Full List of Churches in Nigeria & Founders
Christianity is one of the major religions in Nigeria and accounts for 48% of the general populace. As of today, Nigeria is most religious country in Africa and 2nd in the world.
List of Nigerian Churches And Their Founders
There are different church denominations in the country whose worship system differs from others. The similarity that exist between these Nigerian churches is that they claim to preach the Gospel and believe in Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity in the world.
Before the arrival of Pentecostal churches in the country, the first church in Nigeria was the cathedral church of St. Peters, Ake Abeokuta and it was an Anglican church. After this came the Roman Catholic church before other new generation churches sprang up.
In this post we list all churches in Nigeria and their founders, year of establishment and the current general overseer of these churches.
CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Catholic Church is the richest church in the country with the highest number in terms of congregation. Founded by Christ himself, its headquarters is in Rome.
The Catholic church is currently headed by the Pope (Francis) who doubles as the Bishop of Rome and the head of the Vatican. This church has branches in every country of the world, state, towns and villages in Nigeria.
ANGLICAN CHURCH OF NIGERIA
Also called the Anglican communion, this church traces its origin to the Church of England. Founded in 1842 by Henry Townsend during the colonial times, the number of those attending this church is on the increase.
In terms of population, there are about 18 million baptized Anglican church members in the country and they are divided into dioceses and parishes headed by Archbishops, Bishops, Venerable, etc.
As at today, there are 14 provinces in the Anglican church of Nigeria with its administrative headquarters, located in Abuja and headed by a Primate, Nicholas Okoh.
REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD (RCCG)
RCCG was established by Rev. Josiah Akindayomi in 1952 before the emergence of its current general overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, one of Nigeria’s most respected man of God.
As of today, in terms of congregation, the Redeemed Christian Church of God is the most populated pentecostal church in Nigeria and has the largest auditorium which is said to contain more than half of all its members. You can find about 5 Redeem churches in every street in Lagos state.
LIVING FAITH CHURCH WORLDWIDE
Also called Winners Chapel by some of its members, Living Faith Church Worldwide was established in 1981 by Bishop David Oyedepo who is Forbes richest pastor in the world and its General Overseer.
This Pentecostal church is also among the popular churches in the country today and has a membership base of up to 1 million. The church’s auditorium is among the largest able to hold up to 300,000 persons during vigils or even prayer crusades.
CHRIST EMBASSY
Also on the list is Christ Embassy established by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome in 1990. He is also the General Overseer and senior pastor of his congregation.
Christ Embassy has many branches around the country with its headquarters in Lagos. Pastor Chris is one of the most influential preachers of his generation and has written many spiritual books to his credit.
MOUNTAIN OF FIRE AND MIRACLE MINISTRY
This Pentecostal church is also known as MFM, was founded in 1989 by Dr. Daniel Olukoya has been dully registered in the Christian Association of Nigeria.
This church is known for their fire brand prayer services and has a big church auditorium that can carry a capacity of about 400,000 persons during their crusades.
THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH
Another registered church worthy of mention is the Apostolic church. Its founder Gabriel Olutola was a known man of God in his time.
Established in 1931, this is one of the oldest churches in Nigeria with many branches across the country and they can be found in various states.
DEEPER LIFE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
Deeper life church was founded in 1982 by Dr. William. F. Kumuyi. The ministry started with 15 persons and now has over 900,000 members in attendance.
This is one of the best churches in the country who are known for their strict adherence to the bible teachings and dress code.
COMMONWEALTH OF ZION ASSEMBLY
Popularly known as COZA, this registered church is famous among the youths. COZA ministry was founded by Reverend Biodun Fatoyinbo in 1999 and has a wide outreach in the country.
DAYSTAR CHRISTIAN CENTER
This church is owned by a motivational speaker, Pastor Samuel Adeyemi. Over the years, the goal of this religious institution is to raise leaders for Christ who will take charge in preaching the Gospel of the Lord with boldness and power.
SYNAGOGUE CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS
This Christian organization was established by the late Prophet T.B Joshua, one of the most powerful prophets in Nigeria that predicts the future. He was also its general overseer and is known for performing miracles.
The headquarters of his ministry is at Ikotun in Lagos state. It is said that SCOAN receives more than 15,000 people at the church’s premises for Sunday services alone, due to the fact that people from all walks of life wanting to see the man of God for miracles and healing.
FOUNTAIN OF LIFE CHURCH
This church was formerly among the popular churches in the country and was famous among the youths who were single.
It was founded by Late Dr. Bimbo Odukoya. While she was alive, she anchored a television program titled “Single & Married”
CHERUBIM AND SERAPHIM (C&S)
Also called C&S, it was founded by Prophet Moses Orimolade Tuno in 1925. C&S has a large follower-ship in Nigeria.
