THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MOUNTAIN OF FIRE AND MIRACLES MINISTRIES TO EDUCATIONAL SECTOR IN LAGOS AND OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Religion does not only serve spiritual purposes; it is also a social institution for the benefit of mankind. Previous studies on education and the agents designing and implementing them in Nigeria have been from the angles of governmental social works, women studies, psychological, and managerial, perspectives with little attention paid to the contributions of faith-based organisations on the one hand. Works on MFM, has largely been from the historical, beliefs and doctrinal, growth missiological, musicological perspectives with less attention paid to the contributions of MFM to educational sector and advancement in Nigeria. Using a Christian religious perspective, this study examines the intervention of MFM in educational sector methods, outcomes and challenges with a view to appropriating their sociological relevance. Emile Durkheim?s functional theory of religion was adopted. Using a descriptive design, three places in Lagos and Ogun State were purposively selected for this study because the MFM educational sector are strongly reflected there- Iwaya-Yaba, Akoka and Prayer City. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 purposely selected respondents in the selected geographical locations. Data were content analysed. The educational sector of MFM is situated in the three selected locations: Mountain Top Schools (Nursery, Primary and Secondary), Mountain Top University, D.K.O. Scholarship and Sponsorship, MFM and Christian Education, and MFM Academic Awards constituted the educational sector of MFM. Provision of Skill Acquisition, augmentation of Teacher?s salaries in Selected Schools, renovation and building of schools, provision of Awards, provision of scholarships and sponsorship for indigent Students, and spiritual Reawakening were the six strategies adopted by the educational sector. Interviews conducted from the research reveals that the Provision of Skill Acquisition led to entrepreneurial development among students in tertiary institution (MTU), augmentation of Teacher?s salaries in Selected Schools has led to increased motivation, and better performance of the teachers, renovation and building of schools has resulted in enhancing conducive working and learning environment for the teacher-student performance. Provision of Awards, provision of scholarships and sponsorship for indigent Students has led to the retainment of students in school for 92 beneficiaries (2018-2021), which has resulted in a reduction in the number of students dropping out of school. Spiritual Reawakening has resulted in the inculcation of moral inclination in the students. Some challenges facing the educational sector of MFM include nonchalant attitudes of some students and time constraints. The educational sector of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries has led to educational advancement in the society, employment creation for job seekers, increased church membership, laundering of the church?s image and as a veritable tool for evangelism.