•AI generated image used for illustration only
A Nigerian prison officer based in the United Kingdom has shared his personal decision to stop paying monthly tithes to his home church after relocating abroad.
In a candid post that has gone viral, the officer—who identifies on X as @Prestigious_Gt explained that while he faithfully paid tithes every month while living in Nigeria, he sent tithe to his home church only twice after arriving in the UK before stopping completely.
When his mother questioned him about the change, he told her: “We don’t pay tithe in the UK, and even offering isn’t compulsory.”
He went on to highlight what he sees as a key difference in church practice: “We eat every Sunday, and there’s a place you can pick up free food if you don’t have any at home. All the tithe we paid in church in Nigeria—where did it go? There was never a time we had food for the poor or a room where food was kept. Isn’t that the essence of tithe?”
His mother reportedly responded by accusing him of “backsliding.”
The officer was quick to clarify that his post is not an attack on tithing or Nigerian churches.
“This post is not in any way saying you should not pay your tithe or saying the Nigerian church is a scam,” he wrote.
“This is my own personal conviction and should not influence your own decisions.”
Instead, he emphasised how he now channels his giving differently: “I invest more in taking care of my parents and helping friends and family. When the church has a special programme, I contribute heavily. I have bought drum sets for more than 5 churches and speakers for more than 3 churches since I came to the UK.
“I have sponsored more than 20 upcoming gospel artistes to record their first songs and sponsored many concerts.”
He added: “Every December, I spend no less than 3 million on buying foodstuffs for my home church members and close friends to celebrate.”
The officer stressed that his approach is not about bragging or superiority: “This is not to brag or feel superior. We contribute to God’s work differently, and I believe in taking care of my elders, family, and friends more.”
He concluded with a direct appeal: “If you believe in tithing, please pay it. Don’t use my story to stop paying tithe if your personal conviction has not shifted.”
