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10 Most Famous Igbo Pastors
Curious to know about famous Igbo pastors? We’ve put together a list of the top 10 Igbo pastors who have made a name for themselves with their impactful ministries. Let’s explore this remarkable group of spiritual leaders:
The Igbo community is renowned for its cultural heritage and strong religious convictions. Among this vibrant community, numerous pastors have risen to prominence and wield considerable influence. Here are the top 10 most renowned Igbo pastors who have a lasting impression through their preaching and spiritual guidance.
1. Rev Mbaka
Father Mbaka, also known as Ejike Camillus Anthony Ebenezer Mbaka is one of the Igbo pastors and he is a well-known figure in Nigeria as a Catholic clergyman, musician, and the founder of Adoration Ministries in Enugu. He holds a prominent position among religious leaders in the southeastern region of the country.
Rev Mbaka was born in Amata Ituku, a village in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mbaka grew up in a family whose occupation was tapping palm wine. He received his secondary education at St. Vincent’s Secondary School in Agbogugu, also located in Awgu Local Government Area.
In pursuit of his calling, Mbaka attended Seat of Wisdom Seminary in Owerri, Imo State, and later St. Joseph’s Seminary Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State, where he underwent training for the priesthood. It was on the 29th of July, 1995, that he was ordained as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church, belonging to the order of Melchizedek.
2. Pastor Lazarus Muoka
Lazarus Muoka, a Nigerian Igbo pastor, minister, and author, is the founder and General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement. He was born into a Catholic family in Umuhu-Okabia, Imo State. After completing his primary and secondary education, he moved to Lagos in 1975. Initially, he worked for a company before venturing into his own business. However, his life took a turn when he embraced Christianity wholeheartedly.
In 1994, Lazarus Muoka claimed to have received several dreams from God. These dreams led him to leave the church where he served as a pastor and establish his own church. With the vision of preaching the unadulterated word of God, he founded The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement. Starting with just a few members, the church has now gained immense popularity in Nigeria.
Besides his pastoral work, Lazarus Muoka is also a respected author, focusing on Christian literature. Some of his notable publications include “How God Called Me,” “Mark My Words,” “And Ye Shall Receive Power,” “Ye Must Be Born Again,” and “Christianity: A Better and Pure Religion.”
3. Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Bishop Mike Okonkwo is a pastor from the Igbo community. He was born on September 6th, 1945 in Ogbunike, Anambra State, Nigeria. He is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), a church with over 180 branches in Nigeria and ten countries worldwide. Bishop Okonkwo has been serving the Lord for more than 30 years, preaching the power of the Word to a diverse audience.
He is highly respected and has impacted the lives of millions globally. Besides his pastoral role, he is also an author, conference speaker, and TV and radio host. Bishop Okonkwo holds multiple doctorate degrees and honorary awards, having graduated from the Morris Cerrullo School of Ministry and the Covington Theological Seminary in the USA. He is actively involved in various ministerial organizations and is happily married to Bishop Peace Okonkwo, with whom he shares a daughter.
4. Bishop David Ogbueli
Chukwudi David Ogbueli was born on 28 April 1968 in Alor, Anambra State, Nigeria. He started The New Covenant Family campus fellowship in 1991 at the University of Nigeria, which later expanded to other tertiary institutions in Nigeria. In 1995, Dominion City began as a small fellowship in Enugu and has since grown to over 750 chapters across Nigeria and other countries. Pastor David is the host of the TV and Radio Program called Expand Your World.
He is also the President of the Golden Heart Foundation, an NGO focused on raising leaders for national transformation. He has authored books such as Discipleship Codes, Praying Through the Gates of Time, and The Glory of the Eagle. David Ogbueli is married to Sarah Ogbueli, and they have two sons and two daughters.
5. Apostle Anselm Madubuko
Apostle Anselm Madubuko is one of the Igbo Pastors in Nigeria. He is the founder and leader of Revival Assembly Ministries International (The New Anointing). The church aims to raise a vibrant, spirit-filled, and prosperous community. Revival Assembly is one of the prominent Pentecostal churches in Nigeria.
Apostle Anselm was born on July 25, 1958, in Orsumoghu, Anambra State. He attended Government Secondary School in Afikpo and studied Architecture at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.
