5 Nigerian Pastors Who are Serial Entrepreneurs

The idea that being a pastor means you have to be impoverished is long gone. Nowadays, many clergies also double as serial entrepreneurs. The display of entrepreneurial skills by some of these Nigerian pastors has disrupted this mindset.

Even though some have been chastised for their wealth, these individuals continue to find new income streams and make more money.

Though there is controversy over whether a pastor should operate a multi-million company or not, a more reality is being made: clergies are brilliant business people, investing, driving industries, and establishing empires.

Here are some well-known Nigerian pastors who are also Serial Entrepreneurs.

David Oyedopo

David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith tabernacle ministry, Winners Chapel, is one of Nigeria’s wealthiest clergies. Beyond being a sound preacher, he is a successful businessman. 

Under the banner of his church, Oyedepo has established many multi-million dollar businesses in various sectors.

In 1999, he founded the Faith Academy and Covenant University (CU), one of Nigeria’s most prestigious and costly private education institutions. In 2003, Oyedepo also established Kingdom Heritage Model School.

As a renowned author, he has penned and published more than 70 books in addition to journals. He also established Dominion Publishing Firm (DPH), a publishing house that has released millions of prints.

Oyedepo is worth over $150 million, with holdings in London and the United States. He also owns four private jets for commercial use. The jets cost $10,000 per hour.

Chris Oyakhilome

He’s the founder of Christ Embassy, an international megachurch headquartered in Lagos. Oyakhilome owns a publishing company, multiple broadcast stations, and a digital library, among others.

As an author, Chris Oyakhilome has sold millions of his books in Nigeria and overseas, especially ‘Rhapsody of Realities,’ which is in hundreds of languages. He also owns “The Angel Top Quotes,” a smartphone chat app.

Oyakhilome’s broadcast stations include LoveWorldSAT, LoveWorldTV, LoveWorld PLUS, LoveWorld USA, and LoveWorld Canada.

The pastor also owns a record company, Believer’s Loveworld music, which has produced some famous Nigerian musicians. The multi-talented preacher and serial entrepreneur is estimated to be worth over $126 million.

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Sam Adeyemi

Sam Adeyemi is a seasoned preacher and business leader. He founded one of Nigeria’s favourite churches, Daystar Christian Centre. The church is best known for its leadership training which business executives in corporate Nigeria recognise.

He established the Daystar Leadership Academy in 2002 as a non-profit Leadership and Management Development School. Adeyemi is a member of the prominent Global Leadership Summit faculty.

Through his business coaching, he has mentored and coached several business titans. He has held conferences in the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Nigeria.

His church owns a primary and secondary school and several pieces of real estate across Nigeria.

Sam Adeyemi spoke at the Worldwide Leadership Summit in 2015 and 2017, a global conference attended by over 40,000 leaders from over 130 nations.

In 2020, he became a member of the Forbes council as a principal consultant.

Matthew Ashimolowo

Matthew Ashimolowo is the founder of Kingsway International Christian Center (KICC), a Pentecostal church. In 2009, the church reportedly made about $10 million in revenues and had assets worth $40 million.

Apart from receiving a $200,000 annual salary, he also has other sources of income, such as his media firm, Matthew Ashimolowo media, which produces Christian books and films. Also, the KICC TV, which is UK’s first church-owned television station, with over 140 million people in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Enoch Adeboye

Enoch Adejare Adeboye is one of the world’s most influential and well-respected preachers and the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

He founded Christ the Redeemers Ministry (CRM) and the Redeemers University in 2005.

Adeboye owns high-end property in key places, including the United Kingdom. He owns Rolls Royce Phantoms, Land Rover Discovery, Mercedes Benz Gelandewagen, and a $65 million G550 private plane.

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