By Abdullateef Aliyu & Nurudeen Oyewole (Lagos), Hir Joseph (Jos), Victor Edozie (Port Harcourt), Taiwo
With massive followership, they are
supposed to preach words of modest living. But many pastors across the
world, and indeed Nigeria, are living large. Many of them own luxurious
property in choice locations around the country. However, a number of
them also engage in philanthropic activities as well.
Bishop
David Oyedepo is the Founder and General Overseer of the Living Faith
Worldwide, popularly known as “Winners Chapel”. He is regarded by many
as one of the richest pastors, not only in Nigeria, but in Africa. His
church has to its credit, the building of the single largest worship
centre in Africa, known as Faith Tabernacle in Otta, Ogun State. The
50,000 seat centre is also its international headquarters. The church
also has two universities, Covenant University in Otta and Landmark
University in Omu Aran in Kwara State.
David Oyedepo is the Founder and General Overseer of the Living Faith
Worldwide, popularly known as “Winners Chapel”. He is regarded by many
as one of the richest pastors, not only in Nigeria, but in Africa. His
church has to its credit, the building of the single largest worship
centre in Africa, known as Faith Tabernacle in Otta, Ogun State. The
50,000 seat centre is also its international headquarters. The church
also has two universities, Covenant University in Otta and Landmark
University in Omu Aran in Kwara State.
Oyedepo’s church owns several businesses, as well, and according to a Forbes Magazine, an estimated net worth of US$150 million.
Then
there’s Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, simply called Pastor Chris by his
admirers. He also towers above when it comes to wealthy pastors. The
aforementioned Forbes report estimated his worth to be between $30
million and $50 million. His church, better-known as Christ Embassy
International, is also one that enjoys a huge following, especially
among Nigerian youths.
there’s Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, simply called Pastor Chris by his
admirers. He also towers above when it comes to wealthy pastors. The
aforementioned Forbes report estimated his worth to be between $30
million and $50 million. His church, better-known as Christ Embassy
International, is also one that enjoys a huge following, especially
among Nigerian youths.
Well-known for his televangelism, Oyakhilome’s church branches and faithful cut across the globe.
Pastor
Chris’s interests cut across publishing, TV, record labels and more.
His Loveworld TV Network is reputed to be the first Christian TV network
to broadcast from Africa to the rest of the world on a 24-hour basis.
Chris’s interests cut across publishing, TV, record labels and more.
His Loveworld TV Network is reputed to be the first Christian TV network
to broadcast from Africa to the rest of the world on a 24-hour basis.
Pastor
Matthew Ashimolowo is the Senior Pastor of Kingsway International
Christian Centre, (KICC) London. He is another pastor Nigerians have
associated with wealth for many years. He was reputed to have launched a
breakthrough when in 1992, Foursquare Gospel Church asked him to
establish the London branch. He was said to have used the opportunity to
kick-start his own ministry.
Matthew Ashimolowo is the Senior Pastor of Kingsway International
Christian Centre, (KICC) London. He is another pastor Nigerians have
associated with wealth for many years. He was reputed to have launched a
breakthrough when in 1992, Foursquare Gospel Church asked him to
establish the London branch. He was said to have used the opportunity to
kick-start his own ministry.
Ashimolowo’s assets, chiefly in media and publishing, rank him among the A-list pastors.
Pastor
Temitope Balogun Joshua, the Leader and Founder of Synagogue Church of
All Nations, (SCOAN), is another prominent clergyman whom many believe
is super-rich. He is simply referred to as T.B Joshua. He is said to
have assets in various sectors, and he enjoys close friendships with
numerous African presidents, some of whom have paid him courtesy calls
at his church headquarters in Ikotun, Lagos.
Temitope Balogun Joshua, the Leader and Founder of Synagogue Church of
All Nations, (SCOAN), is another prominent clergyman whom many believe
is super-rich. He is simply referred to as T.B Joshua. He is said to
have assets in various sectors, and he enjoys close friendships with
numerous African presidents, some of whom have paid him courtesy calls
at his church headquarters in Ikotun, Lagos.
