Top 10 Most Powerful And Influential Pastors In Nigeria (2025)
This guide ranked the top 10 most powerful, and influential pastors In Nigeria, which is based on a couple of criteria like their legacy, teaching influence, public engagements, and lots more.
| Rank | Pastor Name | Church/Ministry |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pastor Enoch Adeboye | The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) |
| 2 | Bishop David Oyedepo | Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) |
| 3 | Pastor Chris Oyakhilome | LoveWorld Incorporated (Christ Embassy) |
| 4 | Pastor Paul Adefarasin | House on the Rock |
| 5 | Pastor Sam Adeyemi | Daystar Christian Centre |
| 6 | Bishop Mike Okonkwo | The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) |
| 7 | Pastor Daniel Olukoya | Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries |
| 8 | Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor | Word of Life Bible Church |
| 9 | Apostle Joshua Selman | Eternity Network International |
| 10 | Apostle Johnson Suleman | Omega Fire Ministries |
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1. Pastor Enoch Adeboye
Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, born on March 2, 1942, in Ifewara, Osun State, Nigeria, is one of the most powerful and influential pastors in Nigeria and around the world.
He is the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), a position he has held since 1981. Pastor Adeboye’s early life was tough. He grew up in a poor family, with his father being an illiterate farmer.
However, his strong desire for education led him to convince his father to send him to school, even going on a hunger strike to do so. He later studied at the University of Lagos, earning a degree in Mathematics and a Master’s in Hydrodynamics.
His spiritual journey began in 1973 when he gave his life to Christ. After serving in different roles in RCCG, he became its General Overseer in 1981, transforming the church into a global institution with millions of members worldwide.
Pastor Adeboye is not only known for his pastoral work but also for his social influence. In 2008, he was named one of the world’s 50 most influential people by Newsweek.
2. Bishop David Oyedepo
Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo is one of the most powerful and influential pastors in Nigeria and Africa. He is the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel.
Born on September 27, 1954, in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria, Oyedepo grew up with a mix of religious influences. His father, Ibrahim Oyedepo, was a Muslim healer, while his mother, Dorcas Oyedepo, was an Anglican.
Raised by his grandmother, he was introduced to Christianity at an early age. In 1969, at the age of 15, he accepted Christ, and in 1976, he received a divine calling to spread the word of faith.
In 1981, he founded the Living Faith Church, which quickly grew due to his dynamic preaching. His church now has millions of members worldwide, with branches in over 60 countries.
One of the notable achievements of his ministry was the construction of the Faith Tabernacle, one of the world’s largest church auditoriums, seating 109,000 people. He also founded Covenant University in 2002 and Landmark University in 2011, contributing to education in Nigeria.
3. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is a prominent Nigerian pastor, author, and televangelist. He was born on December 7, 1963, in Edo State, Nigeria, and he is recognized as one of the most powerful religious leaders in Africa and beyond.
Pastor Chris grew up in a Christian family, and he attended Ambrose Alli University, where he studied Architecture. During his time at university, he started the Youth for Christ fellowship, which helped many young people explore their faith.
In 1987, Pastor Chris founded Christ Embassy, also known as Believers’ LoveWorld Incorporated. What started as a small fellowship grew into a global ministry with followers in over 100 countries.
He is known for his powerful teachings on faith, healing, and prosperity. His daily devotional, Rhapsody of Realities, has been translated into over 8,000 languages. Pastor Chris also uses the media to spread his message.
He launched Africa’s first 24-hour Christian TV network, which reaches millions worldwide. He also uses social media to connect with his followers.
In addition to his ministry, Pastor Chris is involved in charity work, such as the Inner City Mission for Children, which supports disadvantaged children.
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4. Pastor Paul Adefarasin
Pastor Paul Adefarasin is one of Nigeria’s most powerful and influential pastors. Known for his strong leadership, inspiring sermons, and charitable work, he is the founder and senior pastor of House on the Rock, one of the largest churches in Nigeria, which has over 50 branches across Africa and Europe.
The church is famous for its modern worship style and attracts tens of thousands of people every week. Born on January 25, 1963, to Joseph Adefarasin, a judge, and Hilda Adefarasin, a women’s rights activist, Paul grew up in a Christian home.
He studied architecture at the University of Miami but struggled with substance abuse before he became a Christian in the early 1990s. However, he began his ministry in London and later founded House on the Rock in Lagos in 1994.
Pastor Adefarasin is also known for hosting “The Experience,” one of Africa’s largest gospel events. Through his charity, The Rock Foundation, he helps people in need, including drug addicts and ex-convicts. He is married to Ifeanyi Adefarasin, and they have three children.
