List of Top 10 Biggest Churches in Nigeria Today (2024)

Last updated on August 3rd, 2023 at 08:37 pm

Almost all churches in Nigeria claim to be the largest with the highest congregation. Some of their members would also boast that their church has the largest auditorium and is the biggest in Nigeria. Well, I won’t be surprised as these so called Nigerian churches of today focus more on money, population and popularity rather than the true Christian religion which is to win souls for Christ Jesus.

With different big church denominations in Nigeria springing up, fake pastors are also on the increase using sweet bible verses to lure members to vomit money all in the name of God. These so called men of God end up being among the richest pastors in the world. Well, this post will not focus on these fake pastors in Nigeria but on the biggest churches in Nigeria with the largest congregation, auditorium and popularity.

TOP 10 BIGGEST CHURCHES IN NIGERIA (2024)

For the records, the biggest church in the world with the largest congregation or population is the Roman Catholic Church which is headed by the Pope at the Vatican city. Below is the list of top 10 popular and biggest churches in Nigeria today.

1. THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD (RCCG)

This is the most populated Pentecostal church in Nigeria with the highest membership of more than 2 million persons. The Redeemed church of God also has the largest auditorium that can accommodate its members especially during their crusade along Lagos Ibadan Expressway. The current General Overseer of RCCG is Pastor Adeboye, a highly respected man of God in Nigeria. They also hold the record of the Pentecostal church with the most branches in Nigeria.

2. MOUNTAIN OF FIRE AND MIRACLE MINISTRY (MFM)

This church was founded by Dr. Daniel Olukoya. The church’s auditorium can accommodate about 550, 000 persons during a service. It is one the most popular church in Nigeria with Redeem.

3. LIVING FAITH CHURCH WORLD WIDE

Its other name is Winners Chapel International. It is among the biggest in Nigeria today. The owner of the church is Bishop, David Oyedepo and the church has its headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.  The church is able to seat up to 250,000 people at once. Sometimes ago, it was labeled as the largest church in the world by the Guinness Book of Records.  The land on which the church is located is called Cananland and it represents the global headquarters of the church.

4. THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH

This is one of the oldest churches in Nigeria that has branches almost every where in Nigeria. The membership base of Apostolic church in Nigeria also run in millions. The church headquarters have been under construction for about 26 years now.  The church auditorium is located in Lagos, Nigeria and can sit up to 100,000 people at once.

5. DEEPER LIFE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

Deeper life ministry was founded by Pastor Williams Folorunsho Kumuyi. Starting his ministry with just 15 persons in 1973, the church has grown to be one of the most popular churches in Nigeria. Deeper Life auditorium which costs almost N4 billion is also one of the biggest in Nigeria that can sit up to 30,000 people.

6. THE COMMONWEALTH OF ZION ASSEMBLY (COZA)

Coza ministry started in 1999 by Reverend Biodun Fatoyinbo.  Since then, it has grown to be one of the biggest in the nation with its branches across Nigeria. Its new headquarters is located in Abuja.

7. CHRIST EMBASSY

Christ Embassy is a poplar Nigerian church owned by influential Pastor Chris Oyakilome, one of the richest pastors in Nigeria and even in the world. The church has its branches spread across Nigeria with its headquarters in Lagos.

8. DAYSTAR CHRISTIAN CENTER (DCC)

The church is currently owned by Samuel Adeyemi who believes in raising leaders and models in Christ. The church’s auditorium is also large. Pastor Sam is more of a motivation speaker than a preacher.

9. THE LORD’S CHOSEN CHARISMATIC REVIVAL MINISTRY (LCCRM)

This is a massive church in Nigeria with large membership of mostly Igbos. The church broke out from the Catholic church and has its headquarters in Lagos.

10. FOUNTAIN OF LIFE CHURCH 

This church was very popular in Nigeria and one of the biggest when one its owners was alive, late Dr. Bimbo Odukoya. The church is still doing pretty fine with its message focused on the single and married.