Highly
revered among his numerous faithful, Joshua, through his many
philanthropic gestures has often proved that he has more than enough to
give, which many say is unprecedented. To his credit is the widely
celebrated cable TV channel, Emmanuel TV which enjoys wide viewership
across the globe.
revered among his numerous faithful, Joshua, through his many
philanthropic gestures has often proved that he has more than enough to
give, which many say is unprecedented. To his credit is the widely
celebrated cable TV channel, Emmanuel TV which enjoys wide viewership
across the globe.
Joshua
has reportedly purchased a $60 million Gulfstream G550 aircraft in
April 2015. But according to an online publication, ‘TB Joshua Watch: A
comprehensive resource on TB Joshua and SCOAN’, “We cannot be
categorized among the wealthiest in Nigeria because what money we
receive is not accumulated but rather given out to those who need it
most. There is not enough to keep for tomorrow. As it comes, we give it
to the needy.”
has reportedly purchased a $60 million Gulfstream G550 aircraft in
April 2015. But according to an online publication, ‘TB Joshua Watch: A
comprehensive resource on TB Joshua and SCOAN’, “We cannot be
categorized among the wealthiest in Nigeria because what money we
receive is not accumulated but rather given out to those who need it
most. There is not enough to keep for tomorrow. As it comes, we give it
to the needy.”
Pastor
Chris Okotie, of the household of God Church, Oregun, Ikeja was once
known as a celebrated pop star in the 1980’s. Aside from presiding over a
church that sits atop a wide expanse of land, the pastor has also in
the past contested to be president. Though he failed in all of his
attempts, the fact that he single-handedly raised and nurtured a
political platform – the Fresh Party and campaigned across the country,
has fueled the notion that he is a wealthy clergyman. Also, his wealth
also reflects in his style. He is a lover of exotic automobiles and
believed to own many. He also maintains a sizeable motorcade with many
security aides.
Chris Okotie, of the household of God Church, Oregun, Ikeja was once
known as a celebrated pop star in the 1980’s. Aside from presiding over a
church that sits atop a wide expanse of land, the pastor has also in
the past contested to be president. Though he failed in all of his
attempts, the fact that he single-handedly raised and nurtured a
political platform – the Fresh Party and campaigned across the country,
has fueled the notion that he is a wealthy clergyman. Also, his wealth
also reflects in his style. He is a lover of exotic automobiles and
believed to own many. He also maintains a sizeable motorcade with many
security aides.
Apostle
Tom Samson, of Christ Royal Family International Church (CRFIC) in
Iyesi-Ota, a developing community in Ota town, Ogun State, has
established interests that appear a mix of evangelism and business, as
he is also the Chief Executive Officer of Royal City Medical Centre,
Royal City Water Factory and Royal City Printing Press. The icing on the
cake of his many educational institutions. When he celebrated his 50th
birthday, he claimed that some of his followers whom God had blessed
through him had deemed it fit to give him gifts.
Tom Samson, of Christ Royal Family International Church (CRFIC) in
Iyesi-Ota, a developing community in Ota town, Ogun State, has
established interests that appear a mix of evangelism and business, as
he is also the Chief Executive Officer of Royal City Medical Centre,
Royal City Water Factory and Royal City Printing Press. The icing on the
cake of his many educational institutions. When he celebrated his 50th
birthday, he claimed that some of his followers whom God had blessed
through him had deemed it fit to give him gifts.
Samson,
born on December 13, 1965, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, is actually an
indigene of Ogbagu-Ogume in the Ndokwa Local Government Area of Delta
State. He began to gather fame in Lagos State in the 1990s as a
Pentecostal warrior organising his Reigning in Life conferences, donned
in army green fatigues, “fighting witches and wizards for troubled
souls”.
born on December 13, 1965, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, is actually an
indigene of Ogbagu-Ogume in the Ndokwa Local Government Area of Delta
State. He began to gather fame in Lagos State in the 1990s as a
Pentecostal warrior organising his Reigning in Life conferences, donned
in army green fatigues, “fighting witches and wizards for troubled
souls”.
Lazarus
Muoka of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement commands, every
Sunday, long lines of buses, parked on the shoulders of the Oshodi-Mile
2 Expressway, between Ilasamaja and Ijesha bus stops in Lagos. The
buses bear the inscription ‘The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival
Movement’, a church founded and owned by Muoka. From its humble
beginning at Ilasamaja, Lord’s Chosen, as is widely known, has grown.
