God is big business in Nigeria, and the pastors dont hide it either. Nigeria is home to some of the wealthiest pastors in the world, with a total net worth of millions of dollars. According to Forbes Magazine in 2011, the top ten richest Nigerian pastors have an estimated total wealth of over $300million dollars. These are major-league, business-savvy guys that dont just draw millions of followers but earn their respect too. But is this all for God as they would make us believe?
Nigeria is a poor country by western standards, but in the middle of it lies a wealthy elite, not the corrupt politicians this time, but church leaders. Prosperity gospel is the new buzz word in Nigeria, and it preaches that God's blessing is directly proportional to financial prosperity, and wealth is a form of reward to those who serve God faithfully. In a country where many parts of the population struggle to keep bread on the table, this sort of message surely has mass appeal. But the hope of prosperity doesn't come cheap as followers have to "give so that they can receive". So every Sunday service, Nigerians donate generously to their churches and expect to be uplifted by God and rewarded in "ten folds". Some Churches hold up to three different services on every given Sunday. I am sure that the total amount of tithes donated by Nigerian church goers every Sunday must run into millions of dollars. The church leaders tell their congregation that all the money is to expand the church and spread the word of God farther and wider. Now lets look at some of these wealthy pastors and their assets:
1. Bishop David Oyedepo
Officially the wealthiest Pastor in Nigeria, David Oyedepo, 58, has an estimated net worth of $150 million (2011 Forbes Magazine). He is the founder of Living Faith World Outreach, also known as Winner's Chapel, founded in 1981. The Winners' Chapel network of churches is present in over 300 cities and towns in Nigeria, as well as in over 63 cities in 32 other African Nations, Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (Wikipedia). Bishop Oyedepo's Faith Tabernacle in Lagos, headquarters of Winners' Chapel seats 55,000 Nigerians comfortably every Sunday, it is the largest church space on the continent I would say. Affectionately refered to as "Papa" by congregation members, Oyedepo owns 4 private jets with homes in London and the US. He also owns Dominion Publishing House which publishes all the ministry's books. He recently launched an airline, Dominion Airline, through which he now puts his private jets to commercial use. He has got investments in the education sector and owns Convenant University, an elite institution that caters for some of Nigeria's upper class children. Oyedepo was embroiled in a 2011 controversy where a video of one of his church services appeared to show him accusing children of witchcraft and slapping one of them in full glare of the congregation. See video here
Officially the wealthiest Pastor in Nigeria, David Oyedepo, 58, has an estimated net worth of $150 million (2011 Forbes Magazine). He is the founder of Living Faith World Outreach, also known as Winner's Chapel, founded in 1981. The Winners' Chapel network of churches is present in over 300 cities and towns in Nigeria, as well as in over 63 cities in 32 other African Nations, Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (Wikipedia). Bishop Oyedepo's Faith Tabernacle in Lagos, headquarters of Winners' Chapel seats 55,000 Nigerians comfortably every Sunday, it is the largest church space on the continent I would say. Affectionately refered to as "Papa" by congregation members, Oyedepo owns 4 private jets with homes in London and the US. He also owns Dominion Publishing House which publishes all the ministry's books. He recently launched an airline, Dominion Airline, through which he now puts his private jets to commercial use. He has got investments in the education sector and owns Convenant University, an elite institution that caters for some of Nigeria's upper class children. Oyedepo was embroiled in a 2011 controversy where a video of one of his church services appeared to show him accusing children of witchcraft and slapping one of them in full glare of the congregation. See video here
2. Chris Oyhakilome
Popularly known as "Pastor Chris", 51, is the founder of Believers' Loveworld Ministries also known as Christ Embassy. With an estimated net worth of between $30 million - $50 million, Pastor Chris runs an elite congregation including successful business executives and high level politicians. He owns three television channels: LoveWorld TV, LoveWorld SAT and LoveWorld Plus. His other interests include newspapers, hotels and extensive real estate. His Loveworld TV Network holds the record for the first Christian network to broadcast from Africa on a 24-hour basis. Pastor Chris was embroiled in a 2010 court case over money laundering, but the case was eventually dismissed.
