I’m Happy To Shed Light On Nigerian Pastors

Seyi Rhodes is a British journalist with Channel4, an independent broadcaster with a public service remit, known for its hard hitting factual programmes. He recently travelled to Lagos for a documentary on Nigeria’s millionaire preachers which will air today in the United Kingdom. In this interview with Simon Ateba, he explains why such a documentary is important

As a British journalist, how important was it to do a documentary on Nigeria?

It was very important to me. I’m part Nigerian and there is a huge Nigerian population in the UK. Nigerian number and size or Nigerian churches are growing rapidly in the UK and all over the world, so it was clear to me that this issue needed to be discussed here in the UK – as well as in Nigeria. They say where America leads, Europe follows and the way I see it, where Nigeria leads, Africa follows – so it’s important to analyse the ideas coming out of Nigeria.

Why did Unreported World Team focus on Nigeria’s richest preachers?

We choose our subjects on a number of criteria but zeitgeist was the key one here. People seemed to be talking about it – there was a blog on the Forbes.com website and there seemed to be more and more stories (many of them in P.M.NEWS) about wealthy pastors.

What were the challenges?

Access was the main one. As a TV crew, we need to get permission to film someone or in a private building (which churches are). We had to make it clear we wanted to film in the churches and get their permission to do so. Most churches said no, and some were actually very hostile about it. In some cases we never got past the church reception and it was clear we were being messed around… At one point I was forcibly dragged into Christ Embassy compound and shouted at because I had filmed the building from the outside.

What did you learn?

I learnt that the principles of prosperity preaching are so ingrained in Nigerian culture that it can be hard for many to understand that it’s not the only version of Christianity available. As for the pastors, I suppose I learnt that they are so comfortable in their position they find it odd to be questioned about it. But I also realised that they and their churches are well aware that their version of Christianity is unpalatable to those in The West – and are keen to avoid having to explain themselves if they can.

What did you find out?

Watch the film and you will see..

Most foreigners including journalists dread Lagos. Were you afraid before coming?

Not at all. Ive been robbed in Senegal and Ivory Coast, attacked in Jos and detained by police in Gambia, so Lagos didn’t scare me. What I dreaded most was the traffic – particularly during rainy season. One wrong turn in Lagos and you’re two hours from home instead of 10 minutes!

A lot of Europeans do find Nigerians aggressive, but I understand that it’s mainly just ‘wahala’ and not actually a threat.

When will the documentary air?

The documentary will be shown in the UK on channel 4 at 7:30pm on Friday 28 October. It will be available soon after on the channel4 website: www.channel4.com/unreportedworld

We recently removed the geo-block on our site, so people will be able to view it from Nigeria.

Tell us about Channel 4?

Channel 4 is an independent broadcaster with a public service remit. We are the leading competitor to the BBC here in the UK. We have a reputation for hard-hitting factual programmes.

Your name is Nigerian. Where are you from?

I was born in the UK but have Nigerian roots. My grandfather is the late elder-statesman Steve Rhodes.