Muoka of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement commands, every
Sunday, long lines of buses, parked on the shoulders of the Oshodi-Mile
2 Expressway, between Ilasamaja and Ijesha bus stops in Lagos. The
buses bear the inscription ‘The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival
Movement’, a church founded and owned by Muoka. From its humble
beginning at Ilasamaja, Lord’s Chosen, as is widely known, has grown.
Muoka’s
influence and wealth have soared. Every Sunday, and even at special
programmes that the church organises during the week, thousands of
worshippers throng the centre. His congregation comprises largely the
low and middle income earners, who proudly wear yellow reflective
jackets on which the Lord’s Chosen name is written. A former member of
the church, John Nwosu, who resides on Abiodun Street, Shomolu, told Daily Trust that members buy the jacket for N5000 each.
influence and wealth have soared. Every Sunday, and even at special
programmes that the church organises during the week, thousands of
worshippers throng the centre. His congregation comprises largely the
low and middle income earners, who proudly wear yellow reflective
jackets on which the Lord’s Chosen name is written. A former member of
the church, John Nwosu, who resides on Abiodun Street, Shomolu, told Daily Trust that members buy the jacket for N5000 each.
Pastor
Joseph Agboli of Victorious Army Church on Acme Road, Ogba, in Lagos is
where, along with his wife Blessing, superintend a large congregation
every Sunday and regularly organise different types of programmes during
the week. Like most of their Pentecostal colleagues, Pastors Joseph and
Blessing are very flashy dressers. In church circles today in Lagos,
Blessing is rated very highly. They are believed to have investments in
lucrative sectors.
Joseph Agboli of Victorious Army Church on Acme Road, Ogba, in Lagos is
where, along with his wife Blessing, superintend a large congregation
every Sunday and regularly organise different types of programmes during
the week. Like most of their Pentecostal colleagues, Pastors Joseph and
Blessing are very flashy dressers. In church circles today in Lagos,
Blessing is rated very highly. They are believed to have investments in
lucrative sectors.
Apostle
Wole Oladiyun is of Living Spring Apostolic Ministry located in the
Omole, Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos. The church started 16 years ago and
has grown phenomenally. In 2012, Oladiyun commissioned a general
hospital he said cost N500 million to complete. Every Wednesday morning,
when the church holds its mid-week programme, there is always traffic
gridlock, caused by members who park on the roadside.
Wole Oladiyun is of Living Spring Apostolic Ministry located in the
Omole, Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos. The church started 16 years ago and
has grown phenomenally. In 2012, Oladiyun commissioned a general
hospital he said cost N500 million to complete. Every Wednesday morning,
when the church holds its mid-week programme, there is always traffic
gridlock, caused by members who park on the roadside.
Dr.
Olukoya heads the Mountain of Fire and Miracles ministry. The church
began in a rented hall on Old Yaba road, Ebute-Meta, Lagos, in the early
1990s, but has grown big with branches across Nigeria and abroad. It is
worth billions of naira in assets. Its style of preaching hinges on
fiery prayers of death against perceived enemies. Unlike many rich
pastors, he has remained unassuming and has not been linked with the
acquisition of luxury items. The church owns a tertiary institution, the
Mountain Top University, and a football club, MFM FC, which its
Chairman, Godwin Enakhena, a sports journalist, has always explained was
established to provide worthwhile engagements for youths with football
talents.
Olukoya heads the Mountain of Fire and Miracles ministry. The church
began in a rented hall on Old Yaba road, Ebute-Meta, Lagos, in the early
1990s, but has grown big with branches across Nigeria and abroad. It is
worth billions of naira in assets. Its style of preaching hinges on
fiery prayers of death against perceived enemies. Unlike many rich
pastors, he has remained unassuming and has not been linked with the
acquisition of luxury items. The church owns a tertiary institution, the
Mountain Top University, and a football club, MFM FC, which its
Chairman, Godwin Enakhena, a sports journalist, has always explained was
established to provide worthwhile engagements for youths with football
talents.
Prophet
Isa El-Buba, founder and President of Evangelical Bible Outreach
Ministry International (EBOMI), located in Jos, Plateau State, is a
motivational preacher, commanding an ever growing congregation at a
massive 11-storey Prayer Temple said to be worth billions of naira, and
has some of Jos’ wealthiest and most prominent politicians as
worshippers. The former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, is a
senior pastor of EBOMI.
