Veteran Nollywood actor Chiwetalu Agu has sparked conversations online after declaring that “prayers alone cannot end poverty.”
In a viral video shared via his X handle, the legendary actor known for his witty proverbs and no-nonsense characters in movies, dismissed the popular belief that poverty can simply be prayed away.
“Poverty does not die by fire,” Agu declared. “I repeat, poverty cannot die by fire. Pray from now to tomorrow — if you don’t work hard, poverty will deal with you.”
According to him, while prayer is powerful and necessary, it must be matched with consistent effort, discipline, and a mindset that values productivity over wishful thinking.
“Yes, prayer connects you to divine wisdom and favour, but work is the channel through which blessings manifest. You can pray all day for success, but if you refuse to plan or act, you will still remain poor. God blesses effort, not idleness.”
Agu, known for using humor and irony to pass strong messages, warned Nigerians against what he described as the “manna mentality”; the expectation that wealth or success can appear without corresponding work.
His statement has since stirred reactions across social media, with some Nigerians agreeing that religion has become a cover for laziness, while others argue that prayer still plays a vital role in overcoming systemic poverty.
Regardless of opinion, Chiwetalu Agu’s message is very clear: in today’s Nigeria, faith without hustle is dead.
