Bishop David Oyedepo: Biography, Family, Net Worth, and the Rise of Winners' Chapel

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David Olaniyi Oyedepo (born September 27, 1954) is a Nigerian pastor, author, architect, and educator based in Ota, Ogun State. He is the founder and presiding bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, better known as Winners’ Chapel International, one of the largest Pentecostal church networks in Africa. Oyedepo is also the chancellor of Covenant University and Landmark University, and he is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential preachers of faith and prosperity teaching.

[IMAGE: Bishop David Oyedepo preaching at Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland]

Bishop David Oyedepo at a Glance

Personal
Full name	David Olaniyi Oyedepo
Born	September 27, 1954, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
State of origin	Omu-Aran, Kwara State
Age	71 (as of September 2026)
Nationality	Nigerian
Spouse	Faith Abiola Oyedepo (m. 1982)
Children	David Oyedepo Jr., Isaac Oyedepo, Love Oyedepo-Ogah, Joyce Oyedepo-Abodunrin
Parents	Ibrahim Oyedepo (father); Dorcas Morenike Oyedepo (mother)
Education
Higher National Diploma	Architecture, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin
Doctorate	PhD, Human Development, Honolulu University, Hawaii
Ministry
Title	Presiding Bishop
Church	Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel International)
Denomination	Charismatic / Word of Faith (Pentecostal)
Founded	1981
Spiritual father	Pastor Enoch Adeboye
Ordained bishop by	Archbishop Benson Idahosa
Career
Books published	70+
Universities founded	Covenant University; Landmark University
Net worth	Disputed; Forbes estimated $150 million in 2011
Website	davidoyedepo.org

Early Life and Background

Oyedepo was born in Osogbo, in what is now Osun State, but his family roots trace back to Omu-Aran in Kwara State. His childhood home was religiously mixed. His father, Ibrahim, practiced traditional Muslim healing. His mother, Dorcas, belonged to the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement, part of Nigeria’s Aladura Christian tradition.

He was raised largely by his grandmother in Osogbo. She took him to early morning prayers and taught him the discipline of tithing long before he understood what ministry would become of his life. That grounding stuck.

At 15, in February 1969, Oyedepo became a born-again Christian. He credits the shift to Betty Lasher, a teacher who took a personal interest in him during his high school years and pointed him toward faith.

Education

Oyedepo studied architecture at Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin, earning a Higher National Diploma. He briefly worked with the Federal Ministry of Housing in Ilorin after graduating. He later added a PhD in Human Development from Honolulu University in Hawaii, a credential he references often in his teaching on leadership and destiny.

The civil service job didn’t last. Once ministry took hold of his direction, he resigned to focus on it full time.

Ministry and the Founding of Winners’ Chapel

On May 8, 1981, Oyedepo gathered a small group of about 70 young men and women. This “Power House” became the seed of what would grow into a global church network. Days later, he says he received an 18-hour vision instructing him to preach a message of liberation from spiritual and material oppression. He calls this his founding mandate.

[IMAGE: Winners’ Chapel Faith Tabernacle auditorium, Canaanland, Ota]

That vision led to Liberation Faith Hour Ministries, launched in 1981 in Kaduna. The name later changed to Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly called Winners’ Chapel.

Who Ordained Bishop Oyedepo?

On September 17, 1983, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, ordained David and his wife as pastors and formally commissioned the new church. Oyedepo has referred to Adeboye as his father in the Lord, or spiritual father, ever since. He credits Adeboye with laying hands on him early in the ministry so he “won’t go the way others have gone,” and the two men have maintained a visible, mutually respectful relationship across four decades of Nigerian church life.

Five years later, in 1988, Oyedepo was ordained a bishop by Archbishop Benson Idahosa, a pioneering figure in African Pentecostalism whom Oyedepo calls his life mentor. Idahosa passed away in 1998.

In 1989, the church relocated its base to Lagos, then eventually to Canaanland, a sprawling campus in Ota, Ogun State, that now houses the church headquarters, two universities, and several schools.

