17th August 2025, Opinion, Column, Faith, News, Governance And Development, Lifestyle
By John Chukwu ANYIM

Why Religious Hypocrisy Is Dragging Our Nation Backward

Nigeria is a deeply religious nation. On every street corner, a church rises; every weekend, vigils echo across our cities; every January, millions declare fasting and prayer. Yet, step outside these sanctuaries and one meets a country drowning in corruption, injustice, and reckless indiscipline. The question is simple: How can a nation so full of religion remain so empty of righteousness? The answer is painful, we have abandoned religious discipline.

Christianity, in its purest form, is a manual for discipline. Jesus Christ Himself modeled it: waking up before dawn to pray, fasting in the wilderness, embracing sacrifice over self-indulgence, and enduring the cross for a greater glory. The Apostle Paul likened the Christian walk to that of an athlete who must train, discipline his body, and run with focus. If Nigeria, whose population is majority Christian practiced even half of these principles, we would not be where we are today. But our faith has been reduced to ceremonies without substance, and prayers without principles.

The Leadership Crisis: Oaths without Discipline

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, like his predecessors, swore before God and the people to serve faithfully. Yet today, Nigerians face soaring hunger, inflation, and unemployment. The removal of fuel subsidy, though economically sound on paper, was executed without discipline, compassion, or a safety net for the poor. While citizens starve, leaders live in obscene luxury. Is this servant leadership? Christ said, “The greatest among you must be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). But our rulers behave more like emperors fattening themselves on the misery of the masses.

The National Assembly is another theatre of indiscipline. Lawmakers shout about patriotism by day but sneak billions into the budget by night through padding and opaque constituency projects. They earn salaries higher than most legislators in the world, yet Nigeria remains one of the poorest nations on earth. What gospel do they claim to follow when they live like kings while their constituents cannot afford bread?

The Oil Sector: Wealth Wasted by Indiscipline

Nigeria’s oil sector is a story of shame. Under Diezani Alison-Madueke, billions of dollars vanished into private pockets. The Malabu Oil scandal, the fuel subsidy fraud, the missing $20 billion once flagged by former CBN governor Sanusi Lamido, all are symptoms of a nation without discipline. Even today, the NNPCL continues to leak funds like a sieve, while Nigeria, an oil giant imports petrol from smaller nations. If Joseph in Egypt could store grain for seven years of famine, why can’t Nigerian leaders, drenched in oil wealth, secure fuel for their people? The answer again is discipline or the lack of it.

Elections: Religion without Integrity

The tragedy deepens during elections. Politicians troop into churches with fat envelopes, kneeling for prayers, while pastors bless them with empty hands lifted. Yet these same politicians rig elections, bribe INEC officials, and buy votes openly. Where is the discipline of Daniel, who refused to eat the king’s food? Where is the integrity of Samuel, who could declare, “Whose ox have I taken?” Instead, we celebrate thieves in agbada, crown them with Bible verses, and invite them to our altars. This is not Christianity, it is blasphemy.

Why Nations Fail: Discipline as the Missing Link

The harsh truth is that no nation rises by miracles. Nations rise by discipline. Japan rose from the ashes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki not by loud prayers but by a culture of sacrifice, integrity, and hard work. Singapore, once a slum, transformed into a global economic hub through strict discipline under Lee Kuan Yew. Meanwhile, Nigeria, blessed with oil, fertile land, and talent, remains trapped in mediocrity because her people love shortcuts more than sacrifice, and miracles more than order.

We cannot bribe God with vigils while cheating in business, rigging elections, and looting public funds. Christianity is not about loud prayers alone, it is about integrity, service, sacrifice, and self-control. These are the values that build nations. Without them, Nigeria will continue its freefall, no matter how many churches are built or how many crusades are held.

The Role of the Church: Stop Blessing Looters

The Nigerian church cannot escape blame. Too many pastors have traded the gospel of discipline for the gospel of prosperity. Too many pulpits have become platforms for politicians to launder their image. When stolen wealth funds church projects, when corrupt officials are given front-row seats in worship, when the looter is called “Chief” and “Brother,” how can the church claim innocence?

The time has come for the church to rise and say No! No to looters parading as leaders. No to politicians who steal in the week and sing hymns on Sunday. No to a Christianity that preaches heaven but cannot build a decent nation on earth. The church must return to preaching discipline, discipline in leadership, discipline in governance, discipline in private life.

The Call to Action: Discipline or Destruction

Nigeria is at a crossroads. Either we embrace discipline, or we perish. Discipline in leadership, discipline in the church, discipline among citizens. Let every Christian live out their faith: pay your taxes honestly, refuse to take bribes, reject electoral fraud, and demand accountability from leaders. Let every pastor stop pampering politicians and start producing Daniels, Josephs, and Esthers who will stand for truth even in the lion’s den of corruption.

Religion without discipline is hypocrisy. And hypocrisy cannot build a nation. If Nigeria continues on this path, no prophecy, no miracle, no oil wealth will save us. But if we return to discipline, Christian discipline of service, sacrifice, and integrity, Nigeria can still rise.

The choice is clear. Discipline or Destruction.

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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