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Believers and Hustlers
Sylva Nze Ifedigbo can stand on the same podium as masters like Gurcharan Das. What makes his writing plain and unique at the same time, is the elegance of his prose. He writes with such clarity, that one does not need to be told that he is one of the best storytellers of his generation.
- Onyeka Nwelue , author of The Strangers of Braamfontein
Believers and Hustlers is the contemporary Nigerian novel, doing on the page what Wole Soyinka's Jero plays did on the stage. Mr. Ifedigbo's writerly instincts probe, with uncanny accuracy, the religion-media matrix and the result is a milestone of a book, a book with a passport into most of Africa.
- Tade Ipadeola, author of The Sahara Testaments.
In this new offering, Nze Sylva’s characters come fully formed and we can see the backstory to why they are placed in each chapter and in the story itself. For the first time, the reader is allowed to form their opinions and draw conclusions for themselves on the different themes of family, sacrifice, religion and spirituality explored expertly in this book.
I commend this book by the mercies of our faithful God to you - churchgoer, freethinker but most importantly, a reader like you to see for yourself whether Ifenna deserved his fate in the end.
- Ijeoma Ucheibe , Literary Curator at the Bagusng
- Onyeka Nwelue , author of The Strangers of Braamfontein
Believers and Hustlers is the contemporary Nigerian novel, doing on the page what Wole Soyinka's Jero plays did on the stage. Mr. Ifedigbo's writerly instincts probe, with uncanny accuracy, the religion-media matrix and the result is a milestone of a book, a book with a passport into most of Africa.
- Tade Ipadeola, author of The Sahara Testaments.
In this new offering, Nze Sylva’s characters come fully formed and we can see the backstory to why they are placed in each chapter and in the story itself. For the first time, the reader is allowed to form their opinions and draw conclusions for themselves on the different themes of family, sacrifice, religion and spirituality explored expertly in this book.
I commend this book by the mercies of our faithful God to you - churchgoer, freethinker but most importantly, a reader like you to see for yourself whether Ifenna deserved his fate in the end.
- Ijeoma Ucheibe , Literary Curator at the Bagusng
378 pages, Paperback
Published November 3, 2021
10 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 18, 2022
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and thus all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
This is my first book by Sylva Nze Ifedigbo and I did not know what to expect with this one. The book tells the story of Ifenna who is an ambitious journalist that is tasked with reporting on a megachurch in Lagos. Similarly to a journalist with a knack for a good story decides to investigate the mysterious death of a pastor. The book is well balanced on humor, mystery and culture. The author did a wonderful job of pacing the book and character development.
This is my first book by Sylva Nze Ifedigbo and I did not know what to expect with this one. The book tells the story of Ifenna who is an ambitious journalist that is tasked with reporting on a megachurch in Lagos. Similarly to a journalist with a knack for a good story decides to investigate the mysterious death of a pastor. The book is well balanced on humor, mystery and culture. The author did a wonderful job of pacing the book and character development.
September 15, 2022
Ifenna Obumselu, a young journalist, is sent to cover the inauguration of ‘the biggest church in the world,’ with a seating capacity of 1,20,000 worshippers. This is Heaven’s Gate cathedral, the new global headquarters of Rivers of Joy Church in Lagos, Nigeria. The church is headed by Pastor Nicholas Adejuwon, the Daddy Founder, and his wife, Pastor Nkechi, also known as Mummy General.
When he steers away from the scripted question and asks about the death of a pastor while the church was under construction, Ifenna is fired from his job and becomes suspicious about Pastor Nick’s actions and motivations.
He decides to start an anonymous blog to expose some of the corruption he has encountered.
Will he succeed in exposing the corruption? And will his reporting make a difference?
The chapters alternate between the 3rd person past tense PoVs of Ifenna, Nick and Nkechi.
The narrative included a lot of words and expressions from Igbo and Yoruba. These added a lot of colour without taking away from our understanding of the story or our enjoyment of the writing. The only word I knew was wahala, which means trouble.
The similes were rooted in the culture.
Like ants to sugar.
The television shrieked, like freshly cut onions poured into hot groundnut oil.
Eyes like the red of hibiscus.
Like puffs of pepper spray.
The forlorn look on a character’s face is described as: like the chaff of an orange after all the juice had been squeezed out of it.
There were a lot of minor characters who are unrelated to the main plot, but help us understand the main characters better.