Rise to Prominence

The centerpiece of Canaanland is Faith Tabernacle, a 50,000-seat auditorium built in just 12 months and reportedly completed debt-free. When it was finished in 1999, Guinness World Records recognized it as the largest church auditorium in the world, a title it held for years before newer structures caught up (see our roundup of Nigeria’s largest church auditoriums for how it compares today).

Under Oyedepo’s leadership, Winners’ Chapel expanded into more than 300 cities across all 36 Nigerian states, plus branches spread across roughly 45 African nations and locations in Dubai, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe and Asia. Few Nigerian-founded churches have matched that geographic reach.

The ministry is now building an even larger structure, The Ark, a project designed to seat over 100,000 worshippers and estimated to cost upward of $200 million on completion. Pastor Enoch Adeboye has visited the site personally to see its progress, a public sign of how close the two men’s ministries remain.

Shiloh: The Annual Gathering

Each December, Winners’ Chapel hosts Shiloh, its signature prophetic conference, drawing worshippers from across Nigeria and abroad to Faith Tabernacle. Shiloh 2025 ran from December 9 to 14, 2025, under the theme “Breaking New Grounds,” with prominent guest ministers including Pastor Paul Enenche and Pastor David Ibiyeomie joining the program. Oyedepo’s sons and their families were also present, a detail that drew attention on social media as the ministry’s second generation continues to step into visible roles.

[IMAGE: Shiloh annual convention crowd at Faith Tabernacle Canaanland]

Books and Publications

Oyedepo is a prolific author. Through Dominion Publishing House, the ministry’s in-house publishing arm, he has released more than 70 books on faith, prosperity, leadership, and Christian living. His teaching material is organized around a framework he calls the “12 Pillars of Destiny,” covering topics from faith and prayer to wisdom and the supernatural.

Personal Life

Oyedepo married Florence Abiola Akano, now known as Faith Abiola Oyedepo, in 1982. She was born February 5, 1958, and co-pastors alongside him, leading much of the church’s teaching on marriage, family, and women’s development. She is the author of several books herself, including Understanding Womanhood and The Healing Scriptures.

The couple has four children, all of whom are active in ministry:

David Oyedepo Jr. (born June 1, 1983) is a graduate of Oral Roberts University and now serves as resident pastor of Faith Tabernacle in Ota, having previously pastored the church’s London branch. He married Kemi Olubu in 2008; they have two children.
Isaac Oyedepo (born February 25, 1985) leads Winners’ Chapel International in Maryland, USA, after earlier serving in South Africa. He is married to Ayomitide.
Love Oyedepo-Ogah (born May 31, 1987) is married to Pastor Stephen Ogah and founded The Bloom Woman, an outreach for women.
Joyce Oyedepo-Abodunrin (born September 27, 1992) married Abimbola Abodunrin in 2020 and heads the Women of the Godkind foundation.

David Jr. and Isaac were both ordained as pastors in May 2007 by American televangelist Kenneth Copeland, one of the Word of Faith preachers Oyedepo has long cited as a personal mentor.

Theology and Ministry Philosophy

Oyedepo’s preaching sits firmly within the Word of Faith movement, a strand of charismatic Christianity that emphasizes faith-filled speech, divine healing, and financial prosperity as evidence of God’s blessing. He has openly named his theological influences: Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Gloria Copeland, E.W. Kenyon, T.L. Osborn, and Smith Wigglesworth on the international side, and Enoch Adeboye and Benson Idahosa among Nigerian preachers.

His core message centers on liberation, the idea that believers are meant to be free from poverty, sickness, and spiritual oppression through faith in scripture. Critics place this squarely in the prosperity gospel category; supporters see it as practical empowerment theology built for African congregations.

Influence and Legacy

Oyedepo is widely credited as one of the architects of Africa’s modern charismatic movement. Beyond his own pulpit, he has mentored a generation of Nigerian pastors who now lead major ministries of their own, including Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, who has spoken publicly about Oyedepo’s influence on his early ministry.

His educational footprint is just as significant. Covenant University in Ota and Landmark University in Omu-Aran were both built without government funding and have produced thousands of graduates, with Covenant regularly ranking among Nigeria’s top private universities.