5. Pastor Sam Adeyemi
Pastor Samuel Adesanya Adeyemi, born on February 3, 1967, in Ndayako, Niger State, Nigeria is one of the most influential pastors in the country. He is the founder and Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre.
Pastor Adeyemi is also a motivational speaker and leadership coach, reaching millions of people with his practical teachings on faith and success.
He grew up in a Christian family, studied Civil Engineering at Kwara State Polytechnic, and later earned a Master’s degree in Leadership Studies from the University of Exeter in the UK.
In 2017, he completed a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University in Virginia, USA. Pastor Adeyemi started his ministry in the early 1990s and founded Daystar Christian Centre in 1995.
The church developed in no time due to his powerful teachings on success in all areas of life. He also founded Success Power International, which helps people reach their potential through motivational seminars and leadership programs.
Through his books, media programs, and ministry, Pastor Sam Adeyemi has greatly impacted many lives. His legacy is about inspiring people to succeed while staying true to their faith.
6. Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Bishop Dr. Mike Okonkwo is one of the most powerful and influential pastors in Nigeria. He was born on September 6, 1945, in Ogbunike, Anambra State.
Bishop Dr. Mike Okonkwo grew up in a Christian home and attended several schools, including Salvation Army Primary School and Mayflower College.
After completing his education, Bishop Okonkwo had a life-changing experience with Jesus Christ in 1970, which led him to become a minister. He was ordained in 1971 and started pastoring in 1972.
In 1981, he founded The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), a church that has grown into one of the largest in Nigeria, with over 180 branches both in Nigeria and internationally. He has also held leadership roles, serving as the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) from 1998 to 2007.
Bishop Okonkwo is known for his philanthropic work, especially through the Empowerment for the Less Privileged Foundation, which supports education, health services, and vocational training for the underprivileged.
He is also involved in peace-building efforts in his community. Bishop Dr. Mike Okonkwo is married to Bishop Peace Okonkwo, and they have one daughter.
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7. Pastor Daniel Olukoya
Pastor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, the founder and General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) is one of Nigeria’s most influential pastors.
Born on July 15, 1957, in Akure, Ondo State, Dr. Olukoya’s father was a police officer and also a pastor. Dr. Olukoya earned a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from the University of Reading, UK. However, he started MFM in 1989, beginning with a small prayer meeting.
The church developed as people experienced miracles through prayer. Today, MFM has branches across Nigeria and around the world. His ministry is known for its powerful prayer services aimed at freeing people from spiritual oppression.
Dr. Olukoya has written over 250 books on prayer, deliverance, and spiritual growth. He is also a husband to Pastor Folashade Olukoya and has a son, Elijah Toluwani Olukoya.
8. Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is one of the most powerful and influential pastors in Nigeria. He is widely known as “Papa Ayo Oritsejafor” and is the founder and Senior Pastor of the Word of Life Bible Church (WLBC) in Warri, Delta State.
His church is one of the largest Pentecostal churches in Nigeria, with a large auditorium that holds 35,000 people. Born on November 10, 1949, in Lagos State, Oritsejafor became “born again” during an evangelical crusade in 1972, before he founded WLBC in 1987.
His influence also extends to television, with his “Hour of Deliverance” program reaching people worldwide. Oritsejafor was the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria. He is married to Helen Oritsejafor, and they have three children.
9. Apostle Joshua Selman
Apostle Joshua Selman Nimmak is a notable Nigerian pastor, teacher, and founder of Eternity Network International (ENI), a ministry that has impacted many lives. He was born on June 25, 1980, in Langtang, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Growing up in a Christian family, with his maternal grandfather being the first president of the Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN), Selman developed a strong faith from an early age. He gave his life to Christ during a Sunday School session.
Selman studied Chemical Engineering at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. His ministry began to develop during his university years and grew stronger after a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ in 2002.
In 2011, he founded Eternity Network International (ENI), with its weekly outreach program, Koinonia, which has become known for teachings, healing, and miracles.
His teachings are recognized for being deep and practical, focusing on spiritual growth, faith, and personal encounters with God. In short, his ministry has positively affected many people, with many testimonies of healing and deliverance.
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10. Apostle Johnson Suleman
Apostle Johnson Suleman is one of the most powerful and influential pastors in Nigeria. He is the founder and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, a popular church with branches all over Nigeria and even in other countries.
Apostle Suleman is known for his powerful preaching and healing services, where many people testify of miraculous healing and life-changing experiences.
Apart from his ministry, Apostle Suleman has helped many people by providing for their needs, such as giving scholarships to students and supporting widows and orphans.
He is also an outspoken advocate for the rights of the oppressed and regularly speaks on national issues. Through his television programs and social media presence, Apostle Suleman reaches millions of people, offering them spiritual guidance and teachings.
