Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has warned religious leaders against diverting tithes, offerings, zakat and other funds belonging to religious organisations into private businesses.
Olukoyede described the alleged diversion of institutional religious funds for personal commercial purposes as criminal and called on churches and mosques to strengthen their internal financial controls.
The EFCC chairman spoke at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), held under the theme, “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria.”
According to reports, Olukoyede urged religious organisations to establish clear regulatory compliance mechanisms to ensure that funds entrusted to them are properly managed.
His comments form part of the EFCC’s wider emphasis on financial accountability, transparency and the prevention of misuse of funds.
Religious organisations receive funds through various channels, including donations, tithes, offerings, zakat and other contributions. The appropriate management of those funds depends on the organisation’s governing structures, applicable laws and the purpose for which the money was collected.
The EFCC’s warning does not mean that every religious leader or institution is implicated in financial wrongdoing. Any specific allegation of criminal diversion would require evidence, investigation and due process.
The call for stronger compliance mechanisms places responsibility on religious institutions to maintain accurate financial records, establish oversight procedures and ensure that authorised funds are used for their stated purposes.
The meeting also highlights the role of interfaith institutions in discussing governance, accountability and social responsibility within Nigeria’s religious communities.