Isa El-Buba, founder and President of Evangelical Bible Outreach
Ministry International (EBOMI), located in Jos, Plateau State, is a
motivational preacher, commanding an ever growing congregation at a
massive 11-storey Prayer Temple said to be worth billions of naira, and
has some of Jos’ wealthiest and most prominent politicians as
worshippers. The former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, is a
senior pastor of EBOMI.
With
a collection of personalities working with him, the Borno State-born
Prophet El-Buba from a Muslim family is believed to be the most
prominent man of God in Jos.
a collection of personalities working with him, the Borno State-born
Prophet El-Buba from a Muslim family is believed to be the most
prominent man of God in Jos.
Bishop
Jonas Katung, is founder of Maranatha Covenant Ministries
International, located along Miango Junction-Low Cost Road. He is a
popular preacher around much of Northern Nigeria, with overseas
evangelical destinations, described his lifestyle as “Christ-like” in
humility. The bishop said evangelism in Jos should not be assessed by
the same standards as southern parts of the country where there is
wealth to fund a lifestyle of luxury for pastors, insisting that Jos,
where missionaries settled early is a place for winning souls. He said
as a certified mechanical engineer, he has a licensed company from where
he is making a living, having decided not to go on salary from
evangelism.
Jonas Katung, is founder of Maranatha Covenant Ministries
International, located along Miango Junction-Low Cost Road. He is a
popular preacher around much of Northern Nigeria, with overseas
evangelical destinations, described his lifestyle as “Christ-like” in
humility. The bishop said evangelism in Jos should not be assessed by
the same standards as southern parts of the country where there is
wealth to fund a lifestyle of luxury for pastors, insisting that Jos,
where missionaries settled early is a place for winning souls. He said
as a certified mechanical engineer, he has a licensed company from where
he is making a living, having decided not to go on salary from
evangelism.
Apostle
Chinyere Chibuzor is the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry,
located at Ngbudu-Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Personalities such as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and business
mogul, Ifeanyi Uba, have visited the church.
Chinyere Chibuzor is the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry,
located at Ngbudu-Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Personalities such as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and business
mogul, Ifeanyi Uba, have visited the church.
A
prominent super-rich Nigerian businessman, in a testimony, said the
pastor’s prayer healed him of a life threatening heart disease and he
later donated N120 million to the church.
prominent super-rich Nigerian businessman, in a testimony, said the
pastor’s prayer healed him of a life threatening heart disease and he
later donated N120 million to the church.
Apostle
Chibuzor is believed to own a fleet of exotic cars. He runs a
televangelism programme drawing thousands of followers and recently
moved into a multi-million naira home located at the highbrow GRA part
of Port Harcourt. He drives himself, but moves with a team of mobile
policemen. He is also a philanthropist and his church runs a free school
where indigent students are offered scholarships from nursery to
secondary levels.
Chibuzor is believed to own a fleet of exotic cars. He runs a
televangelism programme drawing thousands of followers and recently
moved into a multi-million naira home located at the highbrow GRA part
of Port Harcourt. He drives himself, but moves with a team of mobile
policemen. He is also a philanthropist and his church runs a free school
where indigent students are offered scholarships from nursery to
secondary levels.
Apostle
Chibuzor is said to be super-rich but believes that church money
belongs to its members. He recently launched an attack on some pastors
he accused of using church money to better the lots of their families
while their members are living in abject poverty.
Chibuzor is said to be super-rich but believes that church money
belongs to its members. He recently launched an attack on some pastors
he accused of using church money to better the lots of their families
while their members are living in abject poverty.
Brother
Joshua Iginla, Senior Pastor of Champions Royal Assembly in Kubwa,
Abuja, continues to be a media darling. The soft-spoken clergyman is not
new to Abuja residents, and is well-known across the country. The
lifestyle of the Ekiti State-born but Jos-raised pastor shows humility,
contrasting with expensive gifts he doles out – sometimes to Nollywood
stars – including exotic cars he donated in 2016. He denounced the title
of Pastor or Prophet, preferring to be called a Brother.
Joshua Iginla, Senior Pastor of Champions Royal Assembly in Kubwa,
Abuja, continues to be a media darling. The soft-spoken clergyman is not
new to Abuja residents, and is well-known across the country. The
lifestyle of the Ekiti State-born but Jos-raised pastor shows humility,
contrasting with expensive gifts he doles out – sometimes to Nollywood
stars – including exotic cars he donated in 2016. He denounced the title
of Pastor or Prophet, preferring to be called a Brother.
