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Social Media, Materialism, and the Rise of Spiritual Entrepreneurs: A Call for Youths to Focus on Skill, Hard Work, and Authentic Success

The rise of social media has reshaped society in profound ways, particularly in how people perceive success, wealth, and the means by which individuals acquire their material possessions. Among the many influences shaping modern culture, social media has become a powerful vehicle for self-expression and status signaling. Young footballers like Victor Osimhen, tech entrepreneurs such as Blord, content creators like Sabinus, and musicians like Burna Boy proudly showcase their material acquisitions on social media platforms. Their lavish lifestyles—gleaming cars, expensive clothes, homes, and exotic vacations—are seen as symbols of success, and they naturally motivate many to work harder and achieve their personal goals. After all, if these individuals could attain such wealth, why can’t others?

However, this spectacle of materialism extends far beyond the realm of traditional celebrities. On social media, even pastors and native doctors—figures who occupy distinct social and cultural spaces—are increasingly part of the conversation around success and wealth. The display of material wealth by these figures raises significant questions about what it means to truly inspire others and what kind of messages are being sent to impressionable youths.

The Rising Trend of Materialism in Religious and Spiritual Spaces

In Nigeria, the rise of churches and shrines, often linked to figures such as pastors and native doctors, has created an epidemic of spiritual entrepreneurship. Many of these religious leaders and spiritualists are seen on social media flaunting luxury cars, designer clothes, sprawling mansions, and extravagant lifestyles. At a glance, their social media pages may resemble those of pop stars and wealthy business magnates. But when these figures—who claim to offer spiritual services or divine intervention—showcase their material wealth, they send a message that equates success to having large amounts of money, and that the path to prosperity is best found through religious or spiritual pursuits.

For many young people, this can be a deeply seductive idea. In a country where economic opportunities are scarce and unemployment is high, the prospect of achieving wealth through spiritual or religious means can seem more appealing than hard work or education. Why pursue a business venture or a skilled trade when you can become a pastor or a native doctor, seemingly earning riches through divine favor? Why take the long, difficult road to success when the shortcut appears to lie in religious or spiritual entrepreneurship?

This phenomenon is problematic for several reasons. The first and most glaring issue is that it misguides young people into thinking that they can skip the hard work required to build a successful life. While the success stories of people like Osimhen, Blord, and Burna Boy are rooted in talent, perseverance, and sometimes years of struggle, the success stories of pastors and native doctors may be based on manipulation, misrepresentation, or pure luck rather than any tangible effort or skill. When pastors and native doctors flaunt their wealth, they effectively advertise a fast-track to financial success that bypasses the traditional avenues of personal development, such as education and skill-building.

The Role of Social Media in Shaping Aspirations

Social media platforms are particularly dangerous in this regard. They blur the lines between reality and illusion, creating a distorted image of success. For many young people, what they see online is what they come to believe is the ultimate measure of success. The flashy cars, expensive watches, and luxurious lifestyles are shown to be the end goal, while the means by which those successes were achieved—whether through hard work, education, or a well-thought-out business strategy—are often hidden from view.

While figures like Osimhen, Blord, Sabinus, and Burna Boy may offer a more grounded sense of inspiration—motivating youths to pursue their dreams through talent, hard work, and creativity—the same cannot always be said for the pastors and native doctors. Instead of offering mentorship or guidance on how to acquire useful life skills, they offer promises of quick fixes to life’s problems. This sets up a dangerous cycle, where young people abandon the pursuit of meaningful work and instead chase illusory shortcuts to wealth and power, all the while failing to recognize the true costs of those shortcuts.

The Need for Role Models Who Advocate for Skill and Hard Work

It is crucial for communities to understand the importance of displaying the right kinds of role models to inspire younger generations. When people like Mark Angel—famous for his work in comedy and content creation—showcase their material wealth, they simultaneously offer a glimpse into the journey that led to their success. In contrast to the flashy displays of some pastors or native doctors, Mark Angel’s rise to fame was built on his talent, his team’s creative efforts, and the work ethic required to succeed in the competitive world of online content creation.

Rather than romanticizing the luxurious lives of pastors and spiritual leaders, it would be far more beneficial for role models to highlight the value of learning a trade, pursuing education, and using one’s talents to build a successful business. This message should be promoted consistently on social media, encouraging youths to understand that success is often the result of sustained effort, resilience, and a willingness to learn new skills, not the result of shortcuts or spiritual handouts.

It is important to make it clear that success and wealth are not inherently bad. Everyone wants to achieve financial stability, and the pursuit of wealth is a legitimate goal. However, the key is to do so through legitimate means. Aspiring pastors and native doctors should be encouraged to focus on their spiritual missions without being driven primarily by material wealth. If they can build meaningful connections with their communities, spread genuine messages of hope, and provide tangible value to others, they will be able to find fulfillment in their work beyond just the pursuit of material gains.

The Dangers of Spiritual Shortcuts

There is a critical issue in the proliferation of native doctors and pastors flaunting their wealth online. Too many youths—unfamiliar with the intricacies of spirituality and religious practice—are lured into visiting these individuals without a clear understanding of what they are seeking. It is not uncommon for people to seek “Oke Ogwu” (spiritual empowerment) from native doctors in the hopes of gaining wealth, success, or protection without taking the necessary steps to build a legitimate career or pursue practical goals.

The role of spiritual leaders—whether they are pastors, native doctors, or other figures—is to provide guidance and support. However, it becomes problematic when these leaders use their influence to encourage financial gain through spiritual shortcuts. This temptation can undermine the critical lessons of hard work, sacrifice, and persistence that young people need to learn in order to succeed in life. Instead of visiting a native doctor to seek quick wealth, young people should be encouraged to first focus on developing tangible skills that will benefit them in the long run.

For example, when people visit a native doctor, they should be counseled to take the time to learn a trade or gain employment before seeking any spiritual intervention. Whether one chooses to become a tailor, a mechanic, a chef, or an engineer, the foundation of financial success lies in the ability to build a skill set that is valuable in the marketplace. Spiritual empowerment should come as a supplement to, not a replacement for, hard work and dedication.

Conclusion

The epidemic of materialism in Nigerian churches, shrines, and on social media is deeply concerning. While the success of athletes, entrepreneurs, and entertainers can serve as inspiration, it is crucial to be mindful of how success is portrayed, especially when it comes to spiritual leaders and practitioners. When pastors and native doctors showcase their wealth, they risk perpetuating the idea that quick financial success is achievable without the necessary personal effort or sacrifice. This not only misguides the youth but also distracts them from the importance of learning skills, building businesses, and pursuing legitimate career paths.

It is essential for individuals in positions of influence to use their platforms wisely. Figures like Akwa Okuko Tiwalu Aki and Mmiri Enweiro, known for their roles as spiritual leaders, should use social media not just to showcase their material wealth, but also to impart valuable lessons on the importance of self-reliance, education, and hard work. In doing so, they would help steer the next generation away from the temptation of shortcuts, guiding them toward meaningful success and a more balanced understanding of what it truly means to live a prosperous life.

The path to success is neither easy nor quick. It requires patience, learning, skill-building, and sometimes even failure. But those who choose the path of diligence and resilience are more likely to achieve lasting success, both materially and spiritually.

Excerpt from ChukwumaNdiogulu