The Believers and Hustlers of the title refers to the prey and the predator. The book highlights the quirks that dot religious circles, the rampant corruption with people fooled by pastors into buying into a gospel of prosperity, with ordinary people being asked to pay for luxuries for the pastors and church leaders, who sell high-priced tickets to heaven. The racket that the healing sessions are, how they make money off the desperation of the gullible, the hypocrisy of trading in religious symbols while lacking true faith.
But religious corruption isn’t the only problem. Traffic police run their own racket, extorting money. The journalists get paid by the businesses they cover, the editors want their cut.
One interesting thing I learned was that Nigerian Christians cut cakes after counting down to the spelling of the name of Jesus and that Nigeria has a tradition of renaming cars they do not manufacture.
I particularly liked Ifenna’s writing, visible in his pieces for the newspaper and in his blog. The stories he writes are about the degradation of the human condition. There are versions of this in every country. His blog too is well written, the words chosen carefully for the impact they could achieve, the posts charged with passion and overflowing with sarcasm.
This was my first novel by a NIgerian author and I enjoyed it. The author adopts a teasing yet indulgent tone towards his characters, and towards the culture as a whole, their foibles and eccentricities, describing the easy manner in which people pick up foreign accents. The links between present day events and the flashbacks, very tricky to get right, were handled smoothly.
The ending was believable, rooted in reality, yet I found it disturbing and disappointing. I had hoped for a resolution that would resolve the problem the book began with, but I guess it can never be resolved. As long as there are believers in this world, there will be hustlers too.
I highly recommend this one.
When he steers away from the scripted question and asks about the death of a pastor while the church was under construction, Ifenna is fired from his job and becomes suspicious about Pastor Nick’s actions and motivations.
He decides to start an anonymous blog to expose some of the corruption he has encountered.
Will he succeed in exposing the corruption? And will his reporting make a difference?
The chapters alternate between the 3rd person past tense PoVs of Ifenna, Nick and Nkechi.
The narrative included a lot of words and expressions from Igbo and Yoruba. These added a lot of colour without taking away from our understanding of the story or our enjoyment of the writing. The only word I knew was wahala, which means trouble.
The similes were rooted in the culture.
Like ants to sugar.
The television shrieked, like freshly cut onions poured into hot groundnut oil.
Eyes like the red of hibiscus.
Like puffs of pepper spray.
The forlorn look on a character’s face is described as: like the chaff of an orange after all the juice had been squeezed out of it.
There were a lot of minor characters who are unrelated to the main plot, but help us understand the main characters better.
The Believers and Hustlers of the title refers to the prey and the predator. The book highlights the quirks that dot religious circles, the rampant corruption with people fooled by pastors into buying into a gospel of prosperity, with ordinary people being asked to pay for luxuries for the pastors and church leaders, who sell high-priced tickets to heaven. The racket that the healing sessions are, how they make money off the desperation of the gullible, the hypocrisy of trading in religious symbols while lacking true faith.
But religious corruption isn’t the only problem. Traffic police run their own racket, extorting money. The journalists get paid by the businesses they cover, the editors want their cut.
One interesting thing I learned was that Nigerian Christians cut cakes after counting down to the spelling of the name of Jesus and that Nigeria has a tradition of renaming cars they do not manufacture.
I particularly liked Ifenna’s writing, visible in his pieces for the newspaper and in his blog. The stories he writes are about the degradation of the human condition. There are versions of this in every country. His blog too is well written, the words chosen carefully for the impact they could achieve, the posts charged with passion and overflowing with sarcasm.
This was my first novel by a NIgerian author and I enjoyed it. The author adopts a teasing yet indulgent tone towards his characters, and towards the culture as a whole, their foibles and eccentricities, describing the easy manner in which people pick up foreign accents. The links between present day events and the flashbacks, very tricky to get right, were handled smoothly.
The ending was believable, rooted in reality, yet I found it disturbing and disappointing. I had hoped for a resolution that would resolve the problem the book began with, but I guess it can never be resolved. As long as there are believers in this world, there will be hustlers too.
I highly recommend this one.
October 13, 2025
I love how this book was written, and how the themes were tackled. Many so-called Nigerian "Men of God" aren't what they seem - they'll take and take until they bleed you dry, manipulating and gaslighting you, all while claiming to serve the Living God, this same God that has given us direct access to him!!
