Nigerian Pastor Sparks Outrage as He Distributes Bras, Wrappers and Pyjamas in Church to Fight Indecent Dressing

A Nigerian cleric has ignited widespread controversy after a viral video surfaced online showing him distributing bras, wrappers, and pyjamas to women in his congregation as part of what he described as a divine mission to combat indecent dressing within the church. The bizarre scene, which has been making waves across social media platforms, has sparked debates about morality, religion, cultural values, and the increasingly bold methods some pastors are adopting in the name of spiritual guidance. In the now widely circulated clip, the cleric can be seen standing before his members, flanked by boxes filled with undergarments and sleepwear, which he handed out one after another to eager congregants. With a commanding tone, he explained that God had instructed him to restore “decency and modesty” among Christian women who, according to him, were losing sight of the virtues of dressing in a way that glorifies God.

The pastor, whose name has not yet been officially disclosed, is heard declaring that modern trends in fashion have turned many women into “tools of temptation” and that the church must take a stand to protect holiness and righteousness. As he handed out bras and wrappers, he urged women to “cover up properly,” warning them that their choice of clothing could be the difference between salvation and condemnation. His remarks quickly became the center of debate, with critics arguing that such practices border on fanaticism and may even violate personal boundaries and dignity. Supporters, however, applauded his boldness, saying he was doing what many men of God are too afraid to confront directly.

The video, which has been shared thousands of times across TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), shows some of the women appearing grateful as they received their new clothing items, while others looked visibly uncomfortable. One clip in particular, where the pastor lifts a wrapper high and declares it to be a weapon against “the devil of indecent fashion,” has been met with a wave of ridicule online, with users creating memes and parody skits. Nigerians on social media are sharply divided. Some believe the cleric has taken his pastoral role too far, turning the pulpit into a stage for theatrics rather than spiritual edification. Others insist that the problem of indecent dressing in churches is real and requires urgent intervention. “We are losing our values because churches no longer preach modesty,” one user wrote, praising the pastor’s actions. Another commenter fired back, saying, “It is not a pastor’s job to police women’s bodies. Distributing bras in church is not ministry, it is mockery.”

Human rights advocates have also weighed in, questioning whether the act infringes upon the privacy and personal freedoms of women. They argue that women should not be subjected to public scrutiny over their choice of clothing, especially in a religious setting that should promote acceptance and spiritual growth rather than shame and control. “Faith should be about inner transformation, not about monitoring women’s wardrobes,” one activist stated. Legal experts have hinted that if any congregant felt coerced or humiliated during the exercise, there could be grounds for claims of emotional distress or harassment, although such cases are rare in Nigerian courts.

The cleric’s defenders, however, argue that his actions were born out of love and concern for the spiritual well-being of his flock. They claim that indecent dressing is a gateway to greater sins and that a true shepherd of God must go to great lengths to protect his sheep. One elder in the church described the distribution as “a prophetic action,” insisting that those mocking the pastor do not understand spiritual matters. According to him, bras and wrappers are merely symbols of a deeper message about purity and self-control.

This incident is not an isolated one. In recent years, Nigerian churches have seen a growing trend of unconventional practices by certain pastors seeking to distinguish themselves in the crowded religious space. From pastors spraying their members with insecticide to “kill demons,” to others making congregants drink fuel or eat grass in the name of miracles, the line between genuine faith and exploitation has often been blurred. Religious analysts say that the current case reflects the desperation of some clerics to remain relevant in a society where competition for members is fierce and social media rewards sensational content. By handing out bras and pyjamas, the pastor has managed to capture global attention, though not without significant backlash.

Sociologists argue that the episode also underscores Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to balance tradition, religion, and modernity. Clothing has long been a sensitive subject in the country, where cultural values often dictate modesty, while globalization and youth culture push for bolder fashion statements. Churches, in particular, have become battlegrounds for this debate, with older generations calling for stricter codes of dress while younger members resist, insisting that spirituality should not be measured by outward appearance.

The cleric’s move has now placed him at the center of a heated national conversation, with many asking if religion should have any role in dictating how people dress. While some leaders of mainstream denominations have distanced themselves from such acts, warning that they could bring Christianity into disrepute, others have remained silent, perhaps wary of offending their own conservative members. It is unclear if the pastor will continue distributing clothing in future services or if the backlash will force him to abandon the practice. What is certain, however, is that the viral video has elevated him from relative obscurity to global notoriety, cementing his place in the long list of controversial Nigerian pastors whose unconventional methods have sparked both ridicule and admiration.

As the debate rages on, many Nigerians are left reflecting on the role of the church in modern society. Should it serve as a moral watchdog, enforcing codes of dressing and behavior, or should it focus purely on spiritual nourishment and leave personal choices to individual conscience? The answer may not be straightforward, but one thing is clear: in a country where religion holds immense sway over daily life, even something as personal as underwear can become the centerpiece of national discourse.

The cleric himself has remained defiant, insisting that he is only obeying God’s instruction and that those mocking him are blind to spiritual truths. “When Noah built the ark, they mocked him until the flood came,” he reportedly told his congregation after the video went viral. “When you stand for holiness, the world will call you foolish. But I will rather obey God than please men.” Whether Nigerians see him as a courageous prophet or a misguided showman, his message has certainly struck a chord, and the images of women collecting bras and wrappers in church will not fade from public memory anytime soon.

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