Nigerians have reacted with outrage to recent comments by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A. Adeboye, who claimed that without divine intervention, the exchange rate could have reached ₦10,000 per dollar.
Speaking at the Special Holy Ghost Congress in Abuja, Adeboye linked the nation’s financial troubles to its reliance on fuel imports and non-operational refineries, suggesting that collective prayers were key to preventing a total collapse of the naira.
“If God hadn’t intervened, $1 could have been worth ₦10,000 by now. This illustrates how much we need prayers,” the cleric popularly known as Daddy G.O stated, adding that the removal of the petrol subsidy had angered vested interests who sabotaged economic progress.
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), users expressed frustration and disbelief at his comments. “Adeboye is not a man of God. He is a tool for the devilish Nigerian leaders. God will punish everyone lying in His name. Sigh!” wrote Emir (@ikhanaib).
Another user, Ebube (@ebube1987), mocked the cleric with sarcasm: “Adeboye, the only Yoruba man that drinks tea with God on His dining table, the only man that speaks to the winter and it becomes summer, the only Yoruba man that prays and dollar didn’t hit ₦10,000, the only Yoruba man that said he will die on Sunday after eating pounded yam.”
Others questioned his consistency, citing his past involvement in protests. Grumpy Grandpa (@mayeesq) wrote, “If the problem of a weak or underperforming naira is spiritual, why did Pst. Adeboye participate in the Ojota protest against G. Jonathan?”
Meanwhile, Ugo (@Oforma19) accused Adeboye of misleading the public: “God warned us about Endtime pastors, and one of them is Pastor Adeboye with his fake predictions over the naira.”
Nigeria’s economy remains under severe pressure, with the naira losing value and inflation eroding purchasing power. Critics argue that attributing the country’s struggles to spirituality distracts from pressing issues such as fixing refineries and fostering economic diversification.
The cleric’s remarks, while reflecting the significant role of faith in Nigerian society, have intensified public frustration over the intersection of religion and governance failures.
