Legendary Nollywood actor Chiwetalu Agu has stirred public conversation with a bold message to Nigerians: prayer alone cannot end poverty.
In a viral video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Agu dismissed the widespread belief that financial struggles can be solved through prayers alone, insisting that prosperity comes through hard work, planning, and diligence.
“Poverty does not die by fire. I repeat, poverty cannot die by fire. Pray from now till tomorrow — if you don’t work hard, poverty will deal with you,” Agu declared.
The actor, known for his witty proverbs and outspoken nature, said that while prayer connects people to divine favour, it must be complemented with effort.
“Yes, prayer is powerful. It connects you to divine wisdom and favour. But work is the channel through which blessings manifest,” he said. “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 urged Nigerians to discard what he described as the “manna mentality” — the belief that wealth can come without effort — and instead embrace creativity, productivity, and self-discipline as keys to breaking the cycle of poverty.
His comments have sparked widespread debate on social media, with many praising the actor for delivering what they called “a dose of truth in a prayer-obsessed society.”
