From Industry to Altar: Nigeria’s Job Seekers Turn to Prayer for Work
As the unemployment crisis deepens, a curious phenomenon unfolds: once-bustling factories, the heart of industrial growth, are now being transformed into places of worship. These sites, which once thrived with the sound of machinery and ambition, now resonate with the prayers of those seeking the very jobs that vanished with their closure.
Flashback to the 80s and 90s: The Hardel & Enic Group was the crown jewel of Nigerian industry, capturing the nation’s admiration and respect.
Nestled along Funsho Williams Avenue, adjacent to the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, this factory was a beacon of industrial might.
Renowned for its major construction projects, including the legendary Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Hardel & Enic was a powerhouse that significantly contributed to Nigeria’s economy during the military regime.
Founded by the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, a prominent figure in the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the company quickly ascended to become a titan in property development.
At its peak, Hardel & Enic employed over 4,000 individuals and expanded its reach to multiple locations, standing shoulder to shoulder with other industry leaders of the time, such as Dunlop Tyres, Michelin Tyres, and Apapa Bakery.
These companies were not just businesses; they were the lifelines of Nigeria’s economic growth, their buzzing operations a testament to a flourishing industry.
However, the tides of fortune began to turn. Rising production costs, erratic power supply, and oppressive taxation strangled Hardel & Enic and its contemporaries, leading to their inevitable decline.
Once vibrant factories fell silent, their workers displaced, their industrial legacies left to fade into obscurity.
Seeking greener pastures, these once-great companies either shuttered their doors or relocated abroad, leaving behind ghostly remnants of a bygone industrial era.
The exodus was significant; Hardel & Enic made the pivotal decision to downsize its Lagos operations and move to the Oriental Plaza office in Owerri, Imo State.
Ben Akajiaku, a representative for the company, noted that the dual operational model was no longer sustainable amid escalating challenges.
Yet, Hardel & Enic’s departure marked the dawn of a new chapter for its former site, as it was repurposed by Zoom Mobile, a telecommunications company that once operated as Reliance Telecommunications Limited.
Established in 1998, Zoom Mobile capitalized on Nigeria’s telecom deregulation, launching its services in 2001. Despite a promising start, Zoom Mobile faced fierce competition and began to falter.
By May 2012, the company had laid off 200 employees due to financial losses, ultimately leading to its closure, while its once-thriving base became The Covenant Christian Centre—now known as ‘The Covenant Place.’
Under the leadership of Pastor Poju Oyemade, this vibrant church has blossomed into a congregation of over 5,000 members, turning a former hub of industry into a sanctuary of hope and faith.
But this transition—from factories to faith—is not an isolated incident. The narrative echoes across Nigeria, as industrial sites morph into places of worship, reflecting the economic shifts that have left many searching for work in the very prayer halls that occupy what once were their livelihoods.
A Shift in the Economy: From Industry to Faith
In a startling transformation, the site of Nigerian Mineral Water Industries Limited in Onitsha is now shared by three different churches, including the notable Dunamis International Gospel Centre, founded in 1996.
The change is striking; the once-bustling hub of soft drink production has been all but erased, a mere memory now overshadowed by the rise of spiritual gatherings.
Similarly, the premises of an aluminum company, once a leading name in roofing sheets, now serves as the home for the Living Faith Ministry, better known as Winners Chapel.
The Harsh Reality: An Economy in Decline
Experts warn that this trend of churches overtaking factories signals a troubling reality for Nigeria’s economy. The relentless pressure of high operating costs continues to strangle industries, pushing many to the brink.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s unemployment rate edged up to 5.3% in early 2024, with female unemployment at a staggering 6.2%—higher than the rate for men.
Dr. Vincent Ezeme, a political economist, voiced concern over the growing unemployment and the decline of vital industries, lamenting the ironic twist where people pray in churches that now occupy the very factories that once provided them with jobs.
He emphasizes that without government intervention and business-friendly policies, Nigerians will continue to gather in prayer, hoping for jobs that increasingly feel beyond reach.
“While churches offer some employment, they cannot replace the vast number of jobs lost in factories,” Ezeme stated, stressing the urgent need for actionable reforms to revitalize the economy.
Learning from the West: A Different Approach
Contrasting sharply with Nigeria, the UK and U.S. have repurposed many abandoned churches into thriving businesses and community spaces. Here, churches are transformed into apartments, art galleries, and productive ventures that contribute to local economies.
In contrast, Nigeria sees a growing number of once-productive factories giving way to places of worship rather than innovation.
For instance, in Lagos, the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry has taken over a former showroom for a Lebanese generator company that succumbed to the influx of cheaper imports.
These transformations, while offering spiritual refuge, highlight a deeper economic malaise that demands attention.
The Stark Reality: 800 Companies Closed
A report from the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce revealed that over 800 companies shuttered their operations between 2009 and 2011, driven by an increasingly hostile business environment.
Dr. Muda Yusuf, a former director-general at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce, points to government policies as a leading cause of these business failures, adding that churches are simply filling the void left by struggling industries.
“The churches are thriving in a way that businesses aren’t. They’re stepping in to occupy spaces that would otherwise remain vacant,” he observed.
Confronting the Future: The Need for Change
As the economic landscape shifts further, experts urge for reforms to reinvigorate the industrial sector, insisting that without addressing the structural issues plaguing the economy, more factories will fade away, leaving behind only the echo of prayers.
“The government has the blueprint, they know what needs to be done. It’s time to act before we lose more of our industrial heritage to places of worship,” Ajibola concluded.
