Why Oyedepo Remains A Talking Point

For over four decades, David Oyedepo has remained one of the most discussed religious figures in Nigeria.

Whether for his sprawling church network, educational investments, bold sermons, or public interventions, the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide continues to command attention within and beyond the Christian community.

Founded in 1981, Living Faith Church — popularly known as Winners’ Chapel — has grown into a global Pentecostal movement with branches across Africa, Europe, the United States and Asia.

At its headquarters in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, sits the 50,000-capacity Faith Tabernacle, once listed among the largest church auditoriums in the world.

The sheer scale of the complex — which also houses schools, businesses and administrative hubs — has often been cited as evidence of the ministry’s organisational depth.

Oyedepo’s influence extends strongly into education. He is the chancellor of Covenant University, established in 2002, and Landmark University, founded in 2011.

Covenant University has, over the years, ranked prominently among Nigeria’s top private universities, strengthening his reputation as a cleric who ventured successfully into structured institutional development.

His teachings, particularly on prosperity and dominion theology, have also kept him in public discourse. In one of his widely circulated sermons, Oyedepo declared:

“The era of prosperity has come to stay in the body of Christ.” The statement, consistent with his long-standing emphasis on covenant practice and financial empowerment, reinforced both his appeal among followers and criticism from skeptics who question prosperity-focused preaching.

Beyond theology, confirmed moments have further cemented his place in national conversations. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Oyedepo openly resisted prolonged church closures, insisting that worship centres should not be treated like markets.

“The church is not a place where people come to catch virus,” he said during a broadcast sermon at the time — remarks that drew both support and backlash across social media platforms.

Yet, his defenders point to philanthropy and structured welfare systems within the church.

The ministry runs scholarship schemes, rural church planting initiatives, and community-based support programmes across Nigeria.

Through Covenant and Landmark Universities, thousands of students have passed through privately funded institutions at a time when public universities face recurring industrial disputes.

Longevity remains another defining factor. Few religious leaders in Nigeria have sustained growth and relevance for over 40 years without a major institutional split.

Since 1981, Oyedepo has maintained organisational control, expanded internationally, and continued to command large in-person and online congregations.

In a country where faith intersects strongly with public life, Oyedepo’s voice still carries weight — whether in sermons, institutional leadership, or moments of national tension.

Admirers view him as a symbol of vision, structure and audacity. Critics see him as emblematic of the prosperity gospel’s dominance in modern Pentecostalism.

Either way, the conversation around him has not faded — and shows little sign of doing so.