In 1990, at the age of 33, Apostle Anselm answered God’s call to full-time ministry. He founded Revival Assembly on December 16, 1990, initially located on Oritshe Street in Ikeja, Lagos. Later, the church moved to its permanent site at 1-7 Revival Close, Cocoa Industries Road, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, on December 2, 1994.
Apostle Anselm is passionate about revival and believes in empowering believers to transform their communities and nations spiritually. This led him to start the annual revival program called AZUZA, which has been running for almost two decades.
6. Bishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu
Fortunatus Nwachukwu is a Nigerian Catholic prelate. He currently serves in the Roman Curia as the secretary of the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization. He joined the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1994 and became an archbishop in 2012.
Born on May 10, 1960, in Ntigha, Abia State, Nigeria, Nwachukwu attended Immaculate Conception Seminary in Ahiaeke Umuahia starting in January 1972. He taught mathematics and Latin there from 1975 to 1977. He furthered his studies at the Bigard Memorial Seminary in Ikot Ekpene, specializing in philosophy from 1977 to 1980 and theology from 1980 to 1984. During this time, he earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree with the highest honors.
Nwachukwu was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Umuahia on June 17, 1984, by Bishop Anthony Gogo Nwedo in St. Eugene Parish Church in Aba. Later, he became a vice-rector at the Immaculate Conception Seminary and served as a parochial vicar and administrator of St. Anne’s Parish in Ibeku from 1984 to 1986. Additionally, he held roles as the diocesan vocations director and chaplain of the Federal College of Agriculture and the Umuahia Campus of Alvan Ikoku College of Education.
On April 2, 1990, Nwachukwu was incardinated in the newly created Diocese of Aba. His dedication and achievements led him to his current position in the Catholic Church hierarchy.
7. Rev. Paul Emeka
Rev. Paul Emeka, a prominent Igbo pastor, and leader in the Assemblies of God, Nigeria, was born in Okpuje, Enugu State. He is well-known for his expertise as a Bible teacher. He is married and has three children. Rev. Paul Emeka served as the former General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Nigeria. He attended St. Peter’s Primary School in Okpuje, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. For his secondary education, he attended Commercial Secondary School in Ayangba, Kogi State.
The headquarters of the Assemblies of God Nigeria is located at R/8 Ozubulu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu. In 2010, Rev. Paul Emeka was elected as the General Superintendent of the Church.
8. Pastor Chukwuemeka Odumeje (Indaboski)
Chukwuemeka Cyril Ohanaemere, also known as Odùméje is an Igbo Pastor, a Nigerian clergyman, and a musician. He is the general overseer of The Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry. Odùméje was born in Anambra State, Nigeria, and is the third child in a family of six children.
He gained attention for his claimed methods of healing and earned the nickname “The wrestling pastor.” He had a feud with a former associate named Ada Jesus, who accused him of being a false prophet. In March 2022, his church building was marked for demolition due to obstructing drainage channels. Odùméje tried to stop the operation and was manhandled by government officials. However, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo promised to discipline those responsible for manhandling him. Odùméje is married to Uju Ohanaemere.
9. Rev. Fr Oluoma
Rev. Fr. John Oluoma Chinyere is one of the Igbo Pastors in Nigeria. He is a well-known priest based in Abuja, Nigeria, and serves in the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja. Fr Oluoma is a preacher, teacher, counselor, and musician who uses the internet to spread the word of God worldwide. Rev. Oluoma is passionate about using technology to help people break free from ignorance and manipulation by sharing the word of God, praying, and ministering to them. He is originally from Imo State in southeastern Nigeria and his birthdate is January 25, but his exact age is unknown. According to thenaija.fame.com, Fada Oluoma is estimated to be in his late 30s or early 40s. He started his journey towards priesthood at a young age and eventually became ordained.
10. Pastor Chris Okafor
Chris Okafor is a Nigerian Christian minister and televangelist. He founded the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, also known as Liberation City. Through the Chris Okafor Humanity Foundation, he provides skills programs and scholarships to underprivileged students. Okafor’s World Outreach Ministry, known as COWOM, spreads Liberation theology in various African countries and runs Liberation TV, a television channel.