Although religion in Nigeria is influential, the various denominations in Nigeria are attracting more members to their fan base. For example, Pentecostalism has almost toppled the orthodox churches in Nigeria as many Catholics and Anglicans are now running into these Pentecostal churches due to the miracles performed there. That is why at the moment, the Pentecostal churches in Nigeria are the most popular not just in Nigeria but in Africa.

Below is a list of the most popular Pentecostal churches in Nigeria presently

• Redeemed Christian Church of God
• Living Faith Church
• Christ Embassy
• DayStar Christian Center
• Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries
• Fountain of Life Church
• Covenant Christian Center
• Synagogue Church of All Nations owned by Late Prophet T. B. Joshua
• Latter Rain Assembly
• House on The Rock

LIST OF THE LARGEST CHURCH AUDITORIUMS IN NIGERIA (2024)

The main auditorium for worship services, as well as additional rooms for children and teenagers, small groups, and sometimes a cafeteria or a gym, is part of the Evangelical Christian megachurch building.

The following are the criteria for inclusion:

This is a list of only the top church auditoriums in Nigeria. The list does not include church tents, canopies, or overflows. The Redeemed Christian Church of God’s multimillion-capacity church campground, for example, fails to meet this standard since it is not entirely enclosed.

The figures are based on seating capacity of the auditorium from weekly services. Figures from monthly/yearly conventions, congress and outreaches are not factored in this list. For this reason, the seven million plus average attendees to the convention of Redeemed Christian Church of God is not included in this list as it is not a weekly service.

The calculations are based on a single service’s human capacity. Churches with multiple consecutive services will only be represented by one. Faith Tabernacle, for example, which offers four services every Sunday in its 50,000-capacity auditorium and is therefore included in the list as having 50,000 people rather than 200,000 people.

The following auditoria are to be included: Those with a capacity of 10,000 and above.

HAND OF GOD CATHEDRAL

In Nigeria, the Salvation Ministries headquarters and cathedral in Port Harcourt is the country’s biggest church auditorium. It’s not only the country’s largest but also the globe’s largest. The Hand of God Cathedral can seat 120,000 people. This church auditorium has a greater seating capacity than any other except for one football stadium on the planet.

DUNAMIS INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL CENTRE

The second largest church auditorium in Nigeria and the world is located at Dunamis International Gospel Centre. The FCT’s biggest theater, the Abuja Auditorium, was built in 2018 and can accommodate 100,000 people. It was formerly the world’s largest church auditorium until Salvation Ministries completed the Hand of God Cathedral in 2020.

CHAMPIONS ROYAL ASSEMBLY ABUJA

Joshua Iginla, a senior pastor at Champions Royal Assembly, started the institution. The church’s main auditorium in Abuja is the third biggest in Nigeria, according to Guinness World Records. The Champions Royal Assembly Abuja auditorium was finished in 2015, and for the following three years, it was the world’s biggest church auditorium. The capacity of this church auditorium is 80,000 people.

LIVING FAITH CHURCH WORLDWIDE

The Faith Tabernacle was Nigeria’s biggest church auditorium for a while, having been established in 1999 by Nigeria’s richest bishop, David Oyedepo. It is also the oldest church auditorium on our list, accommodating over 50,000 people. This church auditorium was built in one year and set the bar for every subsequent megachurch in Nigeria.

WORD OF LIFE BIBLE CHURCH

The Word of Life Bible Church may not be well-known in other parts of Nigeria. It is, however, one of the most famous churches in Delta and one of the biggest church auditoriums in the state. This Warri church auditorium, which was entirely constructed in 2014, has a capacity of 35,000 people. The International Gospel Centre, which opened in 2000, was expanded in 2014 to accommodate 35,000 people.

DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH

W.F Kumuyi is the founder of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, a large church he leads. The 6th largest church auditorium in Nigeria was established in 1973. The church auditorium seats 30,000 people but may occasionally accommodate up to 65,000 individuals.