Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, has stirred debates on social media after revealing his commitment to paying tithes.

Speaking in a interview with Rasheedat Ajibade on the Rash4Christ podcast, Ighalo explained his tithing journey began in 2005 when he earned his first salary of ₦15,000 at age 16.

He said his pastor introduced him to the principle then, and he has kept it since.

Odion admitted the discipline was tested when his earnings skyrocketed during his time in Saudi Arabia, where he earned $642,000 per month–roughly N900 million.

“I thought about it for like a month,” he admitted.

He revealed that some friends had questioned his giving of such a huge sum to the church during that period.

Addressing the debates on what pastors do with tithes, Ighalo said “You giving it to pastor, it’s not my problem. According to the word of God, whatever that pastor does with it is him and God. He has to explain to God.”

Odiob tied his life successes to his giving.

“I’m boasting now and I’m saying it with my full chest. No challenges in my life can come today that God cannot take me out from,” he said.

His interview has sparked heated debate online, with some Nigerians praising his faith and others with questions on this athlete’s faith based actions.