When you look at the massive Hand of God Auditorium built by Pastor David Ibiyeomie, it is hard not to imagine something different.

What if a structure of that size, with all the money, planning, engineering and resources that went into it, were a massive factory producing goods for Nigerians and the international market?

Imagine the jobs

Just imagine the number of young Nigerians who could be employed there: engineers, technicians, machine operators, electricians, cleaners, security staff, accountants, drivers and thousands of other workers earning salaries and caring for their families.

Think about the businesses that would spring up around it. Food vendors, transport operators, suppliers and small business owners would all benefit from the economic activity.

And imagine if that factory produced the things Nigeria currently spends billions importing. It could strengthen the economy, encourage local production and create opportunities for future generations.

This is not an attack on the church

This is not an argument against Christianity, churches or places of worship. Everyone has the right to practise their religion, and religious organisations also provide jobs and contribute to society.

But Nigerians must begin to ask serious questions about our priorities as a nation.

A nation searching for jobs

Millions of young Nigerians are searching for work. Many graduates have certificates but nowhere to work. Some have spent years learning skills, yet there are few industries where they can put those skills to use.

Meanwhile, the country keeps celebrating enormous buildings without giving the same attention to factories, industries and other investments that could provide lasting employment.

Imagine if wealthy Nigerians, including religious leaders, invested more heavily in manufacturing alongside their religious projects. Imagine the difference it could make.

Prayer and production

A nation cannot pray its way into industrial development without also investing in production, skills, infrastructure and jobs.

Nigeria needs churches, yes. But it also desperately needs factories where young people can work, earn a decent living and build their future.

Over to you

If you had the money to build an auditorium as big as Pastor Ibiyeomie's Hand of God, would you build a church, or a factory that could employ thousands of Nigerians?

Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has arrived in Port Harcourt to lead the dedication of a giant new church auditorium built by Pastor David Ibiyeomie's Salvation Ministries.

The arrival

Oyedepo reportedly landed in Rivers State by private jet on the evening of Thursday, 5 November 2026, and was received by Ibiyeomie and a delegation of ministers. The group then travelled in a motorcade to the cathedral complex, where church leaders welcomed them with cheers. Videos of the arrival have been widely shared online.

The cathedral

The dedication of the Hand of God Cathedral was scheduled for 10am on Friday, 6 November, at the ministry's headquarters on the Port Harcourt International Airport Road in Igwuruta. According to reports, the auditorium can seat up to 120,000 people and covers about 56,000 square metres, with a five-wing design meant to resemble an open hand. Reports have described it as bigger than the 109,000-capacity Ark auditorium built by Oyedepo's church. The church invited worshippers from across Nigeria and beyond to attend.

Background

Ibiyeomie founded Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt and is widely seen as a spiritual son of Oyedepo, which has given the event special meaning for members of both churches. The pastor has been in the news this week over a sermon urging Christians to pay their tithes before spending money on Christmas clothes.

How people reacted

Church members celebrated the occasion online, calling it a historic moment. Others debated the cost of building such large church buildings at a time of economic hardship, while supporters said the project shows what a faith community can achieve.

Suspected terrorists have reportedly killed two people, including a church choirmaster, and abducted 20 others in an attack on a community in southern Kaduna State.

What happened

The attack on Akwando community in Kachia Local Government Area took place on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, according to the Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA). In a statement on Thursday, the association's president, Dr Joseph Ariko, and its publicity secretary said the attack had heightened fear among residents. The association released a list of those it said had been abducted, which includes several members of the same families.

Earlier attacks

KUDA said the attack was the latest in a series on communities in Kuturmi land. It recalled an attack on Ariko community on Easter Sunday, in which five people were reportedly killed at the scene and 17 others later died in captivity, as well as an attack on Awon community in which two people were killed and 11 abducted. Police and the military had not publicly commented on the latest incident at the time of writing.

Background

Parts of Kaduna State have suffered repeated attacks by armed groups for years, with killings and kidnapping for ransom common in rural communities. This week, bandits also demanded more than ₦100 million for the release of Islamiyya students abducted in neighbouring Niger State.

What happens next

The association has called on the federal and state governments and security agencies to rescue the abducted residents and protect communities in the area.

Enugu Air, the airline owned by the Enugu State government, says it has secured approval to operate flights between Lagos and London Gatwick Airport.

What was announced

In an announcement reported on Friday, 6 November 2026, the airline said Omni-Blu Aviation had been appointed as the designated operator for the route under a partnership to support its international expansion. It said the service would improve links between Nigeria and the United Kingdom and create opportunities for business travel and trade.

What is still unknown

The airline has not announced a start date, how many flights a week it plans to run, ticket prices or how to book. The approval does not mean commercial flights will begin immediately, as further operational requirements may still need to be met.

Background

Air Peace began flying between Lagos and London Gatwick in 2024 after years in which the route was dominated by foreign carriers. Nigerian airlines have been trying to expand on the busy Nigeria–UK corridor, which is used by students, families and business travellers. Enugu Air is part of the Enugu State government's plans to improve transport links in the South-East. The announcement comes as domestic fares to the South-East and South-South for Christmas have risen sharply.

Why it matters

More Nigerian airlines on the route could increase competition and give travellers more choice, although new international services often take time to launch.