Nigerian Twitter is on fire. Nigerian WhatsApp groups are pinging. And at the centre of it all is one Pentecostal pastor who walked up to his pulpit and decided — enough is enough.
What Did He Actually Say?
Founder and presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries, David Ibiyeomie, has sparked conversations online after cautioning church members against chewing gum, drinking water, and using mobile phones during worship services.
Three things. No gum. No water. No phone. In church.
The cleric made the remarks during a church service, emphasising the importance of maintaining reverence, discipline, and proper conduct inside the worship environment.
Now before you laugh — let’s actually break each one down, because this is where the debate gets juicy.
For more Nigerian news and trending stories, check out our post on ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman sentenced to 75 years in prison for ₦33.8 billion fraud.
The Gum Rule
Pastor Ibiyeomie addressed congregants directly, stating that certain habits commonly seen during services do not align with the level of decorum expected in church. According to him, members should avoid chewing gum while inside the church auditorium, stressing that the worship space should be treated with seriousness and respect.
Okay, honestly? Not a hill most people are dying on. Chewing gum in church has always been giving “back of the classroom” energy. This one is not the controversy.
The Water Rule — This Is Where It Gets Spicy
He also discouraged worshippers from drinking water during service sessions, advising anyone who needs to do so to briefly step outside before returning.
Step outside. To drink water. During a Nigerian church service. That can last three, four, sometimes five hours in the heat. This is where Twitter lost its mind — and honestly, rightfully so. The comments sections wrote themselves.
The Phone Rule
Ibiyeomie also instructed members not to use their phones during church services. He maintained that mobile devices can easily distract both users and those seated nearby, reducing concentration during prayers, teachings, and other spiritual activities. This one is actually the most defensible argument of the three. We’ve all sat next to someone whose phone screen is brighter than the projector at the front. Nobody is focused on the sermon when their neighbour is scrolling TikTok during praise and worship. The pastor has a point here — even if the delivery set the internet on fire.
“We Are Not Like Other Churches”
The pastor further contrasted his church’s practices with what he described as more relaxed standards in some Pentecostal congregations, noting that Salvation Ministries maintains stricter guidelines regarding conduct during services.
Translation: we run a tight ship. And Pastor Ibiyeomie has never been known for being shy about saying exactly what he thinks — this moment was very much on brand.
The Internet Reacted — Both Ways
His comments have since generated mixed reactions across social media, with some users agreeing that churches should uphold discipline and minimise distractions during worship, while others argued that access to water and mobile devices can sometimes be necessary, especially during lengthy services.
And that right there is the real conversation. Because Nigerian church services are not thirty-minute affairs. These are full productions — hours of worship, prayer, preaching, announcements, offerings, more preaching. Telling a nursing mother, an elderly person, or someone managing a health condition that they cannot drink water during that entire time hits very differently.
Why This Story Matters Beyond the Drama
The statement highlights how issues of decorum and tradition remain important topics within modern Christian worship spaces in Nigeria and beyond.
This isn’t just about one pastor and his rules. It’s a mirror held up to a bigger question that millions of Nigerians are quietly asking — where is the line between spiritual discipline and basic human dignity? Who gets to draw it? And what does reverence actually look like in 2026?
The church has always been one of the most powerful institutions in Nigerian life. So when a pastor with a massive following speaks, Nigeria listens — and then immediately takes to X to argue about it for 48 hours straight. 😂
Whether you agree with Pastor Ibiyeomie or not — one thing is certain. Nobody in Salvation Ministries is chewing Spearmint this Sunday. 🙂
