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Bishop David Oyedepo is a Nigerian preacher and educator best known as the founder and presiding bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also called Winners’ Chapel International. He also founded Covenant University and Landmark University, and is widely described as one of the wealthiest pastors in the world.
Key Facts
- Founder and presiding bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel International).
- Built Faith Tabernacle in Canaanland, Ota, dedicated in 1999, one of the world’s largest church auditoriums.
- Founded Covenant University (2002) and Landmark University (2011), serving as chancellor of both.
- Named by Forbes in 2011 as one of the richest pastors in Nigeria.
| Profile Snapshot | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Olaniyi Oyedepo |
| Known As | Bishop David Oyedepo |
| Date of Birth | 1954-09-27 |
| Age | 71 |
| Place of Birth | Osogbo, Nigeria (Omu-Aran, Kwara State origin) |
| Nationality | 🇳🇬 Nigerian |
| Occupation | Preacher, author, educator |
| Education | Kwara State Polytechnic (Architecture) |
| Best Known For | Founding Living Faith Church (Winners’ Chapel) |
| Net Worth | Estimated US$150 million-US$200 million (as of 2026, reported) |
Who Is Bishop David Oyedepo? Early Life and Education
Bishop David Oyedepo was born David Olaniyi Oyedepo on 27 September 1954 in Osogbo, Nigeria, with roots in Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
He has spoken about a mixed religious household: reports describe his father as a Muslim and his mother as a member of the Cherubim and Seraphim church, part of Nigeria’s Aladura tradition.
Oyedepo studied architecture at Kwara State Polytechnic and worked briefly in government before turning fully to ministry. He says a spiritual experience in 1981 set him on the path to founding his church.
Founding of Living Faith Church
Oyedepo traces the beginning of his ministry to 1981, when he says he received a mandate to liberate people through faith. The work grew into Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners’ Chapel.
The church was officially commissioned in 1983, with Oyedepo and his wife ordained as pastors. From its early base, the ministry expanded rapidly across Nigeria.
Today the network describes branches in hundreds of cities across Nigeria, Africa and beyond, making Living Faith Church one of the largest Pentecostal movements to come out of the country.
Canaanland and Winners’ Chapel Growth
A defining project for Bishop David Oyedepo was the development of Canaanland, the ministry’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State. At its centre sits Faith Tabernacle, dedicated in 1999.
Faith Tabernacle is frequently cited as one of the largest church auditoriums in the world, with a reported seating capacity of about 50,000. It draws large crowds for the church’s services and conventions.
Canaanland has grown into a sprawling campus that houses church facilities, schools, a publishing arm and other ventures, reflecting the scale of the wider Winners’ Chapel enterprise.
Covenant University and Education Investments
Beyond preaching, Bishop David Oyedepo invested heavily in education. In 2002 his ministry opened Covenant University in Ota, which has become one of Nigeria’s best-known private universities.
In 2011 the mission established Landmark University in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, with a strong focus on agriculture. Oyedepo serves as chancellor of both institutions.
The two universities, alongside a network of Faith Academy schools, form a major part of his legacy and are often highlighted as evidence of the ministry’s investment in human capital.
Personal Life and Books
Bishop David Oyedepo is married to Pastor Faith Oyedepo, who is also a preacher and author and works closely with him in the ministry. The couple have children, several of whom are involved in church work.
He is a prolific author, credited with writing more than 70 inspirational and Christian books published through his ministry’s Dominion Publishing House, on themes such as faith, prosperity and personal development.
Bishop David Oyedepo’s Net Worth
Estimates of Oyedepo’s net worth typically range from about US$150 million to US$200 million. These figures are widely circulated but are not officially disclosed, and they trace largely back to a 2011 Forbes report that named him among the richest pastors in Nigeria.
Oyedepo himself has publicly disputed such valuations. Viorah TV presents these numbers only as reported estimates, not confirmed figures, since his personal finances are not a matter of public record.
From a 1981 mandate to a global church and two universities, Bishop David Oyedepo built one of Nigeria’s most far-reaching faith enterprises.
— Viorah TV
Controversies
As one of Nigeria’s most prominent pastors, Oyedepo features regularly in the wider public debate over the wealth of Pentecostal church leaders. Critics question how megachurch finances are managed, while supporters point to the ministry’s investments in education and outreach.
He has also drawn attention for outspoken comments on national and political issues, which some have welcomed and others criticised. None of this involves any proven wrongdoing on his part, and he and the ministry defend their positions publicly. Viorah TV reports these matters only as public record, attributing views to their sources and taking no position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bishop David Oyedepo?
He is a Nigerian preacher, author and educator, and the founder and presiding bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel International.
When and where was Bishop David Oyedepo born?
He was born David Olaniyi Oyedepo on 27 September 1954 in Osogbo, Nigeria, with roots in Omu-Aran, Kwara State.
What did Bishop David Oyedepo found?
He founded Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel), built Faith Tabernacle in Canaanland, and established Covenant University and Landmark University.
Who is Bishop David Oyedepo’s wife?
He is married to Pastor Faith Oyedepo, a preacher and author who works alongside him in the ministry.
What is Bishop David Oyedepo’s net worth?
Reported estimates range from about US$150 million to US$200 million. These figures are not officially disclosed, and Oyedepo has himself disputed such valuations.
Conclusion
Bishop David Oyedepo has built one of the most influential faith movements to emerge from Nigeria. From the founding of Living Faith Church to the towering Faith Tabernacle and two universities, his work spans ministry, education and publishing. Whether celebrated or debated, he remains a central figure in Nigerian Pentecostalism and a subject of enduring public interest.
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