‘I don’t collect or preach tithe’, says Odumeje

The General Overseer of Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, who is widely recognized by the name Odumeje, has claimed that he does not receive tithe contributions nor teaches his congregation about tithing.

This disclosure was made during his interview on Honest Bunch Podcast, which is available on YouTube.

Odumeje said his ministry focuses on demonstrating spiritual power rather than teaching about tithing and giving. He argued that some churches place too much emphasis on collecting money from their members.

“Those people that collect tithes and teach tithes every day when you come to church, they will be interested in making sure that they clear your pockets. And there is no practical evidence and miracles that you will see. The only thing is stories. That is not the kind of church I run,” he said.

Explaining the focus of his ministry, the cleric added, “My mission on earth is demonstration of power. All the teaching of tithe and teaching of giving, I am not in that area.”

Odumeje, however, clarified that he does not consider tithing wrong. He said the decision to pay should be a personal one between an individual and God.

“I don’t collect tithes. Nobody pays me tithes. I am not saying that tithe is bad. It’s a decision between you and God if you want to pay tithe. Tithe is real. But it is something that you must decide. Not something that somebody will be brainwashing you, forcing you,” he said.

He also faulted the practice of making church members believe that failing to pay tithes would prevent them from going to heaven.

“Give it to you that if you don’t do it, you will not go to heaven. That is not from God. So that is a decision between you and God,” he added.

The comments are not the first time Odumeje has addressed the subject. In July 2025, he declared from the pulpit that he does not demand tithes from his congregation, saying his mission was to prove that Christ is real rather than to make money.

“I no dey do church for money. Nobody pays me tithe,” he said at the time. “I am doing church to prove to you that Christ is real. That is my mission.”

His latest remarks have stirred conversation online, coming amid a long-running debate in Nigeria about tithing, church finances and the prosperity gospel.

Critics have accused some pastors of turning the pulpit into a fundraising platform, while supporters of the practice insist it is a biblical obligation.