This article contains the list of the top 14 richest pastors in Nigeria.
The pastoral ministry over the years has been reformed.
Gone are the days pastors were synonymous with suffering and hardship.
The days where they were dependent on their members for daily survival; wearing faded clothes and worn-out shoes.
They never wanted to entangle with material things as their reward was in heaven.
Presently, light has come, many pastors have broken free from such terrible mentality and have brushed up themselves to become enviable in the society.
In this present age, So many people aspire to be pastors, which was not so some years ago.
People have come to understand that, a call to serve God is not a call to suffer, and that, if God calls you, he will establish you.
Hence, in this article, I will be showing you the top 14 richest pastors in Nigeria.
How Nigerian Pastors Make Their Money
Some Nigerian pastors are not lazy or dependent on their members to meet their financial needs; they have other sources of income.
However, some are parasites, they unlawfully extort from their members using different schemes. They capitalize on the desperation of their members and extort from them excessively.
Top 14 Richest Pastors In Nigeria
Nigeria is no longer a home to poor wretched pastors but rich ones. These rich men of God are role models to those aspiring to be pastors. Moreover, these are the top richest pastors in Nigeria.
1. Bishop David Oyedepo
Bishop David O. Oyedepo is one of the richest pastors in Nigeria. He is a preacher, Christian author, educationist, businessman, architect, and the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel International.
He was named in 2011 by Forbes magazine as the richest pastor in Nigeria.
His net worth according to Forbes magazine in 2011 is US$150 million.
Some of Bishop Oyedepo’s authored books are:
- The Unlimited Power Of Faith
- In Pursuit Of Vision
- Pillars Of Destiny
- Signs & Wonders Today
- Exploits In Ministry
- Winning The War Against Poverty
- Walking In Dominion
- Possessing Your Possession
- The Wisdom That Works
- Exploits Of Faith
- Anointing For Exploits
- Understanding The Power Of Praise
- Walking In Newness Of Life
- Maximize Destiny
- Commanding The Supernatural
- Winning Invisible Battles, etc.
2. Pastor Enoch Adejara Adeboye
Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye is the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of Nigeria.
He has a degree in Mathematics from Obafemi Awolowo University. He taught part-time in Unilorin, before resigning to focus on his ministry.
The Redeemed Christian church is a household name in Nigeria, with worship centers dispersed nationwide.
Adeboye’s source of wealth ranges from chains of private investment, donations and gifts from his congregation, and proceeds from his worship centers.
3. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is the founder and president of Love World Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy. He is a pastor, faith healing minister, author, and television host.
Forbes estimated Oyakhilome’s wealth in 2011 as between $30 million and $50 million.
Pastor Chris is one of the tech-savvy gospel ministers in the country. He has numerous followers on Twitter and Facebook.
His ministry operates a custom smartphone messenger called KingsChat, a social network with numerous registered users worldwide.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is the author of several books, including Rhapsody of Realities, distributed monthly in many countries.
4. Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo is a clergyman and the senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre.
He is considered a preacher of the prosperity gospel.
His source of wealth comes from the sales of Christian Literature and documentaries from his media company called, Matthew Ashimolowo media.
KICC’s annual accounts verified that he earns an annual salary of £100,00, and his Net worth according to Forbes, 2011 is estimated to be $6-$10 million.
3. Bishop Ayodele Oritsejafor
Ayodele Joseph Oritsegbubemi Oritsejafor is the founder and Senior Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church.
He was the national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in February 2005, a position he held for five years.
In July 2010, he was elected President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Bishop Oritsejafor was the first to initiate a Miracle crusade from Africa to a world audience through satellite in 1987 with evangelist Joe Martins.
His sources of wealth are from private businesses, gifts, donations, and proceeds from his worship centers across the country.
In addition, some of his authored books are:
- Walking in Unity
- Breaking the Power of Yesterday
- The Non-Essentials
- The Stone That Killed Goliath
- How to get answers to unanswered prayers
- Power through the Church
- The Battle is in the Mind
- Be an Over-Comer
- Power for the Journey
- Faith Antidote for Daily Living
4. Pastor Chris Okotie
Pastor Christopher Okotie is a televangelist, politician, businessman, and the pastor of the Household of God Church International Ministries.
He is one of the richest pastors in Nigeria, and was a popular pop musician in the 1980s before becoming a gospel minister.
Forbes estimated his net worth at US$3–10 million in 2011.
5. Pastor Gbenga Oso
Pastor Gbenga Oso is the Founder of Laughter Foundation Church. He is best known for performing miracles for the “fruit of the womb”.
He makes money from praying for women having difficulty conceiving while encouraging them to be supportive of the gospel ministry.
