecuting financial crimes.
The EFCC chairman further criticised religious institutions that celebrate or honour individuals whose wealth cannot be reasonably explained.
He gave the example of a public servant who builds a mosque or other religious structure worth far beyond what his legitimate earnings could reasonably support, warning that celebrating such wealth could amount to celebrating the proceeds of crime.
“A public servant says he has built a mosque that is worth more than his earnings in the next 500 years. And you go there to dedicate it. You are dedicating the proceeds of crime,” Olukoyede said.
He therefore urged churches, mosques and other religious bodies to strengthen their internal financial controls, ensure transparency in the management of donations and avoid practices that could undermine public confidence in religious institutions.
Olukoyede maintained that the fight against corruption requires cooperation between government institutions, religious organisations and the wider society, with religious leaders expected to play a key role in promoting honesty, accountability and responsible use of entrusted funds.
