Last week, the internet was abuzz with the
Forbes revelation that 5 out of the world’s top 10
richest pastors are Nigerian – click here if you
missed it.
Sitting at the top of the list with $150 million is
David Oyedepo , Bishop of Living Faith Church,
better known as “Winners Chapel”.
Reuters examined this phenomenon in a recent
article, stating,
“…”megachurches”… form a huge, untaxed sector
of Africa’s top economy. Hundreds of millions of
dollars change hands each year in these popular
Pentecostal houses of worship.”
For the article, they spoke with the Bishop, who
had the following to say about his estimated net
worth and if churches should be taxed, (a recent
topic at the National Conference),
About Forbes Estimation of his Net
Worth
“For me, to have fortune means
someone who has what he needs at
any point in time. I don’t see myself
as having $150 million stacked up
somewhere. Whatever way they
found their figures, I am only able
to say I am blessed by the Lord.”
Should Nigerian Churches be
Taxed?
“There is no single government
input on this premises,” (BN Editor’s
Note: referring to Canaanland, the
church’s headquarters & Covenant
University campus)
Oyedepo told Reuters , “We supply
our water, we make our roads, then
you … say: ‘Let’s tax them’. For
what?”
The Reuters article claimed Jonathan will not
address the tax issue before the upcoming
elections, “it is debatable whether President
Goodluck Jonathan, who is close to several
megapastors, would risk upsetting these
influential men and their hefty congregations with
a fat tax bill.”
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