Many of you have wondered how pastors make their money in Africa, how they amass such fortunes and some have attributed it to Tithe and offerings… But the truth remains, pastors are among the top Naira earners in Nigeria besides politicians, artists, and businessmen.
We’ve compiled the list of the richest Pastors in Africa as at December 2019. You’ll find the list interesting.
8. PAPA AYO ORITSEJAFOR
[Net worth: $3m – ₦1.1b]
He is the founder of the Word of Life Bible Church and also the creator of the African Broadcasting Network that broadcasts the gospel from the United Kingdom to the world. He is the former president of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
He owns ₦1.1b net worth, real estate, a $3.5 million Bombardier Challenger 601 private jet, and a fleet of luxurious cars including a limousine. He has a private jet and investments in real estate, media, and banking.
7. PASTOR GBENGA OSO
[Net worth: $3.5m -₦1.3b]
He is the Founder of Laughter Foundation Church, and he’s probably best known for performing miracles for the “fruit of the womb”.
He virtually made his money from praying for women with problems conceiving while encouraging them to be supportive of the gospel ministry.
6. PASTOR CHRIS OKOTIE
[Net worth: $12m ~ ₦4.3b]
None on my list had tasted stardom before becoming popular clergymen except Okotie. He was a popular pop musician in the 1980s, amassing quite a considerable stash of wealth for himself.
Chris Okotie is a lover of automobiles. His garage is littered with all kinds of luxurious cars that money can buy. His cars include Hummers, Range Rover limousine, Range Rover sports, BMW X Series, Mercedes Benz and the N80 million Rolls Royce Phantom he gifted as birthday gift.
5. PASTOR MATTHEW ASHIMOLOWO
[Net worth: $20m ~ ₦7.2b]
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo is the Lead Pastor of the Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC). He is anything but poor, his celebrity lifestyle is enviable, but on most occasions a source of controversy.
After, converting from Islam to Christianity at the age of 20, he rose to prominence at the Kingsway International Christian Center and enjoys a juicy pay package.
25 years after he launch the church, he now has £16.4m (N7.26 billion) in assets, and rakes in more than £8m (N3.5 billion) in revenue a year.
In Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo’s fleet includes a private jet , there are Porsche Cayeen, Range Rover Vogue Sport, a bulletproof Hummer Jeep, and many other exotic cars.
4. PASTOR BABATUNDE TEMITOPE JOSHUA [Net worth: $25m ~ ₦9b]
Prophet Temitope Babatunde Joshua fondly referred to by his initials as ‘T.B Joshua’ is a world-renowned televangelist. He is the Leader and founder of The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. He is also everything in-between controversial prophet to a philanthropic giver. T.B. Joshua was named one of the 50 most influential people in Africa by The Africa Report.
Ad revenues from YouTube, private TV channel as well as donation from his followers earn him a net worth of ₦9 billion. He owns a $60 million private jet and a fleet of luxurious cars including Range Rovers and Mercedes-Benzes.
3. PASTOR ENOCH ADEJARE ADEBOYE
[Net worth: $39m ~ ₦14.1b]
Daddy GO as he is fondly called occupies the third position on the rich list. Unlike everyone else in this list, Adeboye rose to stardom in a ministry he didn’t build from scratch. He assumed the office of a General Overseer in 1981 and grew the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) into a large congregation worldwide.
Despite the popularity of his network of churches, pastor Enoch is criticized for failed prophecies. He also sparked off great controversies when advising his adepts against marrying women who are not from the church and who can’t cook!
Pastor Enoch Adeboye is the proud owner of a $65 million G550 luxury jet. He drives a bulletproof Rolls-Royce Phantom ($400,000), Land Rover Discovery ($80,000) and a Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen ($100,000).
2. PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME
[Net worth: $50m ~ ₦18b]
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, popularly known as “Pastor Chris” is the founder and president of Believers’ Love World Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome owns a private jet, widespread real estate accross Nigeria and about 30 SUVs which includes a powerful Range Rover.
1. BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO
[Net worth: $150m -₦54b]
David .O. Oyedepo who was born on September 27, 1954, is a Nigerian pastor, author, business mogul, architect and founder of the megachurch, Faith Tabernacle, also known as Winners Chapel located in Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Talking about his wealth, David Oyedepo disclosed that God swore to make him rich because he had donated a car for the propagation of the gospel:
“I gave my car to God not to be rich but to spread the gospel and God swore to make me rich.
“Now in one day we bought 87 buses at once, another day we bought 100 buses at once, we now buy buses like loaves of bread. Many of you will soon be building houses like loaves of bread.”
Owning ₦54b net worth, David Oyedepo is the official richest pastor in Nigeria. He recently acquired a Gulfstream V jet valued at US$30m. He now has a personal collection of 4 aircraft which includes a Bombardier Challenger Aircraft and two Gulfstream planes.
He has a degree in architecture from the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. Oyedepo also has a PhD in Human Development from Honolulu University, Hawaii, United States.