Alot of the things that happened in this book hit too close to home, because the things these so-called men of God do behind closed doors are disgusting! To be honest, I had a lot of emotions while reading this, because we've come to an era where the church is being treated like a money-making machines rather than the place of peace and love it's supposed to be.
May God help us to get it right! I really appreciated that the author used this book to set some things right. That ending with Ifenna.... hmmmmm
Alot of the things that happened in this book hit too close to home, because the things these so-called men of God do behind closed doors are disgusting! To be honest, I had a lot of emotions while reading this, because we've come to an era where the church is being treated like a money-making machines rather than the place of peace and love it's supposed to be.
May God help us to get it right! I really appreciated that the author used this book to set some things right. That ending with Ifenna.... hmmmmm
August 12, 2022
I really enjoyed this
Interesting plot
Engaging
Relatable
Funny
Will come and elaborate after our discussion with the author
Interesting plot
Engaging
Relatable
Funny
Will come and elaborate after our discussion with the author
January 13, 2026
4.5⭐
This book was a great read but I didn't like how it ended.
This book was a great read but I didn't like how it ended.
December 3, 2023
This story happens in the early 20 teens in Lagos Nigeria. A reporter working for the Nigerian named Ifinia was called to stand in for a sick coworker at the Heaven’s gate opening it was the worlds biggest church and Ifini was happy to stand in because a press conference for such a big church is more a choreographed dance than an actual hardnose reporting in the church not only gave you the question to ask but a packet of money for playing along. This is when Daddy founder Nick and his wife nichie got on his radar. Earlier that day he heard people on the bus arguing about the validity of these money grubbing preachers and one mentioned the mysterious death of Pastor Felix at the heaven’s Gate construction site the year before. The only problem is asking about Pastor Felix would get him in trouble with his editor but because Ifinia got nauseated by pastors like daddy Nick he asked the question anyway and this is why he found his self without a job. It would be while doing his second and now only job driving an illegal taxi that he came up with an idea to do a blog called the Bad Shepherds And Unchaining The Sheep he wanted to take down all the pastors who spoke more of money had fake healings and convinced poor people in the congregation that not tiding would bring bad luck and it would be all their fault for not having enough faith. In another POV we have Nichie she is the wife of Daddy Nick one of the biggest protestant preachers in Nigeria and especially Lagos and throughout the story she slowly but surely starts to see her husband for who he actually is as opposed to the fantasy she has built him up to be. Ifinia’s blog is slow to take off but when he gets a testimonial from a girl who was sexually abused by Pastor Nick it goes viral but eventually the two POV‘s will come together in an explosive way. I feel like I am not doing this awesome story justice it was so good and there is way more to the story then the scant details I put in my review this is a well put together story about greed the ways we dilute our self and how sometimes we lie so much we believe our own untruths but it’s mostly about how much people are willing to pay for hope. There’s also a romance. I love reading stories from countries I’m not familiar with especially when written by someone from the actual place I am reading about and I think the author of this book did a great job there’s local references pop culture and a definite twist at the end of the book. I want to thank the publisher and net galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
December 11, 2022
Sometimes we go against our gut feeling and life's many ways of warning us about imminent danger, only to wish we hadn't...
This is what I took away from this searing, realistic, and of course dramatic story. In my experience, writing that is this easy to read is hard to write, which leads me to appreciate the author's know-how even more.
I totally recommend this book. Thanks for writing this, author!
This is what I took away from this searing, realistic, and of course dramatic story. In my experience, writing that is this easy to read is hard to write, which leads me to appreciate the author's know-how even more.
I totally recommend this book. Thanks for writing this, author!
July 13, 2022
Shepherds that live without the smell of the sheep
It is said that Pope Francis once advised pastors to be shepherds that live with the smell of the sheep. He wanted the pastors to know that, as shepherds, they are meant to be in the trenches with the sheep. They are to live with the sheep and help them in the murk.
Now I just read about shepherds that do not live with the smell of the sheep. They are called men of God. And according to Sylva Nze Ifedigbo, they live on and above the sweat of their congregations. The master story-telling veterinarian turned PR practitioner stated this in his latest novel, ‘Believers and Hustlers.’
The flamboyant lifestyles of these men of God are obvious and in our faces every day. So what Dr Ifedigbo has done is to go behind the scenes into the minds, bedrooms, offices and hideouts of these mega superstar pastors and reveal their passions, motivations and strategies for staying in the game.
