Nigeria, often referred to as the “Giant of Africa,” is renowned for its vast population, cultural diversity, and strong religious presence. In a country known for its rich cultural tapestry and fervent religious atmosphere, certain pastors stand out not only for their spiritual influence but also for their remarkable wealth.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Join us as we delve into the lives of these spiritual leaders who have risen from humble beginnings to achieve extraordinary success.
Who is the Richest Pastor in Nigeria?
-
Bishop David Oyedepo – $150 million
Bishop David Oyedepo tops the list of the richest pastors in Nigeria. His father was a Muslim healer, and his mum was a Christian. David studied architecture at the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and he also studied Human Development at Honolulu University, Hawaii.
Oyedepo started the Living Faith Church Worldwide ministry, also known as Winners Chapel International. This church has branches in more than 300 cities around the world.
David Oyedepo is 68 years old. He founded Covenant University, as well as a water company named Hebron. The bishop also owns buildings and land for business in Nigeria and other countries.
He’s married to Faith Abiola Oyedepo, and they have four children: two sons and two daughters.
Bishop Oyedepo’s net worth is $150 million. Interestingly, he owns not one but four private airplanes: a Gulfstream I, Gulfstream IV, Bombardier Challenger 604 (N664D), and Gulfstream V Jet as well as a private hangar at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
From humble beginnings to unparalleled influence, Bishop Oyedepo’s legacy continues to inspire millions around the globe.
-
Pastor Enoch Adeboye – $65 million
Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye is a Christian author and televangelist through Dove TV. He is the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), one of Nigeria’s biggest churches. This church has branches in 192 countries.
He studied at the University Of Nigeria (UNN) in Nsukka but finished his first degree at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) after the Nigeria Civil War. He graduated with a degree in Mathematics in 1967. That same year, he married Foluke Adenike. They have four children: Adeolu Adeboye, Bolu Adubi (formerly Adeboye), Leke Adeboye, and Dare Adeboye.
In 1969, he earned a master’s degree in hydrodynamics from the University of Lagos. Pastor Adeboye joined the Redeemed Christian Church of God in 1973 and began translating Yoruba to English for Pastor Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi. He became a minister of the church in 1977 and became its leader in 1981.
Pastor Enoch Adeboye is the second richest pastor in Nigeria, with a net worth of $65 million. He owns many properties worldwide. Some of his cars include a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen, and Land Rover Discovery.
-
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome – $50 million
Chris Oyakhilome is a Nigerian preacher and healer who is worth $50 million. People know him as “Pastor Chris.” He started Believers’ Love World Incorporated, also known as “Christ Embassy,” a Christian group in Lagos, Nigeria.
He went to Edo College and got a degree in Architecture from Bendel State University, which is now called Ambrose Ali University. While in university, he began a group called Youth For Christ, which later became Believers Love World (BLW), the biggest group on campus. After finishing school in 1987, he started a church in Benin City. Then in 1989, he moved to Lagos and started Christ Embassy.
In 2006, he held the “Good Friday Miracle Night,” which had 3.5 million people attending, making it Nigeria’s biggest event ever in one night. He also helped start the first African Christian TV network.
Besides his ministry work, Oyakhilome helps kids in need through the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International. This group helps orphaned and poor kids in cities across many countries. They also give aid during disasters and work with governments to improve life for people.
-
Pastor David Ibiyeomie – $41 million
Pastor David Ibiyeomie is the respected leader of Salvation Ministries. He is often called the Apostle of Prosperity and great well-being. His ministry is worth about N10 billion and has over 30 branches. He is considered one of the wealthiest pastors from the southern part of Nigeria.
His ministry journey began after he finished Bible School training at Bishop David Oyedepo’s Word of Faith Bible Institute. He started a small group in Victoria Island, Lagos, before moving to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he officially started Salvation Ministries on April 13, 1997, with about twenty members.
Over time, Ibiyeomie’s ministry has grown a lot. By 2017, Salvation Ministries had about 50,000 people attending its Sunday services at its main church.
In February 2011, the ministry opened 14 new churches in one day, each having five services. Through TV programs like Hour of Salvation and live services, David Ibiyeomie has connected with millions of people.
His TV ministry started on a local channel in Port Harcourt in 2001 and now airs on over 40 TV stations around the world. He also writes books and hosts a radio show online.
The famous pastor is estimated to be worth $41 million.
-
Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor – $32 million
Papa Ayo Oritsejafor started the Word of Life Bible Church, which now has many branches across Nigeria. He played an important role in Nigerian Christianity, leading both the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and later the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), where he served for many years. He was the first Pentecostal leader to hold such a high position.
Born on November 10, 1955, he began his ministry journey in 1972 after a life-changing experience at a religious event in Sapele, Nigeria. He studied theology in Nigeria and the United States. In November 1987, he founded the Word of Life Bible Church, which marked the start of his influential ministry. That same year, he organized a Miracle crusade that was shown globally on satellite TV, a big moment in the history of spreading the Christian message.
