An opinion article has called on the Federal Government to engage prominent Nigerian Christian leaders, including Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastors David Ibiyeomie, Paul Enenche and Korede Komaiya, to explore how their institutions could contribute to national development.
The call is contained in an article titled, “Why the Nigerian Government Must Invite Bishop David Oyedepo and His Spiritual Sons Immediately,” which argues that the four clerics have built institutions whose experiences could offer valuable lessons in tackling Nigeria’s development challenges.
The article identified education, healthcare, employment generation, transportation, infrastructure, poverty reduction and human capital development as areas where the churches have made notable interventions.
It noted that the ministries operate organised transportation systems that convey worshippers and participants to church services and programmes free of charge, describing the initiative as a form of social support that could inspire broader interventions.
On education, the article highlighted investments in primary and secondary schools, as well as universities equipped with modern learning facilities to promote academic excellence and character development.
It also cited medical outreaches, financial assistance for patients, sponsorship of surgeries and support for Nigerians requiring specialised medical treatment abroad as part of the churches’ healthcare interventions.
The article further highlighted scholarship schemes through which young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have reportedly received support to pursue higher education and acquire professional qualifications.
It identified electricity generation, road construction, pedestrian bridges and water facilities as other areas where the religious institutions have invested in infrastructure to support their operations and surrounding communities.
On employment generation, the article claimed that the four church organisations collectively provide jobs for more than 300,000 people, with activities spanning education, healthcare, administration, hospitality, logistics and other sectors.
It added that their conventions and international programmes attract thousands of participants from within and outside Nigeria, creating business opportunities for hotels, transport operators, traders, food vendors and other service providers.
Beyond infrastructure and economic activities, the article stressed the role of religious institutions in social transformation through counselling, moral instruction, family development, entrepreneurship training and programmes aimed at discouraging destructive lifestyles.
It argued that such interventions could provide useful lessons for addressing social challenges, strengthening families and promoting responsible citizenship.
The article also pointed to the organisations’ resource management, institutional discipline and long-term planning as areas from which public administrators and development practitioners could draw lessons.
It therefore urged the Federal Government to initiate a structured engagement with the four clerics to examine their institutional models, identify transferable practices and explore possible areas of collaboration.
It stressed that the proposed engagement should go beyond political considerations and ceremonial recognition, focusing instead on practical solutions in education, healthcare, employment, infrastructure, social welfare, entrepreneurship and community development.
The article concluded that Nigeria could benefit from the experiences of successful non-governmental and faith-based institutions, particularly in areas where their initiatives could complement government development programmes.
The call comes amid growing conversations about the role of religious organisations, private institutions and civil society in supporting government efforts to improve living conditions and expand development opportunities.