But the subject is vast, so the author employs other people in the community, including adoring congregants, sceptics and other hustlers to hook us into the story. How will he keep the reader engrossed for such a long story of 376 pages? He expertly uses flashback to give flesh to the characters in the book - when you think it’s dragging and you may lose interest, the author introduces something from the past that sheds more light on the character and the story.
In the story, you will follow the lives of Pastor Nicholas Adejuwon and his beautiful wife, Nkechi, as they navigate the flamboyance of the ‘Rivers of Joy Church, the rave of the moment Lagos megachurch.’ But the subject is huge and even sensitive, how does he do it? According to Tade Ipadeola, he uses ’writerly instincts’ to ‘probe with uncanny accuracy, the religion-media matrix’. Indeed, Sylva Nze Ifedigbo’s accuracy in telling this story is amazing. You’d think he was allowed to follow them everywhere in order to produce this story as a reality show. The result is a fictional story that shades the facts.
I know that we all familiar with the flamboyant extravagance of the lives of a tribe of superstar pastors and men of God. If you have ever wondered about their motivations or the inner workings that helps them to keep millions under their spell, look no further; buy a copy of ‘Believers and Hustlers.’ Let me know if the ending surprised you too.
‘Believers and Hustlers’ by Sylva Nze Ifedigbo, was published in 2020 by Parrésia Publishers Limited, Lagos, Nigeria.
It is said that Pope Francis once advised pastors to be shepherds that live with the smell of the sheep. He wanted the pastors to know that, as shepherds, they are meant to be in the trenches with the sheep. They are to live with the sheep and help them in the murk.
Now I just read about shepherds that do not live with the smell of the sheep. They are called men of God. And according to Sylva Nze Ifedigbo, they live on and above the sweat of their congregations. The master story-telling veterinarian turned PR practitioner stated this in his latest novel, ‘Believers and Hustlers.’
The flamboyant lifestyles of these men of God are obvious and in our faces every day. So what Dr Ifedigbo has done is to go behind the scenes into the minds, bedrooms, offices and hideouts of these mega superstar pastors and reveal their passions, motivations and strategies for staying in the game.
But the subject is vast, so the author employs other people in the community, including adoring congregants, sceptics and other hustlers to hook us into the story. How will he keep the reader engrossed for such a long story of 376 pages? He expertly uses flashback to give flesh to the characters in the book - when you think it’s dragging and you may lose interest, the author introduces something from the past that sheds more light on the character and the story.
In the story, you will follow the lives of Pastor Nicholas Adejuwon and his beautiful wife, Nkechi, as they navigate the flamboyance of the ‘Rivers of Joy Church, the rave of the moment Lagos megachurch.’ But the subject is huge and even sensitive, how does he do it? According to Tade Ipadeola, he uses ’writerly instincts’ to ‘probe with uncanny accuracy, the religion-media matrix’. Indeed, Sylva Nze Ifedigbo’s accuracy in telling this story is amazing. You’d think he was allowed to follow them everywhere in order to produce this story as a reality show. The result is a fictional story that shades the facts.
I know that we all familiar with the flamboyant extravagance of the lives of a tribe of superstar pastors and men of God. If you have ever wondered about their motivations or the inner workings that helps them to keep millions under their spell, look no further; buy a copy of ‘Believers and Hustlers.’ Let me know if the ending surprised you too.
‘Believers and Hustlers’ by Sylva Nze Ifedigbo, was published in 2020 by Parrésia Publishers Limited, Lagos, Nigeria.
April 24, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
"Believers and Hustlers" by Sylva Nze Ifedigbo is a compelling narrative that delves into the intricate web of faith, ambition, and the media's influence in contemporary Nigeria. The novel opens with Ifenna Obumselu, an ambitious journalist, who finds himself at the grand opening of Heaven’s Gate Cathedral, a megachurch that epitomizes the grandeur and excesses of religious institutions in Lagos.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Ifenna, straying from the scripted questions at a press conference, probes into the mysterious death of a pastor. This act of defiance sets him on a collision course with powerful forces and leads to his dismissal. Undeterred, Ifenna embarks on a quest to uncover the truth, starting a blog that peels back the layers of religious corruption.
