Top 20 biggest churches in Nigeria and their founders (2022)
Nigeria appears to be one of the world’s most religious countries. The church business is lucrative for some Christian clergymen.
Many churches in Nigeria have become a haven for people seeking refuge for a variety of reasons. There are those who sincerely desire to seek God.
And then, there are those who are just looking for miracles to solve their problems. Either way, the churches are there for them and will do everything necessary to make their members keep coming back.
Read Also:- Top 10 Nigerian Female Celebrities Who Snatched Husband From Other Women (Photo)
For new members, there is something called follow-up. It means that church workers continue to keep in touch with a new member with the aim of ensuring that the person will become a member of the church.
Meanwhile, here are the top 20 biggest churches in Nigeria and their founders:
1. The Catholic Church
The Catholic Church is the oldest and biggest church in Nigeria. The church has branches in almost every city of the country. Its headquarters is in Rome where the Pope, the head of the church, resides.
Augustine Obiora Akubeze, Archbishop of Benin city, is the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
2. The Church of Nigeria, Anglican communion
If there is a church that competes with the Catholic Church in size and numbers, it is the Anglican church.
The Anglican Church Mission Society (CMS), as it was known at the time, was founded by the Church of England and arrived in Nigeria in 1841 as part of the British First Niger Expedition led by Rev. J.F. Schön.
In 1864, Samuel Ajayi Crowther became Nigeria’s first African Anglican bishop. In Nigeria today, the Anglican church has millions of followers.
Anglican, like the Catholic church, has numerous branches throughout the country. The current Primate of the Church of Nigeria is Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh.
Read Also:- Top 10 Nollywood Actresses Who Have Married More Than Once (No 1 Married 5 Husbands)
3. The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG)
When it comes to pentecostal churches, the Redeemed Christian Church of God is arguably Nigeria’s largest. Rev Josiah Akindayomi founded the organization in 1952, and Pastor Enoch Adeboye is the current General Overseer.
The RCCG has the most pentecostal members and one of the highest auditoriums in Nigeria. The crusades are well-known, particularly at the RCCG camp on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The church has a number of branches in Nigeria and elsewhere.
4. Living Faith Church Worldwide
The Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel International, has millions of members worldwide. He is the world’s richest pastor, having been founded in 1983 by the church’s General Overseer, Bishop David Oyedepo.
Canaanland, the church’s headquarters, is located in Ota, Ogun State. Winners, like RCCG, has its own camp in Canaanland on over 10,500 acres of land.
Canaanland auditorium is Nigeria’s second largest church, with a capacity of 50,000 worshipers. The church has several branches in Nigeria and elsewhere.
5. Christ Embassy
Love World is another name for Christ Embassy. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome founded the church in 1990. He is also one of Nigeria’s wealthiest pastors.
The church’s headquarters are in Lagos, and it has a large number of members. Christ Embassy is known for promoting some of Nigeria’s best gospel artists, including Sinach, Frank Edwards, and Eben. The church has several branches in Nigeria and elsewhere.
Read Also:- Top 10 Nigerian Nollywood Actresses Who Gave Birth At A Young Age (Photos)
6. Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministry (MFM)
Dr. Daniel Olukoya founded MFM in 1989. The church has a prayer camp in Ogun State, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, known as “Prayer City,” that can hold over 250,000 worshipers at once.
Members are well-known for their “aggressive” prayers, which typically conclude with “die by fire!” MFM has numerous branches in Nigeria and around the world.
7. The Apostolic Church (TAC)
TAC is one of Nigeria’s oldest churches. Gabriel Olutola founded the church in 1931. The church has millions of members and is constantly expanding.
TAC has a camp in Ketu, Lagos State, which reportedly took 25 years to complete. Over 100,000 worshippers can be accommodated in the camp auditorium. TAC also has branches in Nigeria and around the world.
