Nigerians, especially Christians, have been urged to actively participate in politics and initiatives aimed at improving the nation’s standard of living.
This call was made by Prof. Olumuyiwa Samuel, President of Chosen Life Christian University (CLICU), during the institution’s 4th convocation and the 8th induction ceremony of the Institute of Christian Theologians, Scholars and Professionals (ICTSP) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Prof. Samuel emphasized that for good governance and progress to take root, Christians must be involved in the country’s political affairs. He argued that the political landscape would greatly benefit from the participation of men of God.
He said, “If we pastors don’t go into politics, who should? We must abide by the laws made by politicians, and the Bible does not instruct us to go against our leaders.” He likened leadership to a pyramid, noting that while only a few hold top positions, pastors can positively influence politics by bringing the presence of God into governance.
Addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, Prof. Samuel stressed the need for more entrepreneurs, adding, “I make most of my money online. We help our students become independent because Nigeria needs more CEOs with vision to employ others.”
On the role of the institutions, he explained, “Our school doesn’t train people to seek employment. Most of our students are already ministry practitioners. We equip them to deepen their understanding of Christ’s ministry.”
Keynote speaker Prof. Livingstone Apochi highlighted discipleship as vital for developing the 21st-century church and Africa’s growth. He warned that the disconnect between spirituality and development in Africa stems from a lost foundation, and urged a return to solid discipleship to build strong spiritual leadership.
He said, “Many African Christian leaders belong to a maladjusted group without a strong foundation, which causes instability. Africa’s growth depends on training, taming, and trimming leaders through discipleship.”
Prof. Apochi called for a renewed focus on foundational spiritual training, saying it is essential to truly transform and develop the continent.
