Oyedepo, Adeboye, Kumuyi, 7 other Nigerian pastors with multimillion-dollar net worths

• Religion plays a central role in the daily lives of many Nigerians, and the prosperity gospel has become a powerful force within Christendom
• While Nigerians grapple with economic challenges, some religious leaders have experienced financial growth, building multimillion-dollar empires
• Here are the top 10 wealthiest pastors in Nigeria

With more than 98 per cent of the population identifying as either Christian or Muslim, Nigeria is well-known for being a religious nation. Despite the public’s perception of a challenging economic situation, there are men of God experiencing rapid prosperity, and their financial success is striking and impossible to ignore.

Many perceive Nigerian pastors' lives as noteworthy because Christians believe that God rewards service. The special results of these pastors blending their spiritual mission with entrepreneurial investments are astonishing and vividly obvious to all. 

Christians believe in God's rewards for service, and this is notable in the lives of Nigerian Pastors. 

Here are the top 10 richest Nigerian Pastors.  

Top 10 wealthiest Nigerian pastors 

1. BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO - $150 MILLION

Credit: Daily Post Nigeria

Bishop David Oyedepo is known as the richest pastor in Nigeria and the second richest in the world. The founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide ministry (Winners Chapel International), whose net worth is $150 million. 

The man of God who recently celebrated his 70th birthday was gifted generously, and his state of wealth has been the subject of controversy. 

Oyedepo’s wealth can be attributed to his publishing company, Dominion Publishing House, his private university, Covenant University, and Faith Academy, an elite high school.

He currently has four private jets, and he is not shy about flaunting God's blessings on him in terms of wealth.

2. PASTOR ENOCH ADEBOYE - $110 MILLION 

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Enoch Adeboye's name is likely to be mentioned first when people talk about men of God in Nigeria. The current General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God is not only popular as a powerful and effective man of God but he is also known for his wealth. His net worth is rumoured to be around $110 million. 

The man of God, whose spiritual journey started in 1973 when he joined the Redeemed Christian Church of God and became the General Overseer in 1981, has faced accusations of using his teachings on giving as a primary source of income. However, he attributes his wealth and success to God’s blessings. 

3. PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME - $50 MILLION 

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Christ Embassy's founder and the author of the widely read Rhapsody of Realities is a televangelist who often faced criticism about his appearance, church doctrines, marriage, and wealth. He is currently the third richest pastor in Nigeria, with a net worth of $50 million. 

Recently, Pastor Chris hailed Elon Musk, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), as the top partner, collaborating with Rhapsody of Realities to share Jesus Christ's teachings with a broader range of people around the world. 

Musk’s endorsement has greatly boosted the material’s reach, which has already reached billions of readers globally. 

4. PASTOR DAVID IBIYEOMIE- $41 MILLION 

Credit: Intel Region 

David Ibioyeome is fourth among Nigeria’s top 10 richest pastors, with a net worth of $41 million. He is an author, televangelist, and founder of Salvation Ministries. 

In February 2011, his ministry launched 14 satellite churches in a single day, each with five services. The televangelist posted a video on his Instagram page in May 2024, testifying to how his wealth is attributed to God's blessings and rewards to his givings. 

5. PASTOR AYODELE ORITSEJAFOR- $32 MILLION

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The famous Nigerian pastor and founder of Word of Life Bible Church (WLBC), headquartered in Warri, Delta State, popularly known as Papa AYO Oritsejafor, began his ministry in 1972 and ranks number five on the list. 

The man of God, who recently testified on Instagram about his deliverance from deadly cancer, is known for his wealth. He was first the national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in 2005 and later became the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in 2010. He owns a $3.5 million Bombardier Challenger 601 private jet and many more. 

6. SAM ADEYEMI - $30 MILLION

Credit: Entrepreneurs.ng

The popular preacher and founder of Daystar Christian Centre has amassed his wealth through donations, book sales, public speaking, and sometimes leadership consultancy. He is known for his dynamic approach to spiritual matters and financial motivations. The former associate pastor of Rhema Chapel has successfully impacted lives with his financial and spiritual results. 

7. APOSTLE JOHNSON SULEMAN $25 MILLION.

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Johnson Suleiman is a Nigerian televangelist and the senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, who became a millionaire at age 19. 

He started his church in 2004 and has been at the centre of many controversies, with his authenticity as a man of God often questioned. 

However, Suleiman does not resist flaunting his wealth and gives God the credit, coupled with his cocoa business. 

The preacher owns a private jet, a luxurious home in his state, Edo, a Rolls Royce Phantom, and a Toyota Prado Jeep.

8. PASTOR MATTHEW ASHIMOLOWO- $20 MILLION 

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Matthew Ashimolowo, the founder of Kingsway International Christian Center, is a Muslim convert who subsequently enrolled into a Bible school and started ministry at the age of 22. 

Starting his ministry, he ventured into media and currently operates a media and publication company. He believes in a life of convenience and believes in giving. His donations and other businesses make him rank the eighth richest pastor in Nigeria. He owns a private jet, bulletproof Hummer Jeep, Range Rover Vogue Sport, Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes-Benz.

9. PASTOR BIODUN FATOYINBO- $16 MILLION 

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Among the top richest Nigerian Pastors, Biodun Fatoyinbo ranks ninth and is the youngest. The global senior pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly started his ministerial career in 1999 at the age of 23. 

His extravagant lifestyle birthed his nickname, ‘Gucci Pastor.’ Biodun Fatoyinbo is a charismatic, high-end pastor who enjoys the finer things of life. He drives a variety of brand-new cars to church. He has campuses in major cities across Africa and Asia. His ministry is supported by his wife, Modele. 

10. PASTOR WILLIAM KUMUYI- $10 MILLION

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You’re probably wondering how the general overseer ended up among the top 10 richest pastors in Nigeria, especially given the church’s doctrine and its less emphasis on prosperity. Well, here is a shocker!

The founder of Deeper Life Bible Church began his ministry at a young age as he maintained his strong commitment to God's work. Although his ministry does not flaunt its opulence in lifestyle, it has faced criticism. The pastor somehow made it into the top 10 richest pastors in Nigeria, and this is attributed to donations and book publications. 

The net worth of these pastors, given the country's current economic situation, shows that the gospel is prosperous. 

Abel Damina, Odumeje, Suleman, 8 other Nigerian pastors who have courted controversies

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported on 11 Nigerian pastors who have stirred controversies like extravagant lifestyles, financial scandals, sexual misconduct, and accusations of exploiting their followers.  

Among them are Apostle Johnson Suleman, Prophet Temitope Joshua, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, Prophet Odumeje and others.