8. Deeper Life Bible Church
Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi founded the Deeper Life Bible Church in 1973. The church has thousands of members spread across the country.
Members are known for leading conservative lives. The church camp can accommodate over 30,000 worshippers and is located in Gbagada, Lagos State. There is enough parking for over 200 cars.
Read Also:- Top 10 Yoruba Actors And Actresses most people think are from Yoruba speaking states (Photo)
9. Dunamis church
The Dunamis Church was founded by Dr. Paul Idoko Enenche and his wife Dr. Becky Enenche. The church has large members all over Nigeria. Dunamis church has the biggest church in Nigeria with a 100,000 capacity. It is called Glory Dome.
10. Synagogue Church of all Nations
The Synagogue Church of all Nations was founded by Prophet T.B. Joshua who was the General Overseer until his demise in 2020. He was also the owner of Emmanuel TV and one of the most popular pastors in the world.
The church, which is located in Ikotun, Lagos State, is popular for its many miracles and healing.
11. Daystar Christian Centre
Pastor Samuel Adeyemi founded the Daystar Christian Centre in 1995. The church is not just a church for worshippers but also a centre for bringing up leaders in Christ.
The pastor also engages in motivational speaking on television. Daystar is one of the fastest-growing new-generation churches in Nigeria.
Read Also:- Top 10 Nigerian celebrities who give Birth to Twins (Photos)
12. Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA)
The Commonwealth of Zion Assembly popularly known as COZA is a new-generation church that was founded by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo in 1999.
The church has branches in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Ilorin. It is also a favourite of the youths who make up most of the population of the church.
13. Fountain of Life Church
The Fountain of Life Church was founded by Pastor Taiwo Odukoya and his late wife Pastor Mrs. Bimbo Odukoya in 1994. The church is popularly known for focusing on the single and married.
14. Cherubim and Seraphim
When we think of white garment churches, we often think of the Cherubim and Seraphim. Founded in 1925 by Moses Orimolade Tuno, the church is one of the oldest churches in Nigeria.
With estimated worshippers of 5 million worldwide, Cherubim and Seraphim now have other churches that broke away from it.
Read Also:- Top 10 Richest Men in Africa and Their Net Worth 2022
15. The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC)
CAC is known to be the first Aladura Pentecostal Church in Nigeria. It was founded in 1941 by Joseph Ayo Babalola. Pastor A.O. Akinosun is the current General Overseer. However, there are many factions with many leaders of the church.
16. Methodist Church of Nigeria
The Methodist Church is one of the oldest churches in Nigeria. Founded by British missionaries in 1842, the church has developed from just a Wesleyan Methodist to one of the largest churches in Nigeria. Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche is the current Prelate of the Methodist Church, in Nigeria.
17. Salvation Ministries
The Salvation Ministries was founded by David Ibiyeomie in 1997. He is also the General Overseer of the church. The church headquarters is located in Port Harcourt and also has a television ministry that began in 2001. Word Of Life Bible Institute is the training college established by the church.
Read Also>- Top 10 Richest Men In The World and Their Net Worth (2022)
18. The Lord’s Chosen
Founded by Lazarus Muoka in 2002, the Lord’s Chosen broke away from the Catholic church and was established with just a few people. Today, the church has thousands of worshippers with many branches all over the country.
19. Celestial Church of Christ (CCC)
This is another popular white garment church in Nigeria. Founded in Port-Novo, Benin Republic in 1947 by Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa, the church spread through French West Africa and came to Nigeria.
Today, it is one of the biggest churches in Nigeria. Reverend Olatoso Matthew Oshoffa, the 20th child of the late founder, is the new General Overseer amid a leadership tussle in the church.
Read Also:- Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World and Their Net Worth 2022 (Photos)
20. Nigerian Baptist Convention
This is the second-largest Baptist convention that is affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance. It was founded in 1850 by the Southern Baptist Convent missionaries. Today, it is one of the biggest churches in Nigeria.
