Toke Makinwa Explains Why She Stopped Paying Tithes to Churches, Chooses Direct Giving Instead

Popular Nigerian media personality and entrepreneur Toke Makinwa has revealed why she no longer pays tithes to churches, explaining that her decision followed deep personal reflection about how money should be used to help people.

Speaking in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Makinwa said her perspective on tithing has evolved over time, particularly after she began questioning how religious institutions receive large financial contributions while many members still struggle with rent, medical bills, and daily living expenses.

According to her, she experienced what she described as “post-traumatic church syndrome,” which prompted her to examine how churches operate and how funds are managed. She said this led her to ask difficult questions about why she should give money to already well-funded church structures when individuals around her were in urgent need of support.

The entrepreneur disclosed that about seven years ago, she once gave an entire brand endorsement payment to her church, believing the sacrifice would bring financial blessings. However, she said her approach has since changed.

Now, Makinwa prefers to direct her giving towards hospitals, maternity wards, widows, and individuals with pressing needs, stressing that helping people directly creates a more visible impact.

She said:

“If I have money and someone tells me they need it to pay rent, why should I pass it into a building that’s already rich? I would rather give my tithe to strangers who tell me their actual needs. The church is built. The pastors have money. Let’s help people the church cannot reach.

Seven years ago, I didn’t touch one naira from an endorsement deal; I carried it all into the church. Now, I give where it directly helps someone in need. Giving should be based on personal conviction.”

She encouraged people to reflect carefully on how they support others, emphasizing that generosity should come from personal conviction rather than pressure or tradition.

Opinion: A Conversation Many People Are Afraid to Have

Toke Makinwa’s comments touch on a sensitive but important topic—how faith, money, and social responsibility intersect in modern society. While tithing remains a deeply rooted spiritual practice for many believers, her viewpoint reflects a growing conversation about transparency, accountability, and impact.

Her stance does not necessarily reject faith; rather, it questions systems and encourages intentional giving. In a country where poverty and healthcare challenges remain widespread, the idea of redirecting resources toward immediate human needs resonates with many people.

Ultimately, the debate is less about whether tithing is right or wrong and more about how generosity can best serve humanity. Makinwa’s perspective invites individuals to think critically about their choices while respecting that giving, in any form, is deeply personal.