Popularly known as "Pastor Chris", 51, is the founder of Believers' Loveworld Ministries also known as Christ Embassy. With an estimated net worth of between $30 million - $50 million, Pastor Chris runs an elite congregation including successful business executives and high level politicians. He owns three television channels: LoveWorld TV, LoveWorld SAT and LoveWorld Plus. His other interests include newspapers, hotels and extensive real estate. His Loveworld TV Network holds the record for the first Christian network to broadcast from Africa on a 24-hour basis. Pastor Chris was embroiled in a 2010 court case over money laundering, but the case was eventually dismissed.
3. Temitope Joshua
Age: 49. Popularly known as TB Joshua, is one of Africa's most controversial pastors, with a net worth of between $10 million - $15 million, he is founder and head of the Synagogue Church of All Nations. His spaectacular miracle sessions that claim to heal diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS, have won him attention across the world, and has been seen with many famous African Presidents including late Fredrick Chiluba of Zambia. He runs a satellite TV channel, Emmanuel TV, and won awards from the Nigerian Government in recognition of his charitable work.
4. Matthew Ashimolowo
Founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), the largest Pentecostal Church in the United Kingdom. In 2009, Ashimolowo's church posted profits of close to $10million and assets worth $40million. He runs a media company, Ashimolowo Media, which produces Christian literature and documentaries.
Founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), the largest Pentecostal Church in the United Kingdom. In 2009, Ashimolowo's church posted profits of close to $10million and assets worth $40million. He runs a media company, Ashimolowo Media, which produces Christian literature and documentaries.
These are just four of the handful of Nigerian super-rich pastors who preside over multi-million dollar congregations, or are they "corporations"?
In Nigeria, Churches and other places of worship are designated as charity organisations hence do not pay corporation tax, nor pay capital gains tax on disposal of their assets. Traditionally, churches are regarded as places that provide help for the poor, take care of the homeless and carry out a lot of public good. Taxing them, it is assumed, will mean religious persecution. Some have pointed out also that exempting religious organisations from tax is a way to maintain separation of Religion and the State. Taxing churches, it is said, will put a great deal of power in the hands of government who may abuse it.
At the same time though, not taxing these big churches that make millions of dollars every year amounts to a significant lost revenue for government, and an enrichment of a few who are clever enough to hide all their business exploits under the name of charity. Even Jesus said one of his sermons when asked whether Christians should pay tax, he said "give unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's". Churches nowadays, particularly the Pentecostal ones, have evolved into a cash generating machine for its founders. The founders claim their business exploits are to expand the church and spread the word of God and they do not own personal assets, all belongs to the church. But for whose benefit? Nigeria's poverty level is increasing every year as many thousands of peoplecontinue to live below the poverty line. So what have these churches done to alleviate poverty in Nigeria. In my opinion you should solve one problem before moving to the next. Instead of these churches expanding all over the world, staying in Nigeria and improving the lives of its ordinary people will be a laudable project. If there are fewer homeless people on the streets of Lagos due to the work of these churches, I am sure the world will commend them. If members of these churches have access to free or subsidised healthcare, then they are doing something significant for the society. If poor village children who cannot afford even school shoes are helped to go to school, then they are helping society. How can they all earn these millions and not improve their environment? But rather they continue to open more branches everywhere else in the world.
These pastors also shy away from politics and rarely criticise government. Instead we see them at the echelons of power wining and dining with presidents and senators, they tell us they are praying for Nigeria. Well, maybe they need to do more than pray, action will be better. We need to see these big pastors use their immense power and influence to transform Nigeria for good. But you know what, that will never happen. Many politicians attend these churches and their tithes are not small. They donate "major-league" cash.
Every corner you turn in Nigeria there is a church and a pastor claiming to speak to God directly, hence can solve problems. But no Pastor has come up with the solution to the deteriorating security situation in the north of the country, nor any solution to the corruption that has engulfed the country from top to bottom. Yet they talk to God everyday and are "God's anointed".
I wrote this article not as a solution but an examination of the rise of big corporations disguised as Pentecostal Churches in Nigeria. It is time Nigerians wake up and recognise that the solution to our problems does not lie with the big pastors, rather they may be part of the problem.
