Nigerian singer Spyro has leveled heavy criticism against the nation’s religious leaders, claiming they are the primary beneficiaries of the ongoing insecurity and severe economic hardship plaguing the country.
Speaking during a recent interview with Wazobia FM Lagos, the “Who’s Your Guy” artist argued that many clerics deliberately stay silent instead of challenging systemic failures because the worsening state of the nation directly drives financial gain to their institutions.
Spyro emphasized that religious leaders carry a fundamental duty to advocate for the physical and spiritual well-being of their followers. Rather than remaining passive, he insisted that spiritual heads should actively use their platforms to address the realities of the country’s harsh climate.
“Nigerian religious leaders should speak up against insecurity. They should tell the people on how to secure themselves and include the issue of insecurity in their sermons… Unfortunately, they are not doing that because the more the country is spoiling, the more money they make. Anywhere there is a crisis in a country, the people who benefit the most are religious leaders.” Spyro said.
Call for political education and cleric accountability
Beyond addressing security concerns, Spyro strongly chided Nigerian clergymen for neglecting their responsibility to provide proper electoral guidance to their congregations. He suggested that instead of leaving citizens politically unguided, religious institutions should actively educate their members on how to make informed choices during elections to foster better governance.
Concluding his critique, the singer stated that the public must shift its mindset regarding spiritual authorities. He urged Nigerians to stop shielding religious figures from scrutiny and instead ensure that all leaders, whether political or clerical, are held strictly accountable for their actions and silence in the face of national crisis.
