The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned religious leaders against diverting tithes, offerings, zakat and other funds entrusted to churches, mosques and religious organisations into private businesses.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, issued the warning on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, during the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja.
Olukoyede stressed that religious leaders who operate legitimate private businesses are not prohibited from doing so, but said funds belonging to religious organisations must be kept separate from their personal finances.
According to him, when money is paid into a religious organisation, it should not be diverted to a leader’s private business or personal interests, describing such diversion as criminal.
He also urged churches, mosques and other faith-based organisations to establish proper financial controls and compliance mechanisms to ensure that funds contributed by worshippers are properly managed.
The EFCC chairman further called on religious leaders to lead by example in the fight against corruption, noting that faith communities have an important role to play in shaping the character and conduct of their followers.
Olukoyede also cautioned religious institutions against accepting questionable donations or celebrating unexplained wealth without considering the source of such funds.
He said religious titles should not shield anyone from accountability, adding that the EFCC had investigated and prosecuted individuals with religious titles over financial crimes.
The warning was part of the EFCC’s broader engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders. During the meeting, the commission also unveiled an interfaith anti-corruption manual designed to help religious leaders promote integrity and discourage corruption among their followers.
The EFCC maintained that financial crimes have no religious or ethnic boundaries and urged religious institutions to strengthen accountability in the management of funds entrusted to them.
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