The Prosperity Gospel and Its Sociological Effects on Church Members in North Central Nigeria: An Empirical Assessment

This study presents an empirical assessment of the sociological effects of prosperity gospel teaching on the beliefs, behaviours, and social relationships of church members in North Central Nigeria, covering Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, and Plateau states. While the theological critiques of the prosperity gospel are well documented in the international literature, empirical sociological analyses of its effects on Nigerian believers remain limited, particularly outside the South West. Using a quantitative survey design supplemented by qualitative interviews, data are collected from 450 church members across eighteen Pentecostal and charismatic churches in the six states. Validated scales measure prosperity gospel belief intensity, as well as outcome variables including financial behaviour, social solidarity attitudes, health-seeking behaviour, and subjective wellbeing. Multiple regression analysis is employed to identify independent predictors of sociological outcomes. Findings indicate that high prosperity gospel belief intensity is positively associated with financial risk-taking and church giving but negatively associated with savings, charitable giving to non-church causes, and uptake of preventive healthcare. The moderating role of education and theological literacy is significant. The study recommends the development of theologically balanced economic discipleship curricula for Pentecostal churches and calls on denominational bodies to address prosperity gospel excess through institutional doctrinal accountability. Keywords: prosperity gospel, sociological effects, empirical study, North Central Nigeria, Pentecostalism