Nigerians tackle Seyi’s one million Bible gifts, say suffering citizens need help not scripture
By Habiba Kaita
Seyi Tinubu, son of Bola Ahmed Tinubu the current president of Nigeria, turned 40 on October 13, launched a nationwide project aimed at distributing one million copies of the Bible across Nigeria.
During a thanksgiving service held at the National Christian Centre in Abuja, organised by the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) the project was introduced.
Rev. Ini Ukpuho, Chaplain of the National Christian Centre, praised the effort, saying it would help promote moral discipline and good values among young Nigerians.
Around the same time, thanksgiving services were also held in about 40 churches nationwide, featuring prayers for the Tinubu family and for national unity.
A number of government officials and family supporters described the gesture as a sign of Seyi’s generosity and love for God, but many Nigerians on social media reacted with anger and disbelief.
Social media activist, Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan,was among the critics who questioned both the motive and timing of the Bible distribution. In a viral video, he said it was strange that Seyi, a Muslim, would lead a project centred on the Bible. He also asked why such huge energy and funding were not directed toward creating jobs or improving the lives of struggling citizens.
“You’re not even a Christian, so why share one million Bibles?” he said. “This looks suspicious. We have people suffering and you’re distributing Bibles instead of helping them. That doesn’t make sense.”
VeryDarkMan argued that religion is often used to distract people from demanding real change, adding that Nigerians need working systems, not symbolic gestures. His comments drew mixed reactions, although many agreed with him, others accused him of disrespecting a good deed.
On X (formerly Twitter), Nigerians expressed similar outrage.
One user @it_Rutie tweeted, “Nigeria doesn’t need more prayers or Bibles, we need a working government.”
Another user @LaughNLearnX tweeted: “Sharing one million Bibles may look noble, but it misses the mark. With Nigerians battling many problems, what we need isn’t more religion, it’s real solutions. Honouring Seyi Tinubu at 40 should mean empowering youth, funding education and creating jobs, not symbolic gestures.”
However, some users defended the project.
@LoveLove4104tweeted, “The kind of love being shown to Christians recently is amazing, everyone wants to show that they love Christians.”
The organisers say the project is meant to promote good values and moral change among young people, not politics. However, the reactions show that Nigerians remain divided over the role of religion in national affairs, and how quickly acts of charity can stir public debate.
