Bishop Priscilla Otuya, Founder of KOGA FAITH Foundation Nigeria & US, has stated that Nigeria's problem is not a lack of ideas or prayers, but a fundamental misunderstanding of faith. In an exclusive interview with The Guardian, Otuya emphasized that the country is ripe for "faith-based solutions," a model that moves beyond religion into practical, profitable, and people-impacting development. This approach, she believes, can bring about positive change in Nigeria.
Otuya's 'Vision for New Nigeria' was born in 2005 during a Democratic Leadership Forum Training Workshop (DLTW) organized by the African Leadership Forum, founded by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The vision led to the establishment of the New Nigeria Leadership Forum (NNLF), which hosted prominent Nigerians, including Dr. Pat Utomi. According to Otuya, her vision is a calling that has been a burden since childhood, driving her to see things differently and act accordingly.
At the heart of Otuya's message is the Hebrew concept of 'Avodah,' which means work, worship, and service are one. She argues that dividing worship has been a major setback for Africa and that countries like the United States have long leveraged faith-based initiatives, with a dedicated office in the White House since the era of former President George Bush. Otuya questions why Nigeria has not adopted a similar approach.
Otuya lamented that the major challenge since 2005 has been misconception, with people confusing faith-driven organizations with charity NGOs looking for donations. She emphasized that her organization, KOGA FAITH Foundation, is not a charity but a social enterprise that uses its own resources to drive development. Otuya cited examples of women like Mrs. Ibukun Awosika and Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, who are believers doing things on a big scale with their own resources.
On the state of the nation, Otuya described Nigeria as "a child placed in a cradle at birth and never allowed to grow beyond it." She insisted that Nigeria is ordained for greatness and is being reshaped by God, urging citizens to stop negative confessions about the country. According to Otuya, the country's problem is not its age but its failure to develop beyond its initial political arrangement.
Otuya does not believe that simply having men of God enter politics will automatically change things, but the Church must be involved in how people are governed. She cautioned against Christians constantly fighting government, saying correction should be the goal, not condemnation. Otuya emphasized the importance of building a relationship between leadership and spiritual authority.
Ahead of 2027, Otuya urged Nigerians to stop making everything about the person in the presidential seat and focus on solutions. Her vision for the next five to 10 years is to build KOGA FAITH Foundation into a house of solutions and a holding structure for great ideas that go beyond conferences into actual projects and problem-solving.
Key points
- Bishop Priscilla Otuya advocates for "faith-based solutions" to drive development in Nigeria.
- Otuya's approach emphasizes the integration of work, worship, and service.
- She envisions KOGA FAITH Foundation as a house of solutions for Nigeria.