In mid-2026, Oyedepo appeared publicly alongside Adeboye at a Washington, D.C. event addressing insecurity in Nigeria, describing the country as being “at the brink of collapse” and calling for stronger international support, a reminder that his platform now extends well past the pulpit.

Criticism and Controversies

Oyedepo’s wealth has drawn sustained public criticism. Reports have documented a fleet of four private jets associated with the ministry, a Bombardier Challenger 604, a Grumman Gulfstream I, a Gulfstream IV, and a Gulfstream V, along with an in-house aviation company, Dominion Air, that maintains them.

In a widely circulated 2023 sermon clip, Oyedepo defended the acquisitions bluntly, saying his ministry changes “private jets like bicycles” because of what he describes as God’s provision. Critics argue that level of luxury sits uneasily next to prosperity teaching aimed at congregations who are often financially stretched. Supporters counter that the assets belong to ministry institutions, not to Oyedepo personally, and point to the free education and outreach the same institutions fund.

The broader prosperity gospel model Oyedepo teaches has also faced theological pushback from critics who argue it overstates the link between faith and material wealth. Oyedepo has largely brushed off the criticism in public appearances, once dismissing a widely reported net worth figure as, in his words, an insult that understated what he’s “worth” in scriptural terms.

Net Worth and Financial Information

Bishop Oyedepo’s real net worth has never been independently verified. The one figure traceable to actual financial journalism is a 2011 Forbes estimate of roughly $150 million, which named him the richest pastor in Nigeria at the time. Numerous blogs and content sites since then have repeated, inflated, or contradicted that number, with claims ranging from $150 million to over $200 million and occasional unsupported “billionaire” labels. None of those later figures are backed by financial disclosures or credible reporting, so treat them as unverified.

What is documented is the scale of the institutions tied to his ministry: Living Faith Church Worldwide, Dominion Publishing House, Covenant University, Landmark University, and Dominion Air. Oyedepo’s income, separate from those institutional assets, has not been publicly disclosed.

Awards and Recognition

Named by Forbes magazine in 2011 as the richest pastor in Nigeria
Faith Tabernacle recognized by Guinness World Records as one of the largest church auditoriums in the world
Regarded as one of the founding figures of Africa’s modern charismatic movement

Interesting Facts

Oyedepo’s father was a Muslim healer and his mother followed the Cherubim and Seraphim movement, an unusual mixed-faith household for a man who became one of Africa’s leading Christian preachers.
He trained as an architect before becoming a pastor, and associates say that background shaped his hands-on involvement in Canaanland’s construction projects.
David Oyedepo Jr. was born exactly nine months after his parents’ wedding, a detail the family has referenced publicly with some humor.
Winners’ Chapel and the Redeemed Christian Church of God once scheduled their two biggest annual events, Shiloh and the Holy Ghost Congress, in consecutive weeks so members could attend both.

Timeline

1954 — Born September 27 in Osogbo, Osun State
1969 — Becomes born-again at age 15
1981 — Receives founding vision; launches Liberation Faith Hour Ministries in Kaduna
1982 — Marries Florence Abiola Akano (Faith Oyedepo)
1983 — Ordained pastor by Enoch Adeboye; first son David Jr. is born
1988 — Ordained bishop by Archbishop Benson Idahosa
1989 — Church relocates to Lagos
2007 — Sons David Jr. and Isaac ordained pastors by Kenneth Copeland
2011 — Forbes names him richest pastor in Nigeria, estimating $150 million
2021 — Construction begins on The Ark, a 100,000+ seat auditorium
2025 — Shiloh 2025, “Breaking New Grounds,” held December 9–14 at Canaanland

Frequently Asked Questions

How many wives does Bishop Oyedepo have?

Bishop Oyedepo has one wife, Pastor Faith Abiola Oyedepo, whom he married in 1982. They have been married for more than four decades and have four children together.

Who is Bishop David Oyedepo’s spiritual father?

Oyedepo refers to Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, as his spiritual father. Adeboye ordained him and his wife as pastors in 1983 and has remained close to him ever since.

Is Bishop David Oyedepo a billionaire?

