Why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer in Nigeria’s manipulative faith economy

The exploitation of faith and religion for financial gain, coercion, and abuse has become a significant governance and social concern in Nigeria. Religious exploitation thrives in Nigeria because weak regulatory systems, economic vulnerability, and unchecked charismatic authority converge to create an accountability vacuum. In this environment, faith functions not only as a spiritual resource but also as an economic and psychological instrument that can be misused. While religion continues to serve as a powerful forc