Let’s be real—Nigerians are some of the most religious people on the planet. Whether it’s Christianity, Islam, or traditional worship, we take our faith seriously. But for a country so devoted to spirituality, you’d think we’d stick to the core teachings of our religions, right?
Well… not exactly.
Some habits are so ingrained in our daily lives that we don’t even realize when we’re straying from the moral codes our faith preaches. Just for fun, here are seven things many religious Nigerians do—despite knowing their faith frowns upon them.
1. Bribery—The National Shortcut
From government offices to street corners, bribery is like an unspoken language in Nigeria. Whether it’s settling law enforcement officers or “tipping” agberos to avoid trouble, many religious folks find themselves offering brown envelopes or cash handshakes—despite the clear warnings against corruption in their holy books.
2. Insulting & Fighting—Quick to Anger, Quick to Pray
Our faith teaches patience, but let someone try to overtake you in Lagos traffic, and all that patience vanishes. Before you know it, words sharper than a two-edged sword are flying! And after exchanging heated insults? Well, it’s straight back to prayers for forgiveness.
3. Beating Traffic Lights & Ignoring Road Rules
Obedience is a virtue—except when that red light is taking too long! Many religious Nigerians conveniently forget the teachings on discipline when they’re running late, zooming past traffic lights and breaking road rules like they don’t exist.
4. Workplace Stealing—Corporate “Sharpness”
It’s not always about taking physical cash—over-inflating budgets, manipulating figures, and claiming unnecessary allowances are all common workplace sins. Ironically, some of the biggest culprits are the ones who never miss religious gatherings.
5. Gossiping—The Art of “Gist”
We love a good gist! But let’s face it—half the time, gossip is full of exaggerations, half-truths, and outright lies. Whether it’s neighborhood drama or office tea, some religious folks can’t resist the urge to talk—despite clear warnings against gossip in their faith.
6. Exploiting Workers—Faithful, But Unfair
Religious Nigerians love to quote scripture about kindness, but when it comes to paying domestic staff or employees fairly, some suddenly become “prayer warriors” instead of fair employers. Treating workers with dignity? Well, that’s somebody else’s moral duty.
7. Lying—A Little “White Lie” Won’t Hurt, Right?
We all know honesty is a core teaching in most religions, yet how many Nigerians can go a whole day without a little white lie? Whether it’s faking sickness to miss work or adjusting age on official documents, many religious folks justify their fibs as harmless—even though their faith says otherwise.
Nobody is perfect, but it’s funny how we sometimes overlook the very teachings we claim to follow. The good news? There’s always room for change! So, which of these habits have you been guilty of? Be honest—we promise not to judge! 😆👇🏾