I’m Dr. Charles Apoki, and today I’d like to address a pressing issue regarding our country’s path toward true prosperity. I want to be clear upfront: my intent is not to attack the church or anyone’s faith, but to call attention to a fundamental shift we need as a nation. Our cities are filled with churches, yet lacking in industries, and I’m convinced that this imbalance is contributing to our nation’s struggle with poverty and unproductivity.
During my recent travels across Europe, I had the opportunity to observe a few things that reminded me of what we’re missing back home. When driving into European cities, what catches your eye are the industries, factories, and farms lining the highways. In Nigeria, however, it’s mostly billboards for church programs and political campaigns. We’ve substituted actual productivity with the hope that religious gatherings alone will provide solutions. But let’s ask ourselves—how has all our praying, fasting, and prophesying truly improved our economy or social systems?
God’s expectation of humanity is rooted in productivity. Parables like the talents and the fig tree are clear examples where Christ emphasized the importance of producing tangible results. Yet, when I look at our society, I see a kind of Christianity that focuses on miracles and blessings without the emphasis on industry, discipline, or planning. Prayer grounds are abundant, but farms are rare. Churches fill entire high-rise buildings, but there’s a shortage of businesses that provide employment and wealth.
In Europe, I observed how even religious organizations contribute to society productively. The Catholic Church in Germany, for instance, runs hospitals, schools, and social services. It’s a practical Christianity that serves both spiritual and material needs, benefiting all people. Imagine if we directed some of our resources from church programs into industries, training, and skill development. If we did that, we’d empower more people, reduce poverty, and break the dependency cycle that keeps many Nigerians in lack.
Our politicians, who often present themselves as Christians or Muslims, should also consider what they see on international visits. While they attend church services and mosque prayers, do they ever pause to see how other nations—built on similar religious foundations—run productive, well-organized societies? It’s time we as Nigerians hold both our religious institutions and political leaders accountable for creating real, lasting progress.
I am deeply concerned that we’ve made religion a substitute for reason and hard work. We should be encouraging productivity alongside faith. We have the manpower and the resources, but we lack the collective focus on nation-building. We need a mental reorientation—shifting our paradigm toward productivity and accountability rather than prayer marathons alone. God is not glorified by unproductivity. Real faith, as James wrote, shows itself in works.
I call upon our leaders, religious figures, and every Nigerian to embrace this shift. Let’s reduce the billboards and boost our industries, schools, and farms. With a productive mindset and faith as our guide, I believe we can transform Nigeria into a land where both our industries and our churches contribute to true prosperity. If you’re interested in learning more about personal development and becoming a person of influence, join my upcoming webinar on November 8th and 9th. You can message +2348021219262 for more details.
God bless you.
