PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Pastor David Ibiyeomie, the presiding cleric of Salvation Ministries, has sparked widespread debate after publicly bragging that his immense personal wealth makes him entirely independent of his congregation’s financial contributions.
During a recent sermon that has since gone viral, the Port Harcourt-based pastor claimed that his financial status is “stinkingly rich” regardless of whether his members choose to give tithes or offerings. “Even if you don’t give me offerings, I’ll still be stinkingly rich,” Ibiyeomie told the audience, asserting that his prosperity is a result of his personal “covenant” with God rather than church collections.
To illustrate his financial muscle, the cleric disclosed a personal giving regimen that dwarfs the income of most Nigerians. “I give a minimum of $12,000 on Sundays and $2,000 on weekdays,” he stated. Based on these figures, Ibiyeomie claims to give away at least $24,000 every single week—roughly ₦38 million at current market rates.
The brag has drawn sharp criticism from observers who find the display of wealth insensitive amidst Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis. While Ibiyeomie frames his wealth as a “testimony of faith,” critics argue that such rhetoric prioritizes material opulence over the modest and sacrificial image traditionally expected of religious leaders.
The statement has also reignited the long-standing debate over the source of wealth for “celebrity pastors” in Nigeria. While Ibiyeomie maintains his riches are a “divine reward” for his personal sacrifices, his bold dismissal of the need for congregational support has left many questioning the message being sent to a public currently struggling with record-high inflation and hunger.