Ifedigbo's prose is both elegant and accessible, weaving a tale that is as much a commentary on Nigerian society as it is a gripping story of individual struggle. The characters are richly drawn, with backstories that add depth and context to their actions and motivations. The author explores themes of family, sacrifice, religion, and spirituality with a deft hand, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.
The novel's pacing is masterful, balancing humor, mystery, and cultural insights. It offers a window into the lives of those who are caught between the promises of prosperity preached by charismatic leaders and the harsh realities of life in a society riddled with corruption.
In "Believers and Hustlers" , Ifedigbo has crafted a milestone of a book that not only entertains but also invites reflection on the dynamics of belief and power. It is a must-read for those interested in contemporary African literature and for anyone who appreciates a story well told.
"Believers and Hustlers" by Sylva Nze Ifedigbo is a compelling narrative that delves into the intricate web of faith, ambition, and the media's influence in contemporary Nigeria. The novel opens with Ifenna Obumselu, an ambitious journalist, who finds himself at the grand opening of Heaven’s Gate Cathedral, a megachurch that epitomizes the grandeur and excesses of religious institutions in Lagos.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Ifenna, straying from the scripted questions at a press conference, probes into the mysterious death of a pastor. This act of defiance sets him on a collision course with powerful forces and leads to his dismissal. Undeterred, Ifenna embarks on a quest to uncover the truth, starting a blog that peels back the layers of religious corruption.
Ifedigbo's prose is both elegant and accessible, weaving a tale that is as much a commentary on Nigerian society as it is a gripping story of individual struggle. The characters are richly drawn, with backstories that add depth and context to their actions and motivations. The author explores themes of family, sacrifice, religion, and spirituality with a deft hand, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.
The novel's pacing is masterful, balancing humor, mystery, and cultural insights. It offers a window into the lives of those who are caught between the promises of prosperity preached by charismatic leaders and the harsh realities of life in a society riddled with corruption.
In "Believers and Hustlers" , Ifedigbo has crafted a milestone of a book that not only entertains but also invites reflection on the dynamics of belief and power. It is a must-read for those interested in contemporary African literature and for anyone who appreciates a story well told.
December 30, 2025
Believers and Hustlers by Sylva Nze Ifedigbo
Book 15 of 2022.
I judged this book by it's beautiful cover and was so so excited for what I was sure would be an amazing story.
It's not a bad book by any means, but I did have a few problems with it.
1. There were too many references to real life people and stories. The story about the magic fuel, the story about the divorced pastor who left to start his own church and one other one that I don't remember right now happened to real people. I would have been amused if I had not already seen the stories torn to pieces on Twitter.
2. The book did not need to be as long as it was, and I don't think it ended very well. I would have loved to see Nkechi hear about her husband's death (I assume he was killed by his partners) and see her reaction seeing as that was not was she bargained for (assuming again).
3. The 'scandal' that eventually came when the book had almost finished was not that scandalous. It wasn't 'giving'. Maybe because it took so long and reading the book was already feeling like a chore (it took me a month and half)
4. What was the drama around the things Bimbo said when she was made to resign? It had absolutely no effect on the book (I don't think she would have been able to do much after Nkechi's attack).
It was an okay book in the end, although I was a bit disappointed.
Book 15 of 2022.
I judged this book by it's beautiful cover and was so so excited for what I was sure would be an amazing story.
It's not a bad book by any means, but I did have a few problems with it.
1. There were too many references to real life people and stories. The story about the magic fuel, the story about the divorced pastor who left to start his own church and one other one that I don't remember right now happened to real people. I would have been amused if I had not already seen the stories torn to pieces on Twitter.
2. The book did not need to be as long as it was, and I don't think it ended very well. I would have loved to see Nkechi hear about her husband's death (I assume he was killed by his partners) and see her reaction seeing as that was not was she bargained for (assuming again).
3. The 'scandal' that eventually came when the book had almost finished was not that scandalous. It wasn't 'giving'. Maybe because it took so long and reading the book was already feeling like a chore (it took me a month and half)
4. What was the drama around the things Bimbo said when she was made to resign? It had absolutely no effect on the book (I don't think she would have been able to do much after Nkechi's attack).
It was an okay book in the end, although I was a bit disappointed.
January 11, 2026
I really enjoyed Believers and Hustlers, it was a very interesting read.
The only thing for me was the ending, it felt a bit rushed. I know it is fiction, but I was still hoping for a more feel good ending for Ifenna. Yes, he made money and got what he wanted career wise, but he lost his relationship in the process, so it did not really feel like a full win.
