Good Churches In Nigeria, Founders And Their Universities, Websites & Brief History
Christianity in Nigeria can be traced as far back as the 16th century with the coming of external influence as a result of colonialism. The religion has since then grown and has been widely accepted all around Nigeria with Christianity being one of the major religions in the country.
Presently, Christian worship falls into the category of the Roman Catholics and the Protestants. This division came about as a result of the protestant reform movement which was finally achieved by Martin Luther. This is not to say that these two categories practice different religions, they share the same belief with just a few variations. They are all collectively referred to as Christians under the body of Christ.
Nigeria has a good number of churches which have strong presences within and out of the country. Many of these churches are well known to be solidly built on the basis of the word of God and have quite a number of members.
Churches In Nigeria With The Highest Population
In no particular order these are some Churches which are believed to have the highest populations in Nigeria
The Anglican Church/Church of Nigeria
It is credited to be one of the oldest churches in Nigeria. This church is believed to have a population which runs into millions. The Anglican Church reportedly has about 18million members.
The Catholic Church
This is perhaps one of the most highly populated churches in Nigeria. The Catholic Church is well known for its high population. A large number of Christians in various parts of Nigeria belong to the Catholic Church. It is said to have well over 50million members and this population has continued to grow over the years.
It is common knowledge that the Catholic Church is full of several wealthy and influential individuals who are always willing to give and cater to the needs of the church even before such needs arise. This is perhaps why it is also termed as one of the richest churches.
The Redeem Christian Church Of God (RCCG)
A church is presently led by Pastor Enoch Adeboye and was set up in Lagos in 1952 by Rev Josiah Akindayomi. It has branches and members all over Nigeria with its head quarters located in Lagos. It is said to have about 50million members on the average. It holds services within the week and multiple services on Sundays. It is credited to be one of the top richest ministries in Nigeria.
Living Faith Church (Winners)
The Living Faith Church is headed by Bishop David Oyedepo and was set up in 1983. Its headquarters is called Canaanland located at Idiroko road in Ota, Ogun State. It has churches in all the states of Nigeria and in 65 countries in the world. It has about 6million members altogether and still counting. It is also one of Nigeria’s richest churches.
Mountain Of Fire And Miracles Ministries (MFM)
This is yet another mega church in Nigeria whose headquarters is also in Lagos Nigeria. The ministry is famous for its skillfulness in the act of spiritual warfare prayers and deliverance. Mountain of Fire is overseen by Pastor Daniel Olukoya. It is known to have branches in states and local governments all across Nigeria and also in several countries outside of Nigeria. It has a population which runs into millions.
Deeper Christian Life Ministry
A church which has been in existence for about 46 years; it is headed by Pastor William F. Kumuyi. It has greatly moved past its 15 people worshippers which it had, when it first kicked off. Located in the states and local government areas of Nigeria and also in several countries within and beyond the African continent, its population is now estimated to be over 65000.
Christ Embassy
Christ Embassy which is also known as the believers love world is headed by Pastor Chris Oyakilome. It was founded in 1987 and has its headquarters located in Lagos Nigeria. It has a total estimated congregation of about 400,000 people. Its branches and members are found in countries all over the world and every state within Nigeria.
Salvation Ministry
It was established by Pastor David Ibiyeomie in 1997 it has its headquarters located in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. It reportedly has branches in the states in Nigeria and in about 30 locations worldwide. It has a congregation of about 50,000 members per service at the headquarters alone.
Christ Apostolic Church
This church was founded by a man highly respected in the Nigerian Pentecostal ministry Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola in 1941. This church is mostly popular amongst the people of the South-West. Its population mostly comprise of the Yoruba. An exact figure is not known but its population is estimated to run into thousands of members.
Dunamis International Gospel Center
Dunamis was founded in 1996 by Pastor Paul Enenche, its headquarters is situated at Abuja; and has the capacity to seat about 100,000 people. It holds about six services in its headquarters every Sunday and about two services every Wednesday.
The Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement
It is believed to have about 300,000 branches in Nigeria and various countries of the world. The Church was founded in 2002 and is currently led by Pastor Lazarus Muoka with its head quarters situated at Lagos. Its headquarters reportedly has the capacity to seat about 30,000 people per service.
Churches In Nigeria And Their Websites
The following are the official websites of some Nigerian churches
- Living Faith Church – faithtabernacle.org.ng
- Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries – mfmtevenage.org / www.mountainoffire.org.uk
- The Redeem Christian Church of God – rccg.org
- Christ Apostolic Church – cacworldwideonline.org
- Deeper Christian Life Ministry – dclm.org
- Church of God Mission International – cgmglobal.org
- The Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement – tlccrm.org
- Salvation Ministry – smhos.org
- Christ Embassy – christembassy.org
- Dunamis International Gospel Center – dunamisgospel.org
- The Fountain Life Church – tfolc.org
- House on the Rock – houseontherock.org.ng
- Dream Center of the Life of Oasis Int’l Church – lifeoasisinternationalchurch.org
- Synagogue Church of All Nations – scoan.org
- Covenant Christian Center – insightsforliving.org
- Common Wealth of Zion Assembly – coza.org.ng
- Shelter of glory – shelterofglory.org
- House Hold of God – householdofgodchurch.org
Churches In Nigeria And Their Universities
Several churches in Nigeria are also known to own quality schools and universities some even own more than one. New educational structures owned by churches keep springing up each year. Here are some churches in Nigeria and their Universities.
Living Faith Church:
It presently runs two Universities Covenant University in Ogun State and Landmark University in Kwara State; it has future plans of owning more all across Africa. The church also has nursery/primary schools called Kingdom Heritage Academy in all capital locations and also secondary schools known as Faith Academy. These institutions all deliver quality education.
Christ Apostolic Church
It owns a university in Osun State named after its founder called Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), it started in 2004. It also has several primary and secondary schools all across the country.
Redeem Christian Church of God
The Redeemers University is owned and run by the Redeem Christian Church. The institution is located in Ede, Osun State. It was set up in 2005.
Mountain Of Fire And Miracles Ministries
It owns Mountain Top University and it is a private institution located at Makogi Oba in Ogun State. The university was established in 2015.
Church Of God Mission International
This ministry owns Benson Idahosa University. It is located in Benin City; it was established in 1998 and was granted its license in 2002. The school was the brainchild of Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa it was formerly called Christian Faith University.
The 7th Day Adventist Church
This church is said to own and manage two universities known as Babcock University and Clifford University. Babcock University is situated in Ilishan-remo in Ogun State and is said to have been established in 1959 while Clifford University was founded in 2013 and is located in Abia State. This Church is also credited to have one of the biggest Christian educational set-ups.
Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA)
It runs a University called the Bingham University which was established in 2005 at Karu in Nassarawa State.
Deeper Christian Life Ministry
It privately owns and manages the Anchor University situated at Ipaja, Lagos State. The school was founded in 2014.
Nigerian Baptist Convention
Bowen University is a private institution owned by the Nigerian Baptist Convention under which the Baptist Church falls. It was established in the year 2001 and is situated in Osun State.
The Biggest Church Auditoriums In Nigeria
The Living Faith Church
It was formerly credited to have the largest auditorium in the world known as the Faith Tabernacle. It has the capacity to seat about 300,000 people altogether, about 50,000 people inside and an estimated 250,000 people outside. The ministry has future plans of building a 100,000 capacity auditorium.
Dunamis International Gospel Center
The auditorium is known as the glory dome and is located at its headquarters in Abuja. It has a 100,000 seating capacity which was recently dedicated.
Mountain Of Fire And Miracles Ministries
The Auditorium of this church is situated at its headquarters. It is said to seat about 500,000 people within the building and about 250,000 outside.
The Redeem Christian Church Of God
Located at the headquarters in Lagos; It has an auditorium that reportedly has the capacity to seat over a million people.
