Gambling Won’t Make You Wealthy, Oyedepo Tells Nigerian Youth
Gambling Won’t Make You Wealthy, Oyedepo Tells Nigerian Youth
By Kunle Awosiyan
The Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has cautioned Nigerian youths against relying on sports betting as a means of making money, describing gambling as a deceptive path to financial success.
Speaking during a Sunday service, the cleric urged young people to abandon the quest for quick wealth and instead embrace hard work, patience and legitimate enterprise as the surest route to lasting prosperity.
“Sports betting is not the way to financial fortune. Stop wasting your destiny,” Oyedepo said, stressing that genuine financial freedom is built on diligence, discipline and value creation rather than games of chance.
Acknowledging the harsh economic realities facing many Nigerians, he noted that while financial progress may appear slow, sustainable success comes through consistent effort and integrity.
“Things may be slow, but it is sure,” he told the congregation, encouraging youths not to be discouraged by temporary setbacks.
To illustrate the rewards of faithfulness and character, Oyedepo recounted how he presented a car to the woman who introduced him to Christianity, 45 years after she mentored him, describing the gesture as a testament to the long-term value of gratitude and enduring relationships.
His comments come amid growing concern over the increasing popularity of sports betting in Nigeria, particularly among unemployed and underemployed youths. Industry observers have linked the surge in gambling to worsening economic conditions, widespread youth unemployment and the aggressive marketing strategies of betting companies.
Financial experts and mental health professionals have repeatedly warned that dependence on sports betting as a source of income often leads to financial losses, debt and gambling addiction rather than sustainable wealth.
Oyedepo urged young Nigerians to channel their energy into productive ventures, insisting that enduring success is achieved through perseverance, honest labour and the creation of value, not by chasing quick wins through gambling.
