- Pastors are often revered and worshipped in Nigeria as religion forms a big part of the lives of Nigerians
- Some pastors have been in the news for the wrong reasons
- Here are 11 controversial Nigerian pastors
Pastors in Nigeria are often seen as powerful and influential figures mainly because Nigeria is a country where religion plays a huge role in people’s lives.
However, some pastors have become well-known not just for their teachings, but for the controversies they have stirred. These controversies include issues like extravagant lifestyles, financial scandals, sexual misconduct, and accusations of exploiting their followers, among others.
In this article, TheRadar looks at eleven Nigerian pastors who have been in the news for the wrong reasons, in no particular order.
11 controversial Nigerian Pastors
1. Apostle Johnson Suleman
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The founder of Omega Fire Ministries International is known to be the most controversial Nigerian pastor. He has been in the news for many controversial reasons. In 2017, Stephanie Otobo, a Canada-based Nigerian singer accused the man of God of having an affair with her, threatening her and attempting to murder her but Suleman denied having anything to do with her. In 2023, a Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar alleged that she dated the cleric for six years and was pregnant for him three times. She also claimed her life was in danger and that he should be held responsible if anything were to happen to her. In 2022, Apostle Suleman’s convoy was attacked by gunmen who killed three policemen and four others. This generated a lot of controveroversy for the cleric.
2. Prophet TB Joshua
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The late founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) was accused of abuse and toruring multiple women for over 20 years. There were also allegations of child abuse in his Lagos house. During his lifetime, many people also believed that he staged his miracles.
3. Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo
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In 2019, the founder of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) was accused of defilement and sexual abuse by Busola Dakolo, wife of popular Nigerian Singer, Timi Dakolo. She claimed he abused her before she turned 18. In 2013, Ese Walter, a lawyer and On Air Personality accused him of having an affair with her. The cleric denied all allegations leveled against him.
4. Bishop Francis Wale Oke
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The General Overseer of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries confessed to an adulterous lifestyle. He confessed before his congregation that he had an affair with his secretary. Reports also had it that she aborted several pregnancies for him.
5. Pastor Tobi Adegboyega
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The founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church was accused of adultery by a Super Eagles player, Olanrewaju Kayode. The athlete claims Pastor Adegboyega had an affair with his wife, Ezinne and filed a petition in court suing the cleric for N1 billion in damages.
6. Apostle Chris Omashola
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The head of the Zionwealth Church was caught in a scandal when a, intimate video of himself and one Tamaratokoni Okpewho surfaced online in 2018. He later confessed that he indeed fornicated with her and that they recorded more than 10 sex tapes.
7. Prophet Odumeje
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Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere also known as Odumeje, is the General Overseer of the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry. He is also known as Indaboski Bahose. He is famous his deliverance techniques and many Nigerians believe he is a false prophet because of the many powers he claims to posses. He went viral when he was seen in a video lying down on a woman during a supposed deliverance session. He recently released a song with Flavour, about the said powers he claims to posses.
8. Pastor Joshua Iginla
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In 2019, Pastor Joshua Iginla confessed to committing adultery during a church sermon. He confessed that both he and his wife had extra-marital affairs which resulted in children. He is the senior pastor of Champions Royal Assembly, Abuja.
9. Pastor Paul Adefarasin
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The founder of the House on the Rock church was accused of smashing the windows of a commercial bus in Lagos. According to reports, the commercial bus had brushed the cleric’s luxurious vehicle in traffic when he came down from his car and allegedly used his fist to smash the windows of the bus, injuring some of the passengers in the process. During the 2023 general elections, he came under fire for his “Saul will come before David” comment.
10. Pastor Abel Damina
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The senior pastor of Power City International is controversial for often taking bold stands against other clerics. He has tackled a lot of other men of God, claiming they staged miracles, shaming them for demanding tithes, and others. He also makes bold statements that question the authenticity of some Christian doctrines.
11. Pastor Feyi Daniels
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The founder of iReign Christian Ministry has been in the news for his controversial and failed prophecies. He was also sentenced to prison for raping a church member and an assistant pastor in 2024. His failed prophecies include; President Bola Tinubu’s arrest on inauguration day, the emergence of former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo as president, the arrest of Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the defeat of the current Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara at the gubernatorial elections in 2023, among others.
Reactions as Pastor Jerry Eze earns N7 billion on YouTube, emerges one of Nigeria’s top earners
Manwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Pastor Jerry Eze, the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD) and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International, emerged as one of the highest earners on YouTube with over N7 billion in revenue.
Eze’s YouTube channel draws all kinds of people from both home and abroad in need of prayers, prophetic declarations and a demonstration of God’s power.