American humanitarian Alex Barbir has criticised Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) over its reported $265,000 donation to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Barbir questioned the decision by the church to support the government financially, arguing that religious organisations should instead prioritise vulnerable and persecuted communities.

In a post shared on his Instagram page, the humanitarian questioned whether it was appropriate for the church to use donations from its members, including people living in poverty, to support government activities.

In his words:

“The RCCG pastor literally gave $265,000 as a donation to the federal government. Is that the role of the church? To fund the operations of the government?

“You could have built 600 homes for the persecuted. I ask you, RCCG, how many villages have you helped rebuild in Nigeria? Zero.

“The church are the ones who are supposed to be the light, the ones who are standing with the forsaken, the persecuted, the afflicted, and instead you’re taking money from them and giving it to the government. It’s shameful,” he added.

Barbir further questioned the decision to collect financial contributions from people experiencing severe economic hardship and subsequently donate the funds to the government.

“To take tithes from the people who are frying akara on the street, living in extreme poverty, and then go give it to the government?”

Humanitarian questions church-government relationship

The American humanitarian also criticised what he described as the RCCG’s relationship with the Nigerian government.

He alleged that the church has maintained close ties with government officials despite concerns over attacks and insecurity affecting Christian communities in parts of the country.

Barbir’s comments have added to ongoing public discussions about the role of religious organisations in supporting government initiatives, particularly when many vulnerable Nigerians continue to face economic hardship and insecurity.

His criticism reflects his personal position on how church donations should be used, while the reported donation and the RCCG’s rationale for making the contribution remain central to the debate.