The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned religious leaders against diverting tithes, offerings, zakat and other funds entrusted to churches and mosques into private businesses.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, issued the warning on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2026 Second Council Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).

Olukoyede described the diversion of religious funds for personal business as criminal and urged churches and mosques to establish strong regulatory and compliance mechanisms to safeguard funds entrusted to them.

He said religious leaders had a responsibility to lead by example in the fight against corruption, noting that followers often model their conduct on that of their leaders.

“When the followers know that there is no difference between the money that is meant to propagate the faith that you stand for and your own personal resources, you miss everything together.

“You are not supposed to mingle in. That’s nothing that says you can’t do any other vocation. You sell cars, you are a farmer and all of that.

“Don’t mix the money from the purse of your organisation with that of your own personal money. Don’t do that. When money is paid to your organisation, don’t divert it to your business.

“That’s criminal and some of our adherents and followers see some of these things we do.”

The EFCC chairman said religious institutions had an important role to play in preventing corruption, stressing that while the commission could investigate and prosecute financial crimes, faith communities could help shape character and promote honesty.

Olukoyede also criticised worship centres for celebrating unexplained wealth, warning that doing so could amount to legitimising proceeds of crime.

“A public servant says he has built a mosque that is worth more than his earnings in the next 500 years. And you go there to dedicate it. You are dedicating the proceeds of crime,” he said.