There is no verified evidence that he is. The only figure tied to credible financial reporting is a 2011 Forbes estimate of about $150 million. Claims of billionaire status circulate online but are not backed by disclosed financial records.

How many private jets does Bishop David Oyedepo have?

Reports consistently point to four private jets linked to the ministry: a Bombardier Challenger 604, a Grumman Gulfstream I, a Gulfstream IV, and a Gulfstream V.

What course did David Oyedepo study?

He studied architecture, earning a Higher National Diploma from Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin before entering full-time ministry.

What state is Bishop David Oyedepo originally from?

He hails from Omu-Aran in Kwara State, though he was born in Osogbo, now part of Osun State.

How old is Bishop David Oyedepo?

He was born on September 27, 1954, making him 71 years old as of September 2026.

How old is Bishop Oyedepo’s wife?

Faith Oyedepo was born on February 5, 1958, making her 68 years old as of 2026.

How many children does David Oyedepo have?

He has four children: David Oyedepo Jr., Isaac Oyedepo, Love Oyedepo-Ogah, and Joyce Oyedepo-Abodunrin.

Where can I watch Bishop David Oyedepo’s live services and messages?

Winners’ Chapel streams services, including Covenant Hour of Prayer and Shiloh sessions, through the church’s official channels and DOMI Inc. broadcast platforms, alongside its official YouTube channel and Facebook page.

What was the theme of Shiloh 2025?

Shiloh 2025 ran under the theme “Breaking New Grounds” from December 9 to 14, 2025, at Faith Tabernacle in Canaanland, Ota.

References

David Oyedepo — Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Oyedepo. Accessed September 16, 2026.

Benson Idahosa — Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benson_Idahosa. Accessed September 16, 2026.

Wealthy Nigerians, Pastors Spend $225 million on Private Jets — Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2011/05/17/wealthy-nigerians-pastors-spend-225-million-on-private-jets/. Accessed September 16, 2026.

Nigeria’s Richest Pastor Puts Private Jets Up For Sale — Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2011/08/04/nigerias-richest-pastor-puts-private-jets-up-for-sale/. Accessed September 16, 2026.

Why I Change Private Jets Like Bicycles — Bishop Oyedepo — Tori.ng. https://www.tori.ng/news/246740/why-i-change-private-jets-like-bicycles-bishop-oye.html. Accessed September 16, 2026.

$150m too small, I’m worth more — Bishop Oyedepo rubbishes Forbes report — GhanaWeb. https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/150m-too-small-I-m-worth-more-Bishop-Oyedepo-rubbishes-Forbes-report-627264. Accessed September 16, 2026.

Adeboye, Oyedepo seek stronger U.S. support against terrorism — The Guardian Nigeria. https://guardian.ng/news/adeboye-oyedepo-seek-stronger-u-s-support-against-terrorism/. Accessed September 16, 2026.

Why Adeboye And Oyedepo Are Inseparable — People & Power. https://peopleandpowerngr.com/2016/05/why-adeboye-and-oyedepo-are-inseparable/. Accessed September 16, 2026.

Adeboye Visits Bishop Oyedepo’s $200 Million 109,345 Capacity Seat Ark Legacy Project — Global Upfront Newspapers. https://globalupfront.com/2022/03/13/adeboye-visits-bishop-oyedepos-200-million-109345-capacity-seat-ark-legacy-project/. Accessed September 16, 2026.

Shiloh 2025: Bishop Oyedepo’s Grandchildren Steal the Show — Legit.ng. https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1687500-shiloh-2025-bishop-oyedepos-grandchildren-steal-show-big-bibles-sweet-video/. Accessed September 16, 2026.

David Oyedepo Jnr, wife celebrate 17th wedding anniversary — QED.NG. https://www.qed.ng/david-oyedepo-jnr-wife-celebrate-17th-wedding-anniversary/. Accessed September 16, 2026.

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is 61 — The Guardian Nigeria. https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/high-society/pastor-faith-oyedepo-is-61/. Accessed September 16, 2026.

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Bishop David Oyedepo: Biography, Family, Net Worth, and the Rise of Winners’ Chapel