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Former Kogi State senator and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Dino Melaye, has criticised government funding of religious activities, arguing that public funds should instead be directed towards infrastructure, healthcare and other areas of national development.
Melaye questioned why the government should spend billions of naira sponsoring religious pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem when churches, mosques and wealthy individuals could support people who wish to embark on such journeys.
He argued that religious pilgrimage should not be treated as a government responsibility, stressing that neither Christianity nor Islam makes travelling to holy sites a condition for making heaven.
According to him, the government should be more concerned about the poor state of the country’s roads and hospitals rather than spending public money on religious activities.
He said, “Why will government be spending billions of naira that is supposed to be meant for development? Our roads, you know their state in this country. Our hospitals, you know their state in this country. We cannot prioritise our spending.”
Melaye also questioned the effectiveness of pilgrimage when some people return from religious journeys without changing their behaviour.
He made the point while referring to Jerusalem, saying that even around places associated with religious pilgrimage, immoral activities could still be found.
“Even Jerusalem that you are going to, just close to Mount Sinai where you will go to, there’s an ashawo joint by the edge there,” he said.
Despite his criticism of government involvement in religion, Melaye said he considers himself a spiritual person and was not opposed to people’s religious beliefs.
“I am a spiritual person, but my spirituality and celestial relationship with God is personal,” he said.
He maintained that public resources meant for citizens’ development should not be diverted to religious activities, arguing that religion is fundamentally a personal matter.
Melaye further cited his experience attending United Nations events, including the United Nations General Assembly, to support his argument that institutions can function without formal religious prayers.
He said there was neither an open prayer nor a closing prayer at the United Nations events he attended, yet the organisation continued to operate successfully.
“Religion is personal. It’s individualistic,” Melaye said, adding that individuals would ultimately be accountable for their relationship with God.
He called on the government to reconsider its spending priorities and focus more on strengthening the Nigerian economy.
“We need to reprioritise. We need to build our economy,” he said.
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Government have no Buisness sponsoring religious activities including marriages. pic.twitter.com/j3ZE9gEYQ4
— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@_dinomelaye) September 15, 2026