1. Bishop David Oyedepo
Affiliation: Living Faith World Outreach Ministry,
aka Winners Chapel
Estimated net worth: $150 million
David Oyedepo is Nigeria’s wealthiest preacher.
Ever since he founded the Living Faith World
Outreach Ministry in 1981, it has grown to
become one of Africa’s largest congregations. The
Faith Tabernacle, where he hosts three services
every Sunday, is Africa’s largest worship center,
with a seating capacity of 50,000. Oyedepo owns
four private jets and homes in London and the
United States. He also owns Dominion Publishing
House, a thriving publishing company that
publishes all his books (which are often centered
on prosperity). He founded and owns Covenant
University, one of Nigeria’s leading tertiary
institutions, and Faith Academy, an elite high
school.
2. Chris Oyakhilome
Church: Believers’ Loveworld Ministries, a.k.a
Christ Embassy
Estimated net worth: $30 million – $50 million
Last year, the charismatic preacher was at the
center of a $35 million money laundering case in
which he was accused of siphoning funds from
his church to foreign banks. Pastor Chris pleaded
no wrongdoing and the case was eventually
dismissed. His church, Christ Embassy, boasts
more than 40,000 members, several of whom
are successful business executives and
politicians. Oyakhilome’s diversified interests
include newspapers, magazines, a local television
station, a record label, satellite TV, hotels and
extensive real estate. His Loveworld TV Network is
the first Christian network to broadcast from
Africa to the rest of the world on a 24 hour basis.
3. Temitope Joshua
Church: Synagogue Church Of All Nations
(SCOAN)
Estimated net worth: $10 million – $15 million
Nigeria’s most controversial clergyman is also
one of its richest and most philanthropic. T.B
Joshua heads the Synagogue Church of all
Nations (SCOAN), a congregation he founded in
1987, which accommodates over 15,000
worshippers on Sundays. The Pastor has
remained controversial for several years for his
inexplicable powers to heal all sorts of incurable
diseases, including HIV/AIDS, cancer and
paralysis. For miracle-craving worshippers, it’s
the perfect seduction. The church currently has
branches in Ghana, the United Kingdom, South
Africa, and Greece. In the past three years, he
has given over $20 million to causes in
education, healthcare and rehabilitation
programs for former Niger Delta militants. He
owns Emmanuel TV, a Christian television
network, and is close friends with Ghanaian
President Atta Mills.
4. Matthew Ashimolowo
Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC)
Estimated net worth: $6 million – $10 million
In 1992, Foursquare Gospel Church, a Nigerian
church, sent Ashimolowo to open a satellite
branch in London. But Pastor Matthew had other
ideas and decided to set up his own church
instead. Today, his Kingsway International
Christian Center is reportedly the largest
Pentecostal church in the United Kingdom. In
2009, the church posted profits of close to $10
million and assets worth $40 million.
Ashimolowo earns an annual salary of $200,000,
but his real wealth comes from varied business
interests including his media company, Matthew
Ashimolowo media, which churns out Christian
literature and documentaries. Ashimolowo’s
representatives did not respond to a request
confirming his net worth and ownership of all
these assets.
5. Chris Okotie
Church: Household of God Church
Net worth: $3 million -$10 million
Pastor Okotie made his first success as a popular
pop musician in the 80s. He found the light,
embraced the bible and set up the Household of
God Church, one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant
congregations. His 5,000 member church
consists predominantly of Nollywood celebrities,
musicians, and society people. He contested and
lost Nigerian presidential elections for the third
time this year under the Fresh Party, a political
party he founded and funds. An automobile
lover, he owns a Mercedes S600, Hummer and
Porsche among several others.
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