I was also half expecting more drama after Bimbo resigned. I honestly thought Pastor Nicholas would try something with Lilian so that the allegations would be clearly confirmed. When that did not happen, it felt like a missed chance to really drive the point home.
One thing I could not ignore was how the author portrayed pastors. It was so detailed and believable that it made me wonder if the author has some personal experience with this kind of thing, or if he just did very good research into church politics and power abuse. Either way, it was done in a way that felt very real.
Overall, it was a good book, entertaining, thought provoking, and very relevant. Even with the rushed ending, it definitely gives you a lot to think about.
November 15, 2022
This was quite an enjoyable book.
Pastors in Nigeria are definitely not all holy and I think this book highlighted that in a funny but bittersweet way.
I liked Ifenna but I also felt that he was a bit whiny and judgmental at times, Lillian was cool and Nkechi was flawed but overall a good character.
Pastor Nick was definitely a good actor (I think that's the only good thing I can say about him) and I enjoyed reading his povs as he slowly began to spiral.
All in all I give this a solid 3.5/5 and I genuinely look forward to reading more from this author
Pastors in Nigeria are definitely not all holy and I think this book highlighted that in a funny but bittersweet way.
I liked Ifenna but I also felt that he was a bit whiny and judgmental at times, Lillian was cool and Nkechi was flawed but overall a good character.
Pastor Nick was definitely a good actor (I think that's the only good thing I can say about him) and I enjoyed reading his povs as he slowly began to spiral.
All in all I give this a solid 3.5/5 and I genuinely look forward to reading more from this author
December 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this one, even though, at bottom, it reveals the sad way in which hustlers prey on the faith of the faithful and the struggling. As satire and social commentary, it's excellent. Overall, a rich, enlightening read. I wrote a more lengthy review at: https://mindbuckmedia.medium.com/book...
December 25, 2023
honestly, this could have been good. and maybe i’m being too nitpicky, but the writing and the typos (was there an editor at all???) ruined the whole experience for me. the premise was interesting and bold and not spoken about enough so i really wanted to love this. maybe a reprint with better writing? bc this was not great
October 14, 2024
While Believers and Hustlers captures the vibrant world of religious figures in Lagos, the storyline felt overly familiar. The parallels to well-known pastors in Nigeria made the narrative predictable, and I found myself wanting more originality and depth from the plot.
The only thing that caught my attention was the plot twist towards the end, asides that, it was an OK read.
The only thing that caught my attention was the plot twist towards the end, asides that, it was an OK read.
July 12, 2025
What happens when faith, fame, and fraud collide?
I went into this one expecting a spicy takedown of megachurch culture—but what I got was so much more: an unflinching, layered, and at times hilarious exploration of faith, fame, and the dangerous dance between the pulpit and the press.
We follow Ifenna, a journalist, turned blogger-turned-investigative-journalist whose curiosity takes him into the heart of “Heaven’s Gate,” a mega church that’s more scandal factory than sanctuary. He stumbles into the world of Pastor Nicholas (aka Pastor Nick), the flamboyant founder of Heaven’s Gate church, what begins as a blog post quickly spirals into a full-blown investigation involving money, lies, power, and death. And Lagos? Lagos is a character of its own—boisterous, unpredictable, and always watching.
✨ What I loved:
•The writing is razor-sharp and witty. Every chapter feels like a backstage pass to the gospel industry Lagos doesn’t want you to see.
•The author doesn’t preach, he probes. He lets you draw your own lines between faith and fanaticism, belief and business.
•The characters are layered and believable—especially Pastor Nick and Ifenna. I felt their conviction and their contradictions.
•The satire? Chef’s kiss. It’s bold, fearless, and timely.
What didn’t quite hit:
Some parts in the middle dragged slightly, especially as Ifenna wrestled with internal doubts rather than external action. I also wanted more depth from Nkechi—she’s introduced with promise, but her character fades a bit too soon. Still, these are small things in an otherwise powerful narrative.
Final Thoughts:
Believers and Hustlers is brave fiction. It dares to say the quiet things out loud. It entertains without losing its message. And it reminds us that the truth is often more scandalous than the rumors.
This book made me laugh, sigh, raise an eyebrow, and whisper “God abeg” more than once. This is not just a story—it’s a mirror. And Sylva holds it steady.
