Media personality Toke Makinwa has shared why she no longer pays tithes to churches, saying she prefers to support individuals and institutions facing urgent needs.
Speaking during a conversation with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, Makinwa questioned the practice of giving money to churches she believes are already financially stable while many Nigerians struggle to make ends meet.
“I kinda stopped paying tithes to the church because all the churches I know are rich, and I decided that I’m not doing that anymore,” she said.
According to her, the shift came after she began reassessing how her contributions could have a more direct impact. Rather than paying into church accounts, she now channels her support to hospitals, maternity wards and individuals who approach her with pressing financial needs.
“I started thinking, if I have money and someone tells me they need it to pay rent, why should I pass it into a building that’s already rich,” she said. “I would rather give my tithe to strangers who tell me their actual needs.”
Makinwa also raised concerns about the financial structure of some churches, pointing to frequent fundraising appeals and succession patterns within ministries. “Every Sunday, there’s a building fund envelope. You guys have so much money and it’s not taxed. It’s a business, if we are going to be real,” she said.
Reflecting on her earlier years, the media personality disclosed that she once donated an entire brand endorsement fee to her church in pursuit of spiritual blessings.
“Ten years ago, I didn’t touch one naira from an endorsement deal; I carried it all into the church,” she said. “Now, I give where it directly helps someone in need.”
During the discussion, Jideonwo also spoke about what he described as the unintended harm that religious experiences can sometimes cause, including what he termed “post-traumatic church syndrome.”
Makinwa’s comments have since sparked conversations online about tithing, transparency, and alternative approaches to charitable giving within religious communities.
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