Sir Shina Peters Breaks Silence on Pastor Ashimolowo’s Wealth Sermon, Sparks National Debate

Veteran Nigerian juju music icon, Sir Shina Peters (SSP), has reacted to a viral sermon credited to Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, founder of the Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), in which the cleric allegedly made references to the singer’s financial choices as part of a lesson on wealth creation, timing, and delayed gratification. The comments, which have since generated widespread discussion across social media and online forums, have reopened long-standing conversations about prosperity preaching, public comparisons, and the ethics of using real-life figures in sermons.

According to reports, Pastor Ashimolowo made the remarks during a sermon delivered at a recent service held at the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA). In a video clip that later went viral, the preacher was said to have used an illustration involving two Nigerians who supposedly had ₦20 million in 1990. In the narrative, one individual allegedly used the money to build a lavish personal residence, while the other invested it in establishing a bank. The illustration went on to associate Sir Shina Peters with the former and Zenith Bank founder, Jim Ovia, with the latter.

Reacting via his Instagram Story on Wednesday, Sir Shina Peters firmly dismissed the claims attributed to Pastor Ashimolowo, describing them as false, misleading, and unfairly derogatory. The music legend expressed appreciation to fellow entertainer Daddy Showkey for drawing his attention to the clip but made it clear that the story being circulated did not accurately reflect his life or financial history.

Notably, Sir Shina Peters stated that despite the misinformation, he had no intention of pursuing legal action against the cleric. According to him, his decision was guided by his Christian faith and his desire to preserve peace and unity within the body of Christ. SSP, who is now also a pastor, emphasized that he harbors no bitterness or resentment towards Pastor Ashimolowo, stressing that forgiveness and restraint were core principles of his belief.

The veteran musician further reflected on his life journey, stating that God has been faithful to him throughout his career and personal experiences. He explained that success should not be narrowly defined by wealth accumulation alone, nor should people’s lives be reduced to simplistic financial comparisons. For Sir Shina Peters, fulfillment, purpose, and positive impact on others matter far more than how much money one had at a particular point in time or how it was spent.

His response quickly ignited intense online discussions, with Nigerians expressing mixed reactions. Many users criticized the practice of publicly comparing individuals during sermons, arguing that callings, talents, and life paths differ significantly. Several commentators pointed out that Sir Shina Peters is primarily an artist, not a banker or entrepreneur, and that his contribution to Nigerian music and culture cannot be measured by the same yardstick as corporate wealth creation.

Others questioned the factual accuracy of the illustration itself, with many expressing disbelief that ₦20 million could realistically have been available to a musician in 1990, a period when the naira had far greater value and such an amount would have been considered extraordinarily huge. Some recalled that at the time, even modest expenses ran into just a few hundreds of naira, further fueling skepticism about the sermon’s premise.

Critics of prosperity preaching also used the moment to voice broader concerns about materialism in modern religious spaces. They argued that sermons focused excessively on wealth and financial success risk distorting spiritual teachings and placing undue pressure on congregants. According to this group, pastors and motivational speakers should exercise caution, sensitivity, and factual accuracy when using real people as illustrations, especially when such comparisons could damage reputations or oversimplify complex life choices.

On the other hand, a few voices defended the general intent of the sermon, suggesting that it was meant as a metaphor rather than a literal historical account. However, even among those sympathetic to that view, there was agreement that mentioning names made the illustration unnecessary and potentially harmful.

Ultimately, Sir Shina Peters’ calm and measured response has been widely praised for its maturity. Rather than escalating the controversy, he chose to clarify his position, reaffirm his faith, and redirect attention to deeper values beyond wealth. The episode has not only revived interest in SSP’s legacy but has also reignited a national conversation about how success, purpose, and faith should be discussed—both on the pulpit and in the public square.