This article outlines the most popular female pastors in Nigeria.
The church in Nigeria and several other countries discourage females from being in ministry. The known reason behind this is people’s different understanding of 1 Corinthians 14:34, which says women should keep silent in church.
While some denominations argue that the passage referred to a wife and her husband, many others believe it spoke of women leading church groups. As a result of this, there are two groups of Christians. The first group believe women are scripturally permitted to be in ministry while the other group thinks a woman should never be in ministry.
However, there are several examples of women all over the world who have made great exploits in the body of Christ.
In no particular order, let us get to know some of the most popular female pastors in Nigeria.
Bishop Margaret Idahosa
Margaret Idahosa who was born on 29 July 1943 is the wife of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa. She is the Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International. She is also a preacher, an author and the Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University.
Some of her works include The womb of harvest, Expansion without Limit and Tearing the veil.
Bishop Margaret was the first African female to become an Archbishop and to date, she is doing exceedingly well in ministry.
Pastor Becky Eneche
Becky Eneche is said to be the most powerful female pastor in Nigeria. Asides from being a preacher, she also doubles as a trained medical doctor.
Becky is the wife of Paul Eneche, the Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre. She is very passionate about the youth. She runs a program called strategic success secrets which focuses on mentoring young people.
Rev Helen Ukpabio
Helen Ukpabio is the founder and head of the African Evangelical franchise Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries based in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
She is married to Dr Elijah Ukpabio and the marriage is blessed with 3 children. In 1992, Rev Helen founded Liberty Gospel Foundation ministries with the sole aim of spreading the word of God and delivering people possessed with witchcraft.
In 1999, she established her film production company ‘Liberty Films’ and she has produced several movies to expose the kingdom of darkness such as “End of the wicked, Married to a witch, Highway to the Grave, The coven” etc.
Rev