Nigeria, being a very religious country with almost half of the country being Christian, is home to some of the biggest and several religious congregations in the world. Some of these denominations were founded by Nigerians, while others were founded by foreign missionaries.
According to a recent statistic on the most prayerful countries in the world, Nigeria appeared to be the second most prayerful country on the planet. This can be traced to the persistent and frequent religious activities hosted in different parts of the nation.
Here we are going to be discussing the top 20 most popular Nigerian churches, and listing out names of popular churches in Nigeria in no particular order. Almost 9 out of every Christian Nigerian belongs to at least one of these big churches in Nigeria.
Our Top 20 Popular Churches in Nigeria
1. The Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church is the oldest, most popular, and one of the biggest churches in Nigeria. The church has at least a diocese or two in every state in Nigeria, with numerous parishes and church locations where masses are held every Sunday and for weekly activities. It has its headquarters in Rome, with Pope Francis being the leader and Most Revd. Obiora Augustine Akubueze (archbishop of Benin diocese) as the president of the catholic bishop conference.
2. The Redeemed Christian Church of God
The Redeemed Christian Church of God is undoubtedly the biggest pentecostal congregation in Nigeria. Founded by Rev. Josiah Akindayomi in 1952, it has Pastor Enoch Adeboye as its present general overseer. It boasts the largest pentecostal church in Nigeria and has one of the largest church auditoriums as its headquarters. The church has close to a thousand other branches scattered throughout the country.
3. The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion
Similar to the Catholic Church in terms of settings, the Anglican Church is one of the most popular churches in Nigeria. It was formerly the Church of England but broke away to become the Church of Nigeria a few years ago. The Anglican Church was founded by the Anglican Church Missionary Society (CMS) and came to Nigeria in 1841. The church is currently headed in Nigeria by its current primate, the most revered, Nicholas Okoh.
4. Living Faith Church Worldwide, aka Winner Chapel
Living Faith Church, also known as Winner Chapel, is one of the top churches in Nigeria, boasting millions of congregations with hundreds of branches scattered around the country and worldwide. The church was founded in 1983 by Bishop David Oyedepo, who was and is still the general overseer. Its headquarters, known as Canaan Land, sits on 10,500 acres of land and has over 50,000 weekly worshippers.
5. Deeper Life Bible Church
It is rare to find any Nigerian that does not know the deeper life of the Bible Church, as it has branches in even the remotest villages in the country. The church was founded in 1973 by its current general overseer, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, and currently boasts hundreds of thousand congregations. Their congregation is known particularly for their conservative lifestyle, especially their dressing. Its headquarters are situated in Gbagada, Lagos, and it receives over 40,000 weekly worshippers.
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6. The Apostolic Church
The apostolic church was founded in 1931 by Pastor Gabriel Olutola and is currently one of the oldest indigenous pentecostal churches in Nigeria. The church boasts millions of members and hundreds of branches across the country and even beyond. It also owns a campground that can contain over 100,000 worshippers.
7. Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries
Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries is a very popular church known particularly for its over spirituality and aggressive Christian worship and prayers. The church was founded in 1989 by Dr. David Olukoya. The church has hundreds of branches in almost every part of the country.
8. Christ Embassy International
Also known as Love World International, the Christ Embassy was founded in 1990 by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and has millions of members nationwide. It has its headquarters situated in Lagos and several branches in different parts of the country. The church is known for promoting gospel artists with the likes of Frank Edwards, Sinach Among others emanating from her.
9. Christ Apostolic Church
Popularly known by its acronym CAC, Christ Apostolic Church is one of the oldest charismatic pentecostal churches in Nigeria. The church was founded by Joseph Ayo Babalola in 1941. It has widespread popularity and hundreds of branches, particularly in the southwestern part of Nigeria. It is currently headed by Pastor Akinosun, though it has many sub-groups and factions with its own leaders.
10. Methodist Church of Nigeria
The Methodist Church is one of the first churches in Nigeria, as it came in with the British missionaries in 1842. It is somehow symbiotic to the Catholic and Anglican churches, going by its method of worship and setting. It is currently headed by the prelate, Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka.
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11. Commonwealth of the Zion Assembly (COZA)
Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, popularly known by the acronym Coza, is a new-generation pentecostal church founded in 1999 by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo. It is believed to be the church of the youth, particularly because most of its members are youth.
12. Celestial Church of Christ
Cele, as it is popularly called by locals, is the most popular white garment church, founded by Joseph Bilewu Oshoffa in Port Novo, Benin Republic, and has a wide-spread membership across West African countries. It is currently headed by Rev. Mathew Oshoffa, the 20th son of the founder.
13. The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement
The Lord’s Chosen was founded in 2002 by Pastor Lazarus Muoka after he left the Catholic Church. The church is known for their aggressive prayer life, their armor vest, which is like their signature, and their strong belief in miracles. The church membership is growing at a very fast rate, and more branches are coming up.
14. The Nigerian Baptist Convention
NBC is a denomination founded in 1994 and the 2nd largest in affiliation with the World Baptist Convention, founded in 1850. It has one of the biggest memberships in the country, with several branches across the country.
15. Cherubim and Seraphim (C & S)
This is another white garment church with huge membership across Nigeria. Cherubim and Seraphim was founded in 1925 by Rev. Moses Orimolade Tuno, which makes it one of the oldest Protestant churches in Nigeria. They are popularly known by their acronym C and S or kerubu by most locals.
16. Dunamis Church
Dunamis Church is a new-generation pentecostal ministry founded and headed by Pastor Paul Enenche and his wife, Dr. Becky Enenche. The church is known for having the biggest church auditorium in Nigeria, with over 100,000 weekly worshippers. The auditorium is popularly known as the Glory Dome.
17. Fountain of Life
Fountain of Life Church is a new and popular church founded in 1994 by the late Pastor Taiwo Odukoya and his late wife Bimbo Odukoya. Ever since their demise, the church leadership has been handed over to their son, Odukoya, an actor and minister in the church.
18. Salvation Ministries
The Salvation Ministries was founded in 1997 by Pastor David Ibiyome and has its headquarters in Port Harcourt, River State. The church is known for its broadcast teachings and spirit-filled worship. It is very popular and has a very large membership population.
19. Daystar Christian Centre
Daystar Christian Center is a popular church known for its western-style worship. The church was founded in 1995 by Pastor Samuel Adeyemi. The church is known particularly for their TV programs, which feature both worship, business coaching, and motivational speaking.
20. Synagogue Church of All Nations
The Synagogue Church of All Nations is one of the popular churches in Nigeria and was founded by the renown global minister, Prophet T.B. Joshua. He remained the general overseer until his passing in 2020. The church is known for healing and miracles, and as such, it is very popular globally. Pastor T.B. Joshua was one of the most well-known pastors in the world and the founder of the popular Emmanuel TV on Dstv. Its headquarters are in Ikotun, Lagos.