Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) has made controversial remarks regarding the financial contributions of Igbo Christians to the church.
During the year of 2022 sermon in Abuja, he stated that while Igbos are known for their faith, they struggle to donate money to the church. He attributed this difficulty to their hard-earned money and the cultural mindset surrounding giving.
According to Fatoyinbo, although the Igbo community is known for its generosity, they often act on their own terms when it comes to giving. He emphasized that many individuals struggle to part with their earnings because of the intense effort they invested to acquire them. In his sermon, the pastor also shared his belief that “hustling” is a curse, urging his congregation to break free from it.
“The Igbo believe in God,” Fatoyinbo explained. “But it takes divine intervention for an Igbo person to give. Though they have large hearts, they don’t like being forced or pressured into anything.”
He further noted that although 90 percent of Igbos identify as Christians, the absence of large Igbo-led megachurches reflects deeper spiritual and cultural dynamics. He proudly pointed out that COZA incorporates more Igbo worship songs than many churches with Yoruba pastors.
“Hustling is a curse,” Fatoyinbo declared. “Some people find it hard to give because they hustled hard for their money. But in the name of Jesus, I declare that hustle will no longer define your life.”
