Nigeria's pastors run multi-million dollar businesses which rival that of oil tycoons, a Nigerian blogger who has researched the issue has told the BBC.

Mfonobong Nsehe, who blogs for Forbes business magazine, says pastors own businesses from hotels to fast-food chains.

"Preaching is big business. It's almost as profitable as the oil business," he said.

The joint wealth of five pastors was at least $200m (£121m), he said.

Mr Nsehe said the richest of them, Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith World Outreach Ministry, was worth about $150m.

Bishop Oyedepo owned a publishing company, university, an elite private school, four jets and homes in London and the United States, according to Mr Nsehe.

The Nigerian blogger said Bishop Oyedepo was followed on the rich list by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Believers' Loveworld Ministries. He was worth between $30 and $50m.

"Oyakhilome's diversified interests include newspapers, magazines, a local television station, a record label, satellite TV, hotels and extensive real estate," Mr Nsehe said.

He said three of the other richest pastors were:

[b]>[/b]Temitope Joshua Matthew of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (worth between $10m and $15m);
[b]>[/b]Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Centre (worth between $6 million and $10 million) and
[b]>[/b]Chris Okotie of the Household of God Church (worth between $3 million and $10 million)

Mr Nsehe said representatives of all the clergymen, except Pastor Ashimolowo, confirmed ownership of the assets he had listed on his blog.

"These pastors are flamboyant. You see them with private jets and expensive cars. This extravagance sends out the wrong message to their followers," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.

He said the pastors acquired their wealth from various sources, including their congregations.

"We have Nigerians who are desperate, looking for solutions to their problems. They go to church for salvation, redemption and healing and pastors sometimes take advantage of them," Mr Nsehe said.

Source

They are the anointed ones to keep God's money for "personal godlike" use.

Na waoo. Church is big business in Nigeria.

touch not my b.loody annointed, right.
una get ear so.

Religion should be re-classified as a commercial activity,

There is nothing religous about religion especially in Nigeria.

Sun of god:

Religion should be re-classified as a commercial activity,

There is nothing religous about religion especially in Nigeria.

Seconded!

Sun of god:

Religion should be re-classified as a commercial activity,

There is nothing religous about religion especially in Nigeria.

+10000000000000000000000000000000!

i promise not to write on nairaland. but i want to make a comment on this issue.

I think all these uncomplementary remarks about Pastors in Nigeria has got to stop. Please leave them to fulfill their ministry and let God be the Judge.

@all
U guys should stop talking bou this pastors and their wealth, leave them for God to judge! All ur posts and rants would change nothing i repeat nothing!

akinnux:

I think all these uncomplementary remarks about Pastors in Nigeria has got to stop. Please leave them to fulfill their ministry and let God be the Judge.

@akinnux, my exact thot!!!

Religion is the opium of the people, chikenaa

Hi people, i just finished my WACE, i had 12 "As" but the problem is im willing to go to any university to study commercial gospel pastor but so far no university seems to be offering my course, any advise will be helpful

If only these pastors can re-invent all this wealth/money into local/poor community, i dont think there would be so much noise over their wealth.

How much is profit on a gallon of oil? How many people pay tithe per week? How many gallons of oil does the average oil baron sell in a week? Compare this to Tithe times hundreds of thousand church goers a week. I think these pastors arent really tapping their potentials. They can be richest men in the world if they up thier game (sermons) alot more.

akinnux:

I think all these uncomplementary remarks about Pastors in Nigeria has got to stop. Please leave them to fulfill their ministry and let God be the Judge.

pepperoni:

@all
U guys should stop talking bou this pastors and their wealth, leave them for God to judge! All your posts and rants would change nothing i repeat nothing!

I see. . .in that case why should anyone complain about politicians? Why should anyone complain about other criminals? We should also leave them for God to judge.

@all
U guys should stop talking bout this pastors and their wealth, leave them for God to judge! All your posts and rants would change nothing i repeat nothing!

Thank you,

I believe they are far richer, owning four private jets alone is like $150m for Oyedepo. Pastor Chris is also way ahead. That guy should conduct a better research. I am sure by now the pastors mentioned will be laughing at how misinformed the author is.

Obiagu1:
"These pastors are flamboyant. You see them with private jets and expensive cars. This extravagance sends out the wrong message to their followers,"

Well; maybe, but not T.B Joshua.

op
it is d hand work of GOD.

Builder:

Hi people, i just finished my WACE, i had 12 "As" but the problem is im willing to go to any university to study commercial gospel pastor but so far no university seems to be offering my course,  any advise will be helpful

you dont need to go any university, just walk into any of these Pentecostal seminaries, you will be tought the art and science of commercial gospel,
sekenah

Most of these pastors are not what they claimed to be, what are they doing with body guards or security men as escort, the bible verse that says (The lord is my light and my salvation of whom should i fear), is no more there portion, EKO NI EVERYBODY TI MA GBON, meaning on getting to Lagos everybody will be wise

Most of these pastors are not what they claimed to be, what are they doing with body guards or security men as escort, the bible verse that says (The lord is my light and my salvation of whom should i fear), is no more there portion, EKO NI EVERYBODY TI MA GBON, meaning on getting to Lagos everybody will be wise

E be like sey u knw knw d country u live in, Even if jesus come nigeria today, he go use body guard,

nogames:

Most of these pastors are not what they claimed to be, what are they doing with body guards or security men as escort, the bible verse that says (The lord is my light and my salvation of whom should i fear), is no more there portion, EKO NI EVERYBODY TI MA GBON, meaning on getting to Lagos everybody will be wise

They dont want to get kidnapped hence their reason of hiring private bodyguards and the police.Remember my brother heaven help those who help themselves o.

tellwisdom:

E be like sey u knw knw d country u live in, Even if jesus come nigeria today, he go use body guard,

lwkmd.

nogames:
EKO NI EVERYBODY TI MA GBON, meaning on getting to Lagos everybody will be wise

as efrybodi don reach Lagos stil dem nor wise, wetin we go con do.

Quote from: Sun of god on Yesterday at 07:25:50 PM
Religion should be re-classified as a commercial activity,

There is nothing religous about religion especially in Nigeria.


Seconded!



Thirded!!!! .

Churches should be taxed i.e 25% of the takens should be taxed.

U can imagine when a church rakes in as much as N10m every sunday in a church where some members can not afford 3 square meal.

Members of churches can not afford to send their children to a school buillt with congregation money.

I call it Church-Roberry.

And suddenly, people are begining to envy pastorsx. Before now, it was not like that. Attention has shifgted from unbelievers to believers. It means there is hope for this country. No wonder most of the political office holders today ran to their spiritual heads for support. To a large extent, the church has taken over in all ramification and its a good sign for advancement. Those who criticise are only envious becasue they lack the wisdom to attain such feats. However, i am not unaware that there are ffalse prophets, but be careful who you criticise cos the you might just be bringing yourselff and your entire family under prophetic curse.

what a joke

I heard that in America the founder of a church does not have control over the offering money. that its managed by church board of directors. How true?

[color=#990000][/color]
Its amazing that the congregation do not know the difference btw the work of "God" and adulation of these super rich pastors.

Why should any pastor own a jet in a country where most citizens live on less than $2 per day!!

And please don't gove me the crap about God's blessings!!, even Jesus was not a rich man. He came as a CARPENTER'S son!!

Let's avert God's wrath by these men of God we judge. They need not hear u before God strikes on their behalf, be wise!!!!!