6. Pastor Lazarus Muoka
Pastor Lazarus Muoka is one of the top richest pastors in Nigeria.
He is a healing pastor, evangelist, author, founder, and general overseer of the well-known church, The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement.
He was born in Mgbidi, Imo state, Nigeria. Before his calling and ministry, he had learned the vehicle spare part business and later established his spare part business which was paying off handsomely.
The many revelations he had from God in 1994 caused him to break out from the church he was serving as a pastor to establish his church with the goal of preaching the undiluted word of God.
Moreover, The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries is one of the most popular churches in Nigeria
The church attracts individuals from across the world weekly and has its branches scattered over the nation with almost every major city having numerous branches of the Lord’s Chosen.
Apart from being a pastor, Lazarus is also a prominent author of Christian books and journals. A handful of his published books are:
- How God Called Me
- “Mark My Words”
- “And Ye Shall Receive Power”
- “Ye Must Be Born Again”
- Christianity: A Better and Pure Religion
Also See: 10 Reasons Why There Are So Many Churches In Nigeria
7. Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Bishop Mike Okonkwo is one of the richest pastors in Nigeria. He is the founder and general overseer of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission established in 1981.
He was born on September 6, 1945, in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Before his calling and ministry, he joined the Nigerian ports authority in 1964 and worked only for three months before he ventured into the banking industry with African Continental Bank, aspiring to build a career there.
Dr. Mike Okonkwo graduated from the Morris Cerullo School of Ministry and the Covington Theological Seminary in the USA and holds several doctorate degrees and honorary awards.
8. Pastor Joshua Iginla
Joshua Iginla is a pastor, televangelist, and prosperity gospel preacher considered by some as a prophet.
He is the founder and senior pastor of the Champions Royal Assembly, a large church that meets in an 80,000 seat auditorium in Kubwa, Abuja.
Pastor Iginla, in 2019, celebrated his birthday with a new private jet. He is one of the pastors that owns a private jet in Nigeria.
9. Pastor Chinyere Chibuzor
Pastor Chinyere, who is also one of the richest pastors in Nigeria, is the founder and general overseer of the Omega Power Ministries popularly known as (OPM).
He is one of the richest pastors in Nigeria who owns a humanitarian foundation called The OPM Foundation.
His foundation has given hope to people as many souls are positively affected across the globe. Some of the foundation’s activities include rehabilitation empowerment, training, and alms-giving.
10. Dr. Daniel K. Olukoya
Dr. Daniel K. Olukoya is the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, and also one of the richest pastors in Nigeria.
He holds a first-class Honors degree in Microbiology from the University of Lagos, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from the University of Reading, United Kingdom.
He is a prophet, evangelist, teacher, and preacher of the gospel who desires to see God’s people set free from all bondages to fulfill their God’s given destiny.
He is known for spreading the message of God’s power to restore, break yokes, and for salvation to all nations, thereby stimulating a harvest of deliverance and spiritual breakthroughs by the power of the Holy Ghost.
He is the author of many books including the best-selling, Prayer Rain.
11. Pastor Wole Oladiyun
Pastor Wole Oladiyun oversees one of the fast-growing Pentecostal churches in Nigeria, widely known as Christ Living Spring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM).
From a handful of worshippers, within 14 years, Pastor Wole Oladiyun has brought CLAM into the limelight. Today, the ministry has great followership and is ranked among the top ministries in Nigeria.
He is an author and a philanthropist who gives generously to people.
12. Apostle Joseph Agboli
Apostle Joseph Agboli founded the Victorious Army Ministries International in 1995. Apostle Joseph Agboli is also one of the richest pastors in Nigeria.
The church is one of the fastest-growing churches in Nigeria. VAM is currently in Lagos State, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Abia, Abuja, Baltimore (USA), UK, South Africa.
13. Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi
Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi is one of the richest pastors in Nigeria.
He is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry. He is the author of several Christian books and devotionals.
14. Pastor Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere
Chukwueneka Ohanaemere primarily known as Odumeje is a wealthy controversial clergyman and general overseer of The Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry.
He is known for his unnatural methods of healing of supposedly demon-possessed individuals.
He maintains a good relationship with the Nigerian entertainment industry as Nigerian entertainers, are often in attendance during his Sunday church service or are spotted with him at private events.
Conclusion
If you are aspiring to be a pastor, you are on the right path. Gone are the days the gospel ministry was for poor uneducated people.
Also See: How To Start A Church In Nigeria
Nowadays, pastors graduates from different fields of study and they engage in other businesses for wealth.
That’s all on the top 14 richest pastors in Nigeria.