The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned religious leaders against diverting tithes, offerings, zakat and other funds belonging to religious organisations into private businesses.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede issued the warning in Abuja on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, during the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).
Olukoyede described the diversion of religious funds for personal or business purposes as criminal and urged churches and mosques to establish strong regulatory and compliance mechanisms to safeguard money entrusted to them by worshippers.
He stressed that religious leaders must lead by example in the fight against corruption, noting that their followers often emulate their conduct.
According to him, religious leaders are free to engage in legitimate businesses and other vocations, but must keep their personal finances separate from funds belonging to their religious organisations.
“When followers know that there is no difference between the money meant to propagate the faith that you stand for and your own personal resources, you miss everything together.
“You are not supposed to mingle them. There is nothing that says you cannot engage in another vocation. You sell cars, you are a farmer and all of that.
“Don’t mix the money from the purse of your organisation with your personal money. Don’t do that. When money is paid to your organisation, don’t divert it to your business. That’s criminal,” he said.
Olukoyede also highlighted the important role of religious institutions in the fight against corruption, saying that while the EFCC has the responsibility to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, faith communities can help prevent crime by promoting integrity and good character.
He further criticised religious centres for celebrating individuals whose wealth could not be accounted for, warning that such practices could amount to endorsing 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,” he said.