I went into this one expecting a spicy takedown of megachurch culture—but what I got was so much more: an unflinching, layered, and at times hilarious exploration of faith, fame, and the dangerous dance between the pulpit and the press.
We follow Ifenna, a journalist, turned blogger-turned-investigative-journalist whose curiosity takes him into the heart of “Heaven’s Gate,” a mega church that’s more scandal factory than sanctuary. He stumbles into the world of Pastor Nicholas (aka Pastor Nick), the flamboyant founder of Heaven’s Gate church, what begins as a blog post quickly spirals into a full-blown investigation involving money, lies, power, and death. And Lagos? Lagos is a character of its own—boisterous, unpredictable, and always watching.
✨ What I loved:
•The writing is razor-sharp and witty. Every chapter feels like a backstage pass to the gospel industry Lagos doesn’t want you to see.
•The author doesn’t preach, he probes. He lets you draw your own lines between faith and fanaticism, belief and business.
•The characters are layered and believable—especially Pastor Nick and Ifenna. I felt their conviction and their contradictions.
•The satire? Chef’s kiss. It’s bold, fearless, and timely.
What didn’t quite hit:
Some parts in the middle dragged slightly, especially as Ifenna wrestled with internal doubts rather than external action. I also wanted more depth from Nkechi—she’s introduced with promise, but her character fades a bit too soon. Still, these are small things in an otherwise powerful narrative.
Final Thoughts:
Believers and Hustlers is brave fiction. It dares to say the quiet things out loud. It entertains without losing its message. And it reminds us that the truth is often more scandalous than the rumors.
This book made me laugh, sigh, raise an eyebrow, and whisper “God abeg” more than once. This is not just a story—it’s a mirror. And Sylva holds it steady.
December 14, 2025
1.5 stars
Other than the main theme which was the commercialization of the church,there wasn’t much else going on,no relatable characters, no character development (IMO),and the writting was somewhat juvenile.
Also why was there so much talk about Ifenna’s pèn*s??! He was such a disturbing character.
Other than the main theme which was the commercialization of the church,there wasn’t much else going on,no relatable characters, no character development (IMO),and the writting was somewhat juvenile.
Also why was there so much talk about Ifenna’s pèn*s??! He was such a disturbing character.
April 25, 2023
I truly enjoyed reading this novel & it was the first time I read a book by the author. Totally different from what I normally read but still full in line with my usual favorites 😊
Definitely a great read for anytime ✨✨✨✨✨
Definitely a great read for anytime ✨✨✨✨✨
November 22, 2024
Overall, it was a beautiful read. I loved the characters from Ifenna to Lilian to Nkechi and Pastor Nick. However, I agree with a previous sentence that It was unnecessarily long. I would galdly pick up another book by the author
September 20, 2025
This was truly captivating and delightful to read. If you're in Nigeria, you'll find every scene and situation so relatable. Sylva, the writer, has a wonderful talent for evoking the right emotions from his readers.
August 11, 2022
Well written, engaging and relatable. Enjoyed this one.
April 11, 2024
2.5 stars
February 19, 2025
I loved reading this book. It contained a lot of cultural nuances about Nigeria and the writer's writing style, moving from past to present seamlessly made the reading so wholesome
Everything starts to unravel when a journalist decides to publish a daring piece about a popular church. His decision changes his life and sets the stage for a major event in the church's history. Just how dirty is the hand that grips the pulpit,what web of lies hide beneath every Italian suit and how far will pastors go to hold on to their empire?
Everything starts to unravel when a journalist decides to publish a daring piece about a popular church. His decision changes his life and sets the stage for a major event in the church's history. Just how dirty is the hand that grips the pulpit,what web of lies hide beneath every Italian suit and how far will pastors go to hold on to their empire?
July 24, 2025
Good storyline, i did not see that ending coming.
March 22, 2025
Read this if you:
Don't care how far sarcasm goes to ridicule religion, power, and the government.
Sylva can be witty in the act of storytelling in which he uses to pass his message across to a reader. In this story sha know no body holy pass.
Don't care how far sarcasm goes to ridicule religion, power, and the government.
Sylva can be witty in the act of storytelling in which he uses to pass his message across to a reader. In this story sha know no body holy pass.
February 1, 2025
I’d give this 3.5 stars this was pretty good
I liked the writing style and the book was really entertaining and engaging
I liked the writing style and the book was really entertaining and engaging
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