To many Nigerians today, it is very difficult to convince them that running churches is not a vastly profitable venture. They see everyday pastors moving from a live of average financial status to stupendous wealth in a matter of months.

We have profiled what is believed in many quarters and according to Forbes Magazine as the top 5 richest pastors and preachers in Nigeria. Several of them clearly show aptitude and business sense in consolidating and expanding their wealth base through private businesses in various niches.

Here are the self proclaimed men of God in Nigeria who earn biggest and are worth a King’s ransom. The richest pastors in Nigeria;

1. Bishop David Oyedepo:

Bishop Oyedepo is the head pastor and founder of Living Faith World Outreach Ministry (aka Winners Chapel). His estimated Net worth is $150 million.

Seen as Nigeria's Richest Pastor he founded Winners Chapel in 1981 and has grown it to become one of Africa’s largest congregation. He holds 3 services every Sunday at the Faith Tabernacle touted to be Africa’s largest worship center.

He owns two private jets (some sources say four) and houses in London and the United States.

He owns Dominion Publishing House, a successful publishing company which publishes all his books. His books, incidentally, are all about prosperity and little or nothing more.

Some years ago he founded Covenant University, taking advantage of the government’s decision to encourage private individuals and organizations to own and run higher institutions of learning. ere Convenant University has become one of the elite private universities in the country. Just recently, in another round of licensing by the government, Pastor Oyedepo got himself another license to run another university.

Bishop Oyedepo also owns Faith Academy, a high school for the upper class.

2. Chris Oyakhilome:


Pastor Chris (as he is popularly called) is the founder and Head pastor of Believer’s Loveworld Ministries (aka Christ Embassy). His estimated net worth is $30 – $50 Million.

Christ Embassy is reportedly consisted of over 40,000 members many of whom are successful businessmen and hippy undergraduates.

Pastor Chris paints a picture of a pastor cum savvy business executive just as Oyedepo and has diversified interests in media, hotels, and real estate. His media empire includes LoveWorld TV network, thee first Christian TV network to broadcast from Nigeria to the rest of the world on a 24 hour basis. He also has interests in printing & publishing and owns an ultra modern printing company in Lagos.

Last year the charismatic and hair styling pastor was involved in a $35 million money laundering case. He was suspected of siphoning church funds but the matter died down and nothing more has been heard of it.

Pastor Chris, of the five richest pastors in our list, is the most media savvy and uses new networking media such as facebook and twitter to great effect.

3. Temitope Joshua:


Pastor T.B. Joshua (as he is known) is the head pastor at Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). He is worth an estimated $10 – $15 Million.

Pastor Joshua is famous as Nigeria’s most philanthropic pastor and also the most controversial. He founded SCOAN in 1987 and unlike other pastors has never opened another branch of his church in Nigeria outside the original one in Lagos which is said to accommodate over 15,000 people.

Among the rich list of Nigerian pastors he is most popular for his healing powers and gets regular miracle seeking visitors from all parts of the country and beyond.

His church has only one branch in Nigeria but currently has branches in Ghana, the UK, South Africa and Greece.

He owns Emmanuel TV, a Christian TV network. Most of his wealth is believed to have come through donations and his relationships with the high and mighty in several parts of Africa. He is, for instance, close to Ghanaian President Atta Mills and has entertained several heads of state in Africa at his Synagogue Church.

4. Matthew Ashimolowo:


Pastor Ashimolowo heads the Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) and has a reported net worth of $6 – $10 Million.

In 1992, Foursquare Gospel Church, in Nigeria, sent Pastor Ashimolowo to open a satellite branch in London. But the Afro style pastor had his own ideas and set up his own church instead.

His church is reportedly the largest Pentecostal church in the united Kingdom. In 2009 the church made close to $10 million in profits and reported assets of $40 million. He is reported to earn $200,000 in annual salary. His real wealth comes from various business interests which includes a media company.

5. Pastor Chris Okotie:


Pastor Chris Okotie is the head of Household of God Church and has a networth of $3 – $10 Million.

Pastor Okotie first made name as a popular pop musician in the 80s. He later set up the Household of God Church, one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant church with over 5,000 members consisting of Nollywood movie actors/actresses, musicians, and society people.

He has run for the presidency in Nigeria three times and lost each time. He received criticisms from several quarters for insisting that God asked him to contest the elections. The last time in April 2011 he contested under the Fresh Party, a political party he founded.

Pastor Chris Okotie is an automobile collector and lover. He drives a Mercedes S600, Porsche, and several other cars.

source: http:///forum/topics/nigeria-s-five-richest-pastors-and-how-they-made-their-wealth

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Hmmm

I Thank God for them.

