There are a number of Nigerian clergymen who are known around the world for how wealthy they are and the extent to which their empires as well as ministries are large. These men mostly made their money through their pastoral works and also have businesses outside of the churches they run.
In this article, we will list 10 of the richest pastors in Nigeria who are multi-millionaires, have properties home and abroad, own gigantic churches across the globe and move around with heavily guarded convoys.
10. Pastor Lazarus Muoka (Lord’s Chosen) – $8 million
The Founder of The Lord`s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement, Pastor Lazarus Muoka is worth $8 million. He is a native of Imo state, born into a Catholic family, owns private businesses and is also a renowned author of Christian books and journals.
Muoka joined the Pentecostals in 1994 and started The Lord’s Chosen with a small group but it has grown to be one of the most popular churches with branches across Nigeria and Africa. He made most of his wealth through proceeds from his large congregation. His members recently tried to get him a private jet to use while moving from one city to another.
9. Pastor William Kumuyi (Deeper Life) – $10 million
Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi is the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministry. His net worth is around $10 million.
He graduated from the University of Ibadan with a degree in Mathematics. Kumuyi started a Bible study group with 15 students and built the Deeper Christian Life Ministry. The revered clergyman has been known to go for events in private jets and limousine.
8. Apostle Johnson Suleman (Omega Fire) – $10.5 million
General Overseer and Senior Pastor at Omega Fire Ministries (OFM), Apostle Johnson Suleman is worth $10.5 million. He founded OFM in 2004 but before that he was an assistant pastor at the Armor of God Church in Lagos from 1998 to 2004.
According to Johnson, he was still a 19-year-old student when he became a millionaire. He said his riches was made through moving cocoa in trucks from his state to northern Nigeria. The fiery preacher owns a private jet and a luxurious home in Edo State.
7. Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo (Kingsway Center) – $15 million
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo is a senior pastor at the Kingsway International Christian Center, KICC. He converted from Islam to Christianity at the age of 20 and is now 71 with a net worth of $15 million. He has several private investments in businesses, runs a radio program, ”Winning Ways” which is aired daily on radio and TV stations in Nigeria, London, The Netherlands, Ghana and Zimbabwe.
Ashimolowo also receives expensive gifts and donations from his congregation, and reportedly earns $250,000 salary. He is into the sale of Christian literature and documentaries from his media company (Matthew Ashimolowo media). He owns a range of exotic cars like Porsche Cayeen Jeep, Range Rover Vogue Sport, Bullet-proof Hummer Jeep, etc.
6. Pastor Sam Adeyemi (Daystar Centre) – $30 million
Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre is worth $30 million. He owns a non-profit leadership and management development school (Daystar Leadership Academy) founded in 2002. Adeyemi launched Daystar Christian Centre in 1995 and since then he has gone to become very successful. Some of his high-end cars include Mercedes-Benz S350 and Lexus LX570.
5. Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor (Word of Life) – $32 million
Founder of the Word of Life Bible Church in Warri, Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor is a former National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and a one time president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). He is worth around $32 million. Oritsejafor is one of those clerics who do not rent jets because he has a private jet. He owns a $3.5 million Bombardier Challenger 601 and a fleet of luxurious cars including a limousine.
The First Pentecostal archbishop in Nigeria, Benson Idahosa converted Oritsejafor in 1972 and he has held several crusades with over 2,000,000 attendees. The cleric runs a TV Programme, ”Hour of Deliverance”, which he uses to bring the message of salvation to Christians.
4. Pastor David Ibiyeomie (Salvation Ministries) – $41 million
Pastor David Ibiyeomie is a televangelist and the founder of the Salvation Ministries which has more than 30 branches. Ibiyeomie’s net worth is somewhere around $41 million.
The clergyman established Word of Faith Bible Institute and built expensive houses in Lagos and Rivers. On his 55th birthday, he made a loud statement by purchasing a private jet. He owns a Rolls Royce Phantom, Limousine and Range Rover.
3. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (Christ Embassy) – $50 million
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, founder of Believers’ Loveworld Ministries, a.k.a Christ Embassy ranks third with an estimated net worth of $50 million. He used to perform miracles in church with over 40,000 members as witnesses but the authorities banned him from any further act.
He regularly publishes a book called Rhapsody of Realities which is shared for free in over a dozen countries. His Loveworld TV Network is the first Christian network to broadcast from Africa to the rest of the world on a 24-hour basis.
Oyakhilome owns a Bentley GTC, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, Range Rover Sport, to mention a few. The pastor also bought two private jets which is believed to be worth N500 million each. He has several investments in magazines, TV, satellite TV, hotels, real estate and a record label called Believers’ Loveworld Music which signed gospel artistes’ Ada Jesus, Sinach and Frank Edwards.
2. Pastor Enoch Adeboye (Redeem Church) – $65 million
The second on the list of richest pastors is Enoch Adejare Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) which was founded in 1990. He is a graduate of Mathematics who became the Senior Pastor of RCCG in 1981. His net worth is in the area of $65million.
The church which generates at least two million dollars of tithe every year has a private university known as Redeemers University. Pastor Adeboye also has four private jets he uses for domestic and international flights.
1. Bishop David Oyedepo (Living Faith/Winners Chapel) – $150 million
Top on the list is General Overseer of Living Faith Church Worldwide also known as Winners Chapel, David Oyedepo, He founded the church in 1981 and it presently has many branches worldwide. Oyedepo’s net worth is $150 million, making him arguable the richest pastor in Nigeria and Africa.
The renowned clergyman established two universities namely; Landmark and Covenant University, and a secondary school; Faith Academy. He owns homes in London and the United States as well as four private jets and a helicopter.
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