Pastor Poju Oyemade, founder of Covenant Nation, is facing intense backlash from Nigerians on social media following controversial remarks he made about the country’s youth and employment issues.
In a recent video that quickly went viral, the pastor claimed that Nigerian youths are lazy, ungrateful, and have been "programmed to hate the country." These statements have sparked widespread criticism and debate across various platforms.In the video, Poju Oyemade argued that Nigerian youths often criticize the government and the country without acknowledging the opportunities they have. He compared the costs of medical education in Nigeria with the United States, claiming that while Nigerian students may spend up to ₦500,000 in fees to become doctors, a similar student in the U.S. would not be able to study medicine with even $2,000. He argued that Nigerian youths fail to appreciate these opportunities, labeling their criticisms as "ingratitude."
"As a doctor, you can spend 500k on fees until you graduate, but in the US, you can't study medicine with even $2000. Yet, they are not grateful," Poju Oyemade said.
He also discussed unemployment in Nigeria, claiming that there is no unemployment in the country because many people run businesses "off the records," making it impossible to track employment rates accurately. He added that Nigerians living abroad, including those in the U.S., are willing to take on multiple jobs, such as driving Uber, while many Nigerians at home are not ready to do the same. He argued that this lack of willingness to take on such jobs is contributing to the country’s economic challenges.
"Nigerians in the U.S. do up to 4 jobs, including driving Uber, to make money. But here, Nigerians are not ready to do the same kind of work they do in the U.S., yet they complain," he said.
However, his remarks have drawn sharp criticism, with many Nigerians disagreeing with his comparison. Critics argue that Poju’s comparisons between Nigeria and the U.S. are irrational and fail to consider the significant differences in the value of work. For example, many have pointed out that driving Uber in the U.S. offers higher earnings due to the different cost of living and wage structures, while the situation in Nigeria is far less lucrative.
Moreover, Poju’s comments on unemployment were criticized for oversimplifying the issue, as critics argue that many young Nigerians are underemployed or face significant barriers to formal employment. The suggestion that businesses "off the record" are the cause of unemployment was also seen as dismissive of the real challenges that youth face in accessing legitimate work opportunities.
Some also questioned Poju’s silence on the ongoing security and humanitarian issues in Nigeria, particularly the frequent killings of Christians in the northern part of the country. Critics pointed out that while Poju was quick to speak on youth apathy and economic grievances, he had not publicly condemned the violence against vulnerable communities, leading many to accuse him of selective engagement.
In an unexpected twist, supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) appeared to rally behind Poju’s comments, suggesting that his remarks were directed at the Obidient movement, the group of supporters who were loyal to the presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 elections. They argued that Poju’s comments were a response to what they perceived as an unpatriotic and entitled faction of Nigerian youth, though Poju himself did not explicitly name any political group.
This latest controversy follows a similar incident in 2022, when Poju deleted a tweet after he was criticized for subtly promoting Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the presidential election campaigns while appearing to undermine Peter Obi’s candidacy. His tweet, which read, “No man goes to battle without taking stock first nor laying the foundation of a tower,” was widely seen as an endorsement of Tinubu, which led to backlash from his followers.
As the conversation continues, it remains clear that Pastor Poju Oyemade’s remarks have struck a nerve, with Nigerians across the political and social spectrum weighing in on his views. His comments have ignited debates about national identity, the responsibilities of young Nigerians, and the broader issues of governance, unemployment, and social media influence.
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