Yes ooo

The biggest yahoo boys

lecturerdabo: I Thank God for them.

vin4ever: Yes ooo

Since both of you approve of how they earned thier riches. Don't forget to give them 10% of your hard earned money this sunday so that they can add to their riches & you guys will become 10% poorer. Say a mighty AMEN! to that

they are fraudsters stealing from people in the name of tithes, offerings and donations

Good afternoon Vin,

If you have information on how much they were worth before they formed their churches I will be most grateful if you will post the information.


Thanks!

manmustwac:
Since both of you approve of how they earned thier riches. Don't forget to give them 10% of your hard earned money this sunday so that they can add to their riches & you guys will become 10% poorer. Say a mighty AMEN! to that

lol. . Am not even a member in their church. Lols once again

[img]http://3.bp..com/_u3lFqBksmrE/TJp_TOsqk_I/AAAAAAAAhv0/uX_K3NnH72E/s1600/papa.jpg[/img]
hehee, Nairaland, una no go taya to discuss our matter?

[img]http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSc4Hryml7ClyBtX3CyCQ3U2r2PT3yqP5riMyi9CALhlPjliM6z[/img]

striktlymi: Good afternoon Vin,

If you have information on how much they were worth before they formed their churches I will be most grateful if you will post the information.


Thanks!

Am sorry, I dont know.

vin4ever: Am sorry, I dont know.

Okay, cool!

None of these guys was worth anything significant before launching into their various ministries...and please don't tell me that's its God's blessings, except you mean siphoning tithes is part of God blessing them... How can God bless Mat Ashimolowo? Am I the only one who read about how he conned foursquare into establishing his own ministry in the op? Gosh!!! Since the foundation of his ministry is solely on 419, now what do we expect? May God help us all.

how lonnnng will you jobless guys keep talking bout some pastor's wealth and start making your own?

if you claim to know so much about how they made it, why not simply copy them and make yours. Dangotte is the 43rd richest man in the world today but has that helped you in any way, simply face your life and make your doe instead of talking about them why don't you let others talk about you!

church or no church, am getting this money repete

Some people lack job.

If I harvest more yams, He will say "it's because U used fertilizer" Mr, Don't you know where they sell fertilizer?

When a pastor gets rich, he is stealing tithes(Agreed)

When a businessman gets a breakthrough, He is a ritualist(Agreed)

But, if they are poor, They are lazy bones (What a world)
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...........Pls I don't join issues with anyone when it comes to religion! just as you are proud of who you are, I'M PROUDLY A CHRISTIAN(No space for debate in that regard)

lecturerdabo: Some people lack job.

If I harvest more yams, He will say "it's because U used fertilizer" Mr, Don't you know where they sell fertilizer?

When a pastor gets rich, he is stealing tithes(Agreed)

When a businessman gets a breakthrough, He is a ritualist(Agreed)

But, if they are poor, They are lazy bones (What a world)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...........Pls I don't join issues with anyone when it comes to religion! just as you are proud of who you are, I'M PROUDLY A CHRISTIAN(No space for debate in that regard)

I totally agree with you joor.

In a nation that reeks poverty, we have these avaricious charlatans cum demi-god living like kings and half of their congregation struggling to put food on their tables.

edreesabiodun: In a nation that reeks poverty, we have these avaricious charlatans cum demi-god living like kings and half of their congregation struggling to put food on their tables.

did any of their members come to you protesting? or you self-appointed you as their solicitor? or maybe you are too smart to know more than these congregations?

stop making excuses on behalf of others rather face your life and make something tangible out of it.

What about Adeboye?!

I will like to have that information too, please, post the much needed information so that it will strengthen our believe in God & Lord Jesus.

striktlymi: Good afternoon Vin,

If you have information on how much they were worth before they formed their churches I will be most grateful if you will post the information.


Thanks!

Same story una no dey tire

manmustwac:
Since both of you approve of how they earned thier riches. Don't forget to give them 10% of your hard earned money this sunday so that they can add to their riches & you guys will become 10% poorer. Say a mighty AMEN! to that

My brother @manmustwac yhu are not giving it to them,you are giving it to God,as long as God sees ur heart

Oh my God, I just watched one MOG preaching on the telly, intimidating members with the book of Malachi, to pay tithes else they are robbing God. Haba, what is wrong with these pastors? Any way, I blame those ignorant followers who take them serious and donate to their business empires.

WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE.

Richest people in nigeria: https://www.practicalbusinessideas.com/richest-people-in-nigeria/