Nigerian pastors have been ranked among the wealthiest in the world but their respective churches have not been classified among the richest.
Generally, Nigerians are tremendously religious, as the country has a large population of over two hundred million people out of which half of that size are Christians.
Nigeria as a country is the sixth largest producer of crude oil in the world but over 70 percent of its populace leaves below the poverty line spending less than a US dollar per day.
Looking at the richest churches of the world, no Nigerian church made it to the top 7 list provided below.
On the list, we have:
1. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – $67.0 billon.
2. Catholic Church – over $30 billion.
3. Catholic Church Australia – $20.9 billion.
4. Catholic Church Germany – $25.0 billion.
5. Church of England – $7.8 billion.
6. Opus Dei (part of the Catholic Church) Italy – $2.8 billon.
7. Church of Scientology- $2.0 billon.
On this list (above), no Nigerian church is listed, but that is not the case with the ranking of richest pastors in the world. Nigerian pastors appeared five times on the top 10 list of world richest pastors.
2024 List of Richest Pastors in the World
The richest pastors in the world are known for their large congregations, extensive ministries, media enterprises, book sales, and various business ventures. Here are some of the wealthiest pastors globally:
1. Bishop David Oyedepo (Nigeria)
- Net Worth: Estimated at over $150 million.
- Ministry: Founder and presiding bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel.
- Assets: Covenant University, several schools, a publishing house, and extensive real estate.
2. Pastor Kenneth Copeland (USA)
- Net Worth: Estimated at $300 million to $750 million.
- Ministry: Founder of Kenneth Copeland Ministries.
- Assets: Private jets, a large estate, and other investments.
3. Pastor Joel Osteen (USA)
- Net Worth: Estimated at $100 million.
- Ministry: Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church, the largest Protestant church in the U.S.
- Assets: Best-selling books, media ventures, and real estate.
4. Pastor Pat Robertson (USA)
- Net Worth: Estimated at $100 million.
- Ministry: Founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) and host of “The 700 Club.”
- Assets: Media empire, Regent University, and real estate.
5. Pastor Benny Hinn (USA)
- Net Worth: Estimated at $60 million.
- Ministry: Known for his healing crusades and televangelism.
- Assets: Book sales, TV broadcasts, and other ventures.
6. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (Nigeria)
- Net Worth: Estimated at $50 million.
- Ministry: Founder of Christ Embassy (Believers’ Loveworld).
- Assets: Media networks, book sales, real estate.
7. Pastor Creflo Dollar (USA)
- Net Worth: Estimated at $27 million.
- Ministry: Founder of World Changers Church International.
- Assets: Private jet, real estate, book sales.
8. Pastor T.D. Jakes (USA)
- Net Worth: Estimated at $20 million.
- Ministry: Founder of The Potter’s House.
- Assets: Best-selling books, movies, and media ventures.
9. Pastor Rick Warren (USA)
- Net Worth: Estimated at $25 million.
- Ministry: Founder of Saddleback Church and author of “The Purpose Driven Life.”
- Assets: Book sales, speaking engagements, and other ventures.
10. Pastor Joseph Prince (Singapore)
- Net Worth: Estimated at $5 million.
- Ministry: Senior Pastor of New Creation Church.
- Assets: Book sales, media, and church contributions.
2023 List of richest pastors in the world:
Pastor Adeboye of The RCCG is not included here For Statistics Say he is Richer than Oyedepo .
1. Bishop David Oyedepo – Net worth: $150 Million (Nigeria).
Oyedepo is the richest pastor in Nigeria and the world as he is the founder of the Living Faith World Outreach Ministry. Ever since he founded this ministry in 1981, it has grown to become one of Africa’s largest congregations. He hosts three services every Sunday in The Faith Tabernacle. The clergy own a private jet and churches in Nigeria and abroad.
2. Chris Oyakhilome – Net worth: $50 Million (Nigeria).
Chris Oyakhilome’s church Christ Embassy has more than 40,000 members, several of whom are successful entrepreneurs and politicians. This pastor’s diversified interests include magazines, newspapers, a TV station, a record label, hotels, satellite TV and real estate.
3. Benny Hinn – Net worth: $42 Million (United States).
This Israeli-American televangelist earned wealth through his ministry and evangelical program. He is well-known for his regular miracle healing crusades, which are held in large stadiums in major cities and broadcasted in the TV.
4. Creflo Dollar – Net worth: $27 Million (United States).
This American televangelist and pastor is also a Word of Faith teacher. He is a founder of the non-denominational World Changers Church International. He has built a multimillion dollar ministry on the message “It is the will of God for you to prosper in every way.”
5. Evangelist Billy Graham – Net worth: $25 Million (United States).
Billy Graham was a southern Baptist while he was still alive. He earned celebrity status when his sermons were broadcast on radio and TV stations all over the United States. He founded the Billy Graham Evangelist Association in 1950.
6. T. D. Jakes – Net worth: $18 Million (United States).
Bishop T. D. Jakes is the apostle/bishop of The Potter’s House, a non-denominational American mega-church that has over 30,000 members. His ministry’s annual revival MegaFest draws more than 100,000 people.
7. T.B. Joshua – Net worth: $15 Million (Nigeria).
Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua was Nigeria’s most powerful, controversial and philanthropic preacher. He heads the Synagogue Church of all Nations, SCOAN, until his death in 2021, a congregation he founded in 1987. The christian minister, televangelist and faith healer is a big giver; his humanitarian works include education, healthcare and rehabilitation programs. He is the owner of Emmanuel TV, a Christian television network.
8. Chris Okotie – Net worth: $10 Million (Nigeria).
Chris Okotie was a pop musician in the 1980s. He embraced the Bible and set up the Household of God Church, one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant congregations. He is an automobile lover and owns several posh cars which include a Mercedes S600, Rolls-Royce, Hummer and Porsche.
9. Matthew Ashimolowo – Net worth: $10 Million (Nigeria).
Matthew Ashimolowo’s Kingsway International Christian Center, KICC, is the largest Pentecostal church in the United Kingdom. It has assets worth more than $40 million and earns profit of more than $10 million.
10. Joseph Prince – Net worth: $5 Million (Singapore).
Annual salary of this Singaporean pastor is $550,000. Pastor Joseph Prince is the senior pastor of the New Creation Church in Singapore. The New Creation Church’s financial income was reported at $44.7 million US dollars in 2008. He hosts a religious program called “Destined to Reign.” He has addressed many congregations worldwide.
None of the seven richest churches mentioned earlier have their leaders on this list of richest pastors.
Half of the top 10 richest Pastors in the world have their churches in Nigeria, a country faced with economic challenges, insurgency,