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20 Most Influential Pastors in Nigeria 2023
The most influential pastors in Nigeria are the most revered pastors in the country with many followers and a church auditorium that houses thousands to hundreds of thousands of worshippers.
The most influential pastors in Nigeria are the most revered pastors in the country with many followers and a church auditorium that houses thousands to hundreds of thousands of worshippers. The influence asserted by these pastors over their congregation is enormous which contributes to their influential status.
In a country that boasts millions of Christians population, these pastors that are listed in this article have a great level of influence on the lives of these millions. Additionally, the most influential pastors in Nigeria’s influence cut across other social economic designs of the country, having access to the highest level of authority, locally and internationally.
So, as we take a look at this article with the most influential pastors in Nigeria, it is good to also note, that some of the pastors on this list assert a great level of wealth which also contributes to their status as being influential among other things.
1. Enoch Adeboye
Pastor Adeboye who is the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God is one of the most influential pastors in Nigeria. He has served in many religious organizations as a leader in addition to being the leader of the most populous Pentecostal church in Nigeria and Africa with branches in 200 countries of the world.
2. David Oyedepo
Bishop David Oyedepo is the the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, and presiding Bishop of the Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. In addition to being one of the most influential pastors in Nigeria, David Oyedepo has also authored many Christian and leadership books that are among the best-selling in the world.
3. David Ibiyeomie
David Ibiyeomie is the founder of Salvation Ministries with its headquarters located in GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. He is one of the sons in the ministry to Bishop Oyedepo whom he considered a mentor and father. Ibiyeomie is an author and televangelist and most of the most prominent religious leaders in Nigeria.
4. Paul Enenche
The pastor of one of the biggest church auditoriums in Nigeria, Paul Enenche, is a very popular pastor in Nigeria. He is the senior pastor and founder of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre which is based in Abuja. Paul Enenche who is also a medical doctor, is one of the most influential Nigerian pastors with the church headquarters having a capacity auditorium that can accommodate 100,000 people making it one of the largest churches in the world with branches worldwide..
5. Chris Oyakhilome
Chris Oyakhilome who is one of the most influential pastors in Nigeria is the president of Loveworld Incorporated as well as the founding and senior pastor of Christ Embassy a mega-church that has its headquarters in Nigeria. Oyakhilome who is an author, philanthropist, and televangelist influence cut across many continents of the world and he is one of the most regarded and respected religious leaders in Nigeria.
6. William Folorunsho Kumuyi
Kumuyi is the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry one of the most populous churches in Nigeria, with branches in every state in the country and the world. In addition, he is regarded as one of the religious fathers in the country who has truly excelled in pastoral ministry as well as one of the oldest pastors in Nigeria.
7. Lazarus Muoka
Lazarus is the founder and General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement a church with branches in most parts of the country. His influence, however, has a base in the southeast, south-south, and southwest regions of Nigeria. The church has most of the church branches in this region, becoming one of the most popular churches in Nigeria
8. Tunde Bakare
Tunde Bakare is the founder of the Latter Rain Assembly a church with branches in some of the world. Bakare is also a political activist and supporter of Pan-Nigerianism and was a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church before leaving the church to start his own. In addition to his influence which cut across the religious landscape, he has also contested the position of the president of Nigeria in the 2011, 2019, and 2023 elections.
9. Daniel Olukoya
Daniel Olukoya is one of the most respected pastors in Nigeria. His influence cut across the religious and scientific world as he doubles as a pastor and a professor in the study of genetics. DKO is the founder and head pastor of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles ministry with branches across Nigeria and abroad.
10. Matthew Ashimolowo
Matthew Ashimolowo is the lead pastor and founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) with the headquarters located in the UK. He is a recognized global leader and pioneer of wealth creation and wealth management renowned as one of the most exciting and inspiring Christian voices on the world scene today. Ashimolowo is one of the most influential pastors in Nigeria and he has authored many books on religion, leadership, and wealth creation which has earned him respect in addition to creating the UK’s first church-owned television channel, KICC TV, which reaches 140 million around the world.
11. Johnson Suleman
Johnson Suleman is the founder, lead pastor, and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International. The church headquarters is based in Edo state with thousands of worshipers. He is a televangelist who has also written many books.
12. Sam Adeyemi
Sam Adeyemi is a renowned pastor and mentor who has written many books as a leader in the business and leadership world. He has been acknowledged by Forbes and other world organizations as being an excellent writer and leader. Sam Adeyemi is the founder and lead pastor of Day Star Christian Centre as well as president of Success Power, which is heard and seen in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. It is aimed at training people in the areas of business, wealth management, and leadership.
13. Paul Adefarasin
Paul Adefarasin is the founder and the lead pastor of House on the Rock church with branches all over the world. Adefarasin is one of the most influential pastors in Nigeria with influence not only in the Christian circle but his influence also in other places. He has built one of the most favorite and physically appealing churches in Nigeria. Additionally, he is the Convener and Host of “The Experience” a gospel concert that is held in Lagos every December, bringing gospel singers all over the world together.
14. Biodun Fatoyinbo
Biodun Fatoyinbo is the founder of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA). He is not only considered one of the most influential pastors but also one of the richest pastors in Nigeria. Fatoyinbo is a pastor who has influence over a large congregation with a church model which has become the standard for many pastors in Nigeria, a church wrapped in beauty and excellence.
15. Poju Oyemade
Poju Oyemade is the Senior Pastor and Founder of The Covenant Nation (TCN). He is also a public speaker with influence not only on his congregation but also on business and cooperate leaders. Poju is one of the most influential and popular pastors in Nigeria.
16. Joshua Selman
Joshua Selman is one of the most influential pastors in Nigeria, having a large influence among many people of different age groups in Nigeria. Apostle Joshua Selman as he is called, is a televangelist, public speaker, and also the founder and senior pastor of Eternity Network International (ENI). The network hosts a popular program called Koinonia which brings together young people from across Nigeria and Africa.
17. Joshua Iginla
He is the founder and senior pastor of the Champions Royal Assembly which is located in Abuja. The church auditorium which is considered one of the largest churches in Nigeria and Africa has a capacity to seat 80,000 people. Additionally, Joshua Iginla has gained popularity with people not only as a pastor, televangelist, and prosperity gospel preacher but most importantly as a prophet.
18. Jerry Eze
Pastor Jerry Eze is one of the most popular pastors in Nigeria who has a growing membership and audience. He is the founder of Streams of Joy International a church with branches in Nigeria, Canada, the US, and the United Kingdom. More importantly, Jerry Eze gained prominence with his “New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD)” – an online digital prayer meeting that he started during the Covid-19 pandemic that is hosted on YouTube attracting millions in viewership all over the world.
19. Arome Osayi
Apostle Arome Osayi who is a Nigerian pastor is a very influential pastor in Nigeria, with massive followers. He is the founder and President of the Remnant Christian Network, a Christian Organization with a global network of Apostolic centers and missions. His church is located in Makurdi, which aims at bringing people of all races back to God by finding their way home.
20. Korede Komaiya
Korede Komaiya is one of the most popular pastors in Nigeria as well as one of the richest. He is the founder and preacher, and the senior pastor of ‘The Master’s Place International Church. Korede Komaiya is a known consultant, and adviser on church growth, global issues, and business growth. He is also a teacher and motivational speaker and the facilitator of the “Business Summit,” a business conference that aims to eradicate poverty by teaching people how to manage their finances.