Ayodele Joseph Oritsegbubemi Oritsejafor owns many properties in Nigeria, especially in Delta and Lagos. He is one of the richest pastors in Nigeria, with a net worth of $32 million. Papa Ayo also has a private jet, a Bombardier Challenger 601, worth $3.5 million. His cars include a Limousine and a Toyota Land Cruiser.
While he uses his wealth for things like scholarships and empowerment programs, some people have questioned how money is used in his ministry.
The 67-year-old bishop has been married to his wife, Helen Oritsejafor, since 1997. They have 4 children: triplets (girls) and a boy.
-
Pastor Sam Adeyemi – $30 million
Minister Adeyemi was born on February 3rd, 1967, in Yagba, Kogi state. When he was young, he never thought he would become a pastor. He never imagined that years later, he would start the rapidly growing Daystar Christian Center.
Pastor Adeyemi started Daystar Christian Centre in 1995. In 2002, he also started a school called Daystar Leadership Academy to help people learn about leadership and management.
Today, Daystar Christian Center is worth more than 2 billion naira and is still growing fast. Besides being a pastor, Sam Adeyemi is also an author. He wrote many successful books to inspire readers. Some of his best-selling books are “Success is the kind of person you are” and “Tales of Dollar.”
But Pastor Sam Adeyemi’s story doesn’t end there. He is a spiritual man with a wonderful wife, Pastor Nike Adeyemi, and three children.
Pastor Samuel Adeyemi is one of the most influential pastors. His estimated net worth is $30 million.
His cars include a Mercedes-Benz S350 and a Lexus LX570.
-
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo – $15 million
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo is one of the richest pastors in Nigeria, with a large net worth to show for it. He’s also widely recognized for his opulent lifestyle, owning numerous luxury possessions. While he’s renowned for his role as a pastor, not everyone is aware of his substantial wealth.
Matthew Ashimolowo was born on March 17th, 1952, in Kaduna, Nigeria. When he was 20 years old, he changed from being a Muslim to being a Christian. This happened after his father died, and he went to study at a Bible school.
Now 69 years old, Pastor Ashimolowo started the Kingsway International Christian Centre and the Matthew Ashimolowo Media. Today, his church is known as the biggest Pentecostal church in the United Kingdom.
In 2009, his church made a profit of $10 million, and its assets were worth over $40 million. Pastor Ashimolowo earns about $200,000 every year. But most of his money comes from his businesses in the media industry. He writes books and makes documentaries. He also owns the Winning Ways program, a popular radio show in London, and a radio show called Spirit FM in Amsterdam. He has TV shows in Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and on networks like TBN and Inspirational Network in Europe. His net worth is now $15 million.
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo’s cars include a Range Rover Vogue Sport, a bulletproof Hummer Jeep, a Porsche Cayenne, and a Mercedes-Benz. He also has his own private jet.
In 1981, he married his wife, Yemisi Ashimolowo, and they have two children together.
-
Apostle Johnson Suleman – $10.5 million
Johnson Suleman, born on March 24, 1971, is a Nigerian TV preacher and the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, a church based in Auchi, Edo State. After working as a junior minister in the Armor of God Church in Lagos in 1998, he started Omega Fire Ministries in 2004.
Johnson said he became a millionaire at 19 while still in school. He earned the money by transporting cocoa in trucks from his state to northern Nigeria. The preacher owns a private jet and a fancy home in Edo State, Nigeria.
Apostle Johnson Suleman’s total wealth is over $10.5 million. The 52-year-old preacher owns a Rolls Royce Phantom, a Toyota Prado Jeep, and a private jet.
-
Pastor William Kumuyi – $10 million
Pastor William Kumuyi, born on June 6, 1941, is a devoted man of God, a TV preacher, and a writer. His ministry, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, has become famous worldwide.
Kumuyi studied Mathematics at the University of Ibadan and did further studies in Education at the University of Lagos.
He worked as a Math teacher at Mayflower School in 1962 and later at the University of Lagos.
Kumuyi started a Bible study group with 15 students, which grew into the Deeper Christian Life Ministry.
The 82-year-old pastor married his wife, Esther Folashade Kumuyi, in 2010, after his first wife, Abiodun Kumuyi, passed away in 2009. He has two sons.
Despite having a net worth of $10 million, Pastor Kumuyi remains humble and dedicated to his ministry.
-
Pastor Lazarus Muoka – $8 million
The last person on our list is Pastor Lazarus Muoka, the General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement. His ministry has attracted thousands of followers seeking spiritual healing and deliverance.
Muoka was born in Mgbidi, Imo state. He was formerly a Catholic but joined the Pentecostals in 1994 and started his ministry with a small group. The church, which began with just a few pioneer members, has grown to become one of the most popular churches in Nigeria.
Pastor Lazarus Muoka’s net worth is $8 million. Most of his wealth comes from his followers, the private enterprises he runs, and book sales. The pastor and author also receive gifts and donations from his congregation.
There isn’t much information available about the cars Pastor Lazarus Muoka owns because he is quite conservative and prefers to keep his personal life private.