It is among the oldest churches in the country that gave birth to other types of white garment churches in Nigeria.
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH (CAC)
Also among the biggest churches in Nigeria is Christ Apostolic Church which was established in 1941 by its founder Joseph Ayo Babalola. Today, the current G.O is Pastor A.O Akinosun.
It is also known as a white garment church or and the first Aladura Church in the country that has branches all over the world with various factions present in the organization.
METHODIST CHURCH OF NIGERIA
Methodist church is also one of the major churches in Nigeria was brought into the country by the British missionaries in 1842 but traces its origin to Wesley, its founder.
The current head of the Methodist church in Nigeria is Prelate Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche Kanu and they have many branches in various states of the country.
SALVATION MINISTRIES
Salvation ministries is a very popular Nigerian church. Established in 1997 by David Ibiyeomie who is also its current general overseer, their headquarters is located at Port Harcourt.
They have a Bible Institute where those who wish to enter into Christian religious life can enroll and become trained pastors in their various churches.
THE LORD’S CHOSEN CHRISTIAN CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT
This is one of the new generational churches in Nigeria that broke away from the Catholic Church and has its headquarters in Lagos.
It was founded by Pastor Lazarus Muoka in 2002 and currently has a large population of break-away Catholics especially from the south-west and south-eastern region of the country.
CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST
This is another major white garment church in Nigeria which was established by Samuel Bilehou in 1947. He is also the church’s general overseer.
NIGERIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION
This is also another ancient church you can find in Nigeria and traces its history to the time of the colonial masters. This Christian religious institution was founded by Baptist missionaries.
We can’t say if they are among the largest church in Nigeria but they have a large congregation, especially in the south-west. Baptist Church headquarters is located in Ibadan.
ROYAL HOUSE OF GRACE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH
This is another major church in Nigeria established by Apostle Zilly Aggrey in 1992. The current G.O is David Zilly Aggrey and its headquarters is situated in Port Harcourt.
These are all the registered churches we have in Nigeria that are popular in the country today.
LIST OF PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES AND THEIR FOUNDERS
| CHURCH NAME | FOUNDER | CURRENT SENIOR PASTOR/GENERAL OVERSEER | DATE ESTABLISHED | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redeemed Christian Church of God | Rev Josiah Akindayomi | Pastor Enoch Adeboye | 1952 | Lagos State | |
| Living Faith Church Worldwide | David Oyedepo | David Oyedepo | 1981 | Ota, Ogun | |
| Christ Apostolic Church | Joseph Ayo Babalola | Pastor S.O. Ogundare [4] | 1931 | ||
| Church of Nigeria | Henry Townsend | Nicholas Okoh | 1842 | Badagry | |
| The African Church | Jacob Kehinde Coker | Emmanuel Josiah Udofia | 1901 | Lagos | |
| Christ Embassy | Chris Oyakhilome | Chris Oyakhilome | 1990 | Lagos State | |
| Deeper Christian Life Ministry | William Kumuyi | William F. Kumuyi | 1982 | Lagos State | |
| Cherubim and Seraphim | Moses Orimolade Tunolase | 1925 | |||
| Mountain of Fire and Miracles | Dr. Daniel Olukoya | 1989 | Yaba | ||
| The Apostolic Church Nigeria | Emmanuel Segun Awojide | 1918 | Lagos State | ||
| The Lord’s Chosen | Lazarus Muoka | Lazarus Muoka | 2002 | Mushin | |
| Roman Catholic Church | Jesus Christ | Ignatius Ayau Kaigama | |||
| Church of the Lord | Josiah Ollunowo Ositelu | 1925 | Ogere | ||
| Celestial Church of Christ | Samuel Biléhou Joseph Oshoffa | 1947 | Cotonou | ||
| Methodist Church Nigeria | British missionaries | Prelate Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche, JP | 1842 | Marina/Lagos State | |
| Nigerian Baptist Convention | Southern Baptist Convention missionaries | Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle | 1850/1914 | ||
| Salvation Ministries | Pastor David Ibiyeomie | David Ibiyeomie | 1997 | Port-Harcourt | |
| Full Life Christian Centre | Rev. Ntia I. Ntia | Rev. Ntia I. Ntia | 2000 | Akwa Ibom State | |
| Royal House of Grace International Church | Apostle Zilly Aggrey | King-David Zilly Aggrey | 1992 | Port-Harcourt | |
| Word of Life Bible Church | Ayo Oritsejafor | Ayo Oritsejafor | 1987 | Warri | |
| Assemblies of God Church | Rev. Chidi Okoroafor | 1934 | Enugu | ||
| Evangelical Church Winning All | Walter Gowans, Thomas Kent, Rowland Bingham | Rev. Dr. Stephen Panya Baba | 1954 | Jos | |
| The Salvation Army | William Booth | Colonel Victor Leslie | 1920 | Lagos |