Brother
Iginla’s wealth comes from his chain of businesses including authorship
of over 50 books and investment in automobiles. In 2016, he gave out 32
luxury cars and millions of naira. His church, an 80,000 capacity
multimillion naira project which he said he started with about N250, 000
has construction work ongoing at the building called City of Wonders.
“The church is unarguably one of Nigeria’s fastest growing. Always
filled and attended by a mix of the low, high and mighty, is perhaps
Abuja’s most talked about religious centre,” a post on his ministry’s
Facebook page read.
Iginla’s wealth comes from his chain of businesses including authorship
of over 50 books and investment in automobiles. In 2016, he gave out 32
luxury cars and millions of naira. His church, an 80,000 capacity
multimillion naira project which he said he started with about N250, 000
has construction work ongoing at the building called City of Wonders.
“The church is unarguably one of Nigeria’s fastest growing. Always
filled and attended by a mix of the low, high and mighty, is perhaps
Abuja’s most talked about religious centre,” a post on his ministry’s
Facebook page read.
Daily Trust
made several attempts to speak with members of some of the churches but
most of them declined, citing reverence they have for the pastors.
However, those who spoke on condition of anonymity differed on the
lifestyles of their church leaders.
made several attempts to speak with members of some of the churches but
most of them declined, citing reverence they have for the pastors.
However, those who spoke on condition of anonymity differed on the
lifestyles of their church leaders.
According
to a respondent who simply identified himself as Mathew, he is
unconcerned about whether or not his pastor lives a lavish life because
his offerings and tithes were borne out of his genuine intention to
give. “I think I am giving my offering for God. I don’t care how it is
spent or who it is spent on. Again don’t forget that some of these
pastors toiled hard to establish these churches. From humble beginnings,
they have worked tirelessly to build the churches and so on. I think we
should be careful what we say so that we don’t incur the wrath of God.”
to a respondent who simply identified himself as Mathew, he is
unconcerned about whether or not his pastor lives a lavish life because
his offerings and tithes were borne out of his genuine intention to
give. “I think I am giving my offering for God. I don’t care how it is
spent or who it is spent on. Again don’t forget that some of these
pastors toiled hard to establish these churches. From humble beginnings,
they have worked tirelessly to build the churches and so on. I think we
should be careful what we say so that we don’t incur the wrath of God.”
Another
anonymous respondent said, “I think pastors have a responsibility to
change the perception that people have about churches being business
ventures. Once people have inculcated that view, it is quite difficult
to do any serious evangelism upon which church is set aside. They preach
prosperity rather than salvation.”
anonymous respondent said, “I think pastors have a responsibility to
change the perception that people have about churches being business
ventures. Once people have inculcated that view, it is quite difficult
to do any serious evangelism upon which church is set aside. They preach
prosperity rather than salvation.”
Meanwhile,
a Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa,
has reiterated the need for church proprietors and leaders to live a
life of moderation, which he described as a balance between opulence and
poverty.
a Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa,
has reiterated the need for church proprietors and leaders to live a
life of moderation, which he described as a balance between opulence and
poverty.
Adegboruwa,
who is also a pastor, said it is important to emphasise that the desire
of every Christian must be to live Christ-like. “We know that Christ
represents modesty. He lived a life that was not ostentatious and as
pastors, we are expected to live lives that would not constitute
distractions to the congregation. I think pastors should live modestly,
especially when they bear in mind that a larger percentage of their
members are poor,” he said.
who is also a pastor, said it is important to emphasise that the desire
of every Christian must be to live Christ-like. “We know that Christ
represents modesty. He lived a life that was not ostentatious and as
pastors, we are expected to live lives that would not constitute
distractions to the congregation. I think pastors should live modestly,
especially when they bear in mind that a larger percentage of their
members are poor,” he said.
Adegboruwa
said it is not to mean that pastors should live in wretchedness, but
they should avoid flamboyance. “I suggest financial accountability. I
suggest transparency in the running of churches.”
said it is not to mean that pastors should live in wretchedness, but
they should avoid flamboyance. “I suggest financial accountability. I
suggest transparency in the running of churches.”