Church must rise above politics to heal Nigeria —Prophet Olubo

In this interview, the General Overseer of House of Favour Church, Lagos, Prophet Bayode Olubo speaks with SEYI SOKOYA, on the rising tension in Nigeria, the role of the Church in fostering unity, leadership challenges within ministries, and how faith-based institutions can contribute meaningfully to national development.

HOW can the Church promote unity amid political tensions?

Unity must begin from the pulpit and extend to the pew. The Church should model the very message it preaches. When different denominations collaborate on projects such as medical outreaches, boreholes, education support, and humanitarian interventions, it sends a strong signal that the body of Christ is greater than tribe, ethnicity, or political affiliation.

The Church must also continue to preach kingdom values above political camps. Our identity in Christ should supersede every ethnic or partisan divide. In the early Church, believers shared life together beyond slogans, and that spirit is still relevant today.

Another important step is creating safe spaces for dialogue. Churches can organise town-hall conversations where people from different political parties sit together, interact, and build understanding. Unity is often built around tables and relationships, not just sermons.

Should clerics be more vocal or neutral in politics?

Neither extreme is healthy. Clerics should be prophetic, not partisan. The Church must speak boldly against corruption, injustice, insecurity, and poverty without turning the pulpit into a campaign platform.

Our responsibility is to disciple people with biblical values such as righteousness, competence, and character, then allow them to make informed decisions. Once the Church becomes openly partisan, it risks losing moral authority among those who hold different political views.

However, there are moments when silence becomes dangerous. In the face of obvious evil or oppression, the Church must speak. The key is to remain issue-based rather than personality-driven.

There are increasing concerns about envy, rivalry, and leadership struggles within the Church. How can this be addressed?

One of the major problems is the growing celebrity culture in ministry. When gifts are celebrated above character, competition naturally follows. The Church must return to the understanding that God alone gives increase. There is also a need for shared leadership structures. One-man empires often create insecurity and unhealthy control. The early Church functioned with plural leadership, and that reduced unnecessary rivalry.

Transparency is equally important. Many leadership battles arise because there are no clear structures, succession plans, or accountability systems. Written constitutions, financial transparency, and proper administration help reduce conflicts.

Leaders must also learn to publicly celebrate one another. Envy loses its power when honour becomes a culture.

How can younger ministers be mentored to avoid conflicts in ministry?

Young ministers must first be taught identity before assignment. Many conflicts in ministry are rooted in insecurity and the desperate search for validation. They should also be exposed to the process of ministry, not just the platform. Ministry is not only about preaching behind a microphone. It involves counselling, prayer meetings, administration, sacrifice, and serving people in difficult moments.

Mentorship must go beyond classroom training. True fathering requires proximity and example. Character formation takes time.

We must also normalise small beginnings. Not every young minister needs a massive platform immediately. Growth and maturity are important for lasting impact.

How can the Church maintain integrity and relevance in a changing world?

Integrity begins with consistency between public ministry and private life. There must be financial accountability, moral discipline, and transparency. The world can forgive failure more easily than hypocrisy.

At the same time, the Church must remain relevant by addressing the realities people face daily, unemployment, migration pressures, mental health, technology, and even artificial intelligence. We do not change the Gospel, but we can adapt our methods and language to reach people effectively.

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A church that combines spiritual ministry with practical support systems such as food banks, skills acquisition centres, and digital literacy initiatives will remain impactful.

What practical steps can the Church and government take together to move Nigeria forward?

The Church can help by promoting civic education, encouraging peaceful participation in elections, creating skill centres, supporting agriculture, and mediating grassroots conflicts.

Government, on the other hand, must protect religious freedom, create enabling environments for businesses, partner with faith-based organisations in healthcare and education delivery, and ensure corruption is punished regardless of status.

Development becomes possible when both institutions operate with sincerity and accountability.

What message do you have for Nigerians at this moment?

Nigeria’s story is not over. We are a resilient people blessed with unusual grace and strength. There have been difficult moments in our national history when many believed the country would collapse, yet we are still standing.

There is hope, but hope must be accompanied by responsibility. Nation-building requires sacrifice, patience, and commitment from everyone: leaders, teachers, farmers, professionals, and religious institutions alike.

People should not give up emotionally on the nation. Change may be slow and difficult, but it remains possible.

What have been the most fulfilling and challenging moments in the ministry for you?

The most fulfilling moments are seeing people grow spiritually and become instruments of transformation for others. There is great joy in watching lives change positively through the Gospel.

The most difficult moments involve carrying people’s pain while dealing with personal burdens. Losing young people and watching families go through painful situations can be emotionally draining. Leadership can sometimes be lonely.

How do you measure success and impact in ministry?

Success is not measured by crowd size, money, or buildings. True success is faithfulness to God’s assignment.

I look at whether lives are genuinely transformed, whether people raised under my leadership are becoming responsible leaders themselves, and whether the work continues beyond applause and public recognition.

Private obedience matters more than public image.

At 60, how would you describe your life journey?

At 60, life becomes more reflective. You begin to understand that many things people chase are not as important as they once appeared.

This season brings greater clarity, deeper gratitude, and a stronger focus on purpose. It is less about noise and more about significance.

What lessons do you wish you had known earlier in life and ministry?

I would have listened more and spoken less. I also learned that people matter more than projects.

Another major lesson is that rest is necessary. Burnout is not spirituality. Family, too, must never be neglected because no public success can replace a broken home.

How do you balance ministry, family, and personal well-being?

I prefer to speak about rhythms rather than balance because seasons differ. There are periods when ministry demands more attention, but family and health must never be ignored.

There should be deliberate moments for rest, vacations, medical checkups, and family time. Delegation is also very important because leadership without support eventually leads to exhaustion.

What are your priorities after 60?

My priorities now include finishing strong, mentoring the next generation of leaders, documenting lessons through writing and teaching, maintaining good health, and becoming more intentional about where I invest my time and energy. At this stage, every commitment must be strategic.

What advice would you give younger leaders?

Young leaders must discover purpose before pursuing popularity. Submission and humility are essential before leadership. They should also strive for competence alongside spiritual growth. Excellence matters. Choosing the right life partner is equally critical because destiny is strongly connected to relationships.

Above all, they must remain humble and avoid pride. Nigeria still needs builders who are willing to stay, serve, and contribute meaningfully to society.

Pastor Olubo maintained that although Nigeria faces enormous social and political challenges, the Church still has a crucial role to play in restoring hope, promoting integrity, and shaping a better future for the nation.