Balancing faith and productivity in Nigeria’s tough times

BY IBUKUN EMIOLA

On a typical weekday morning in some cities across Nigeria, prayer grounds fill steadily as early as 8 a.m.

While many offices have yet to record full attendance, worship centres are already resonating with songs of “breakthrough”, “open doors” and “divine intervention”.

In a nation battling economic stress, rising living costs and limited opportunities, many Nigerians are increasingly turning to prayer houses, oftentimes during official working hours in search of solutions that the economy appears unwilling to deliver.

But the bigger question is not whether Nigerians should pray; it is how the growing culture of weekday miracle-seeking at the expense of productive work hours is quietly eroding productivity in a country already struggling to grow. Nigeria’s labour market and economy tell a nuanced story.

Recent labour data shows that, under international labour force reporting standards, Nigeria’s unemployment rate hovers around 5.0 per cent to 5.4 per cent in 2023–2024.

At first glance, that may seem moderate by global standards, but the reality beneath the percentages is stark.

Available data also indicates that more than 84 million Nigerians were engaged in some form of employment in 2023, but 77.6 million (about 92.2 per cent) were in informal work rather than stable, formal jobs.

For instance, underemployment, that is, people working less than they want or earning below a living income persists around 11 per cent to 12 per cent.

The labour force participation rate remained high at about 80.4 per cent, showing many Nigerians are available to work but not necessarily thriving economically.

Analysts say nearly 30 per cent of Nigerians still live on less than 2.15 dollars per day, underscoring persistent income challenges.

These figures help explain why many Nigerians; whether unemployed, underemployed, or stuck in unstable jobs feel compelled to search for hope wherever they can find it.

For some, attendance at prayer houses during work hours is a matter of survival.

Mrs Bolanle Oladosu, a Researcher in Ibadan, said financial stress and fear of stagnation pushed her toward prayer meetings in the past.

“When survival feels blocked, prayer starts to look like a shortcut, not a distraction; I was not lazy; I was desperate.”

She recalled the moment she reflected on how much time she had sacrificed. “Time is capital. I spent mine chasing signs instead of building professional skills,” she said.

Mr Victor Adedokun, a civil servant at a foremost hospital in Ibadan, said he was a regular attendee of prayer houses when he was unemployed.

He shared a similar experience.

“Economic pressure and fear of stagnation pushed me there; prayer homes felt like a shortcut, hope sold quickly,” he said.

He added that he eventually returned to prioritising work.

Also, Mrs Yetunde Alabi, a civil servant at Oyo State Secretariat, said she initially attended prayer meetings during work hours due to economic hardship and the need for spiritual support.

However, she began to reconsider when it started affecting her time and concentration at work.

She eventually reduced her attendance to strike a balance between faith and professional responsibility.

“While the experience was spiritually uplifting, it required better time management,” Alabi said.

On her part, Ms Taiwo Ayoola, a confectionery expert, said she did not attend prayer houses but believed those who did so during working hours were often driven by desperation.

According to her, many begin to question their involvement when expected changes fail to materialise quickly.

While some stop attending out of disappointment, others continue in hope that their situation will eventually improve.

Others remain firm in their convictions. A fashion designer in Abuja, Mrs Josephine Afolabi, said prayer sustained her emotionally and spiritually.

“I worship God out of love. Sometimes that’s more important than schedules,” she said. Also, an entrepreneur in Ibadan, Ms Kemi Elufowoju, said nothing compares to knowing God and being deeply committed.

“I never questioned the impact on my life because I have learnt to serve God devotedly not because of miracles, as in what I can get from Him but out of devotion whether He answers my request or not,” she said.

Mrs Oluremilekun Ogunsola, a public servant, said working hours must remain sacrosanct.

“Economic time should be used judiciously,” she advised.

A staffer at a research institute in Ibadan, Jesutofunmi Robinson, said spiritual life should not overshadow duty to one’s employer.

Alabi advised Nigerians to keep their faith while remaining committed to work and personal growth.

A Lagos-based chess professional, Mr Wale Dada, said he simply could not afford to step out during office hours.

“There’s no time during work to leave for prayer,” he said.

Mr Adki Hillary of the Lagos State sports ministry said while prayer might offer spiritual strength, it must not replace diligence.

“God said He would bless the work of our hands. What do you expect God to bless when you don’t work?” he asked.

Religious leaders maintain that faith and work are not mutually exclusive.

A pastor New Realms Church in Lagos, Pastor Kayode Opemuyi, said the prayer times were flexible.

“Working members can join services online if they cannot attend physically during work hours,” he said.

The Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Uthman Ibrahim emphasised accountability.

“Every worker is entrusted with amanah (trust) and will account for it. People are commanded to work for their livelihood.

They can pray during break time,” he said. Experts warn that the issue extends beyond individual choices and into national productivity.

Dr Modupe Yusuf, a communications scholar, argues that attending religious gatherings during working hours presents ethical questions in the workplace.

“Workers have an obligation to perform duties during work hours; religious activities should not replace professional responsibility,” she said.

Mr Yemi Osanyin, an occupational organisational expert, pointed to the significant man-hours lost weekly, especially in informal sectors where time flexibility was high but earnings were precarious.

“Individuals lose income and the economy suffers; poverty worsens when productive hours are surrendered,” he said.

A Professor of Religion at the University of Ibadan, Prof. Jacob Ayantayo, sees the trend as symptomatic of deeper systemic challenges.

“When systems are porous and poverty bites hard, people turn to miracles.

“But without productivity, innovation suffers, and without innovation, national growth declines,” he said.

According to reports, even Nigeria’s religious “industry” dwarfs some economic segments.

Investigations estimate that religious institutions could be worth over N500 trillion (hundreds of billions of dollars) when real estate, media, banks, and social services owned by religious groups are included, though this figure reflects assets and economic activity rather than direct income or public productivity.

While this reveals how deeply woven faith is into Nigerian society, it also highlights how religion shapes economic actions beyond local prayer grounds.

For many Nigerians, prayer houses provide more than spiritual solace; they provide community in times of hardship.

In some places, congregations have become informal support centres, offering food, counselling and shelter when state safety nets fail.

When traditional systems falter, religion often steps in; economically, socially, and psychologically.

In this context, prayer houses are not just sites of worship, but hubs of social reassurance and survival.

Mr Olayinka Solomon, a respondent, attested to the massive support he had received from a religious house when in crisis.

“I know many people like me that benefits from the support be it financial, social and psychological provided by religious houses.

“So, it is not just about going there to pray,” Solomon said.

The debate about prayer and productivity will continue in a deeply religious nation. But many respondents agree on one principle: balance matters.

“Pray but do not pause your life,” Oladosu advised.

In a country yearning for economic revival, perhaps the real miracle Nigerians seek lies not only in prayer houses, but also in strengthened discipline, resilient institutions and a collective commitment to productive work.

All in all, stakeholders hold the view that faith inspires hope, but it is productivity that sustains a nation.