‘Poverty Cannot Die by Fire’ – Actor Chiwetalu Agu Tells Nigerians

Veteran Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu, has sparked widespread reactions online after declaring that poverty cannot “die by fire”, insisting that only hard work and diligence can bring lasting prosperity.

In a viral video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Agu dismissed the popular notion that prayer alone can eliminate poverty, arguing that faith without work is ineffective.

“Poverty does not die by fire. I repeat, poverty cannot die by fire. Pray from now till tomorrow — if you don’t work hard, poverty will deal with you,” the actor said.

According to him, while prayer is powerful and connects believers to divine wisdom and favour, it becomes meaningless without corresponding effort.

“Yes, prayer connects you to divine wisdom and favour, but work is the channel through which blessings manifest. You can pray all day for success, but if you refuse to plan or act, you will still remain poor. God blesses effort, not idleness,” he added.

Agu urged Nigerians to abandon the “manna mentality”,  the belief that wealth can appear miraculously and instead embrace hard work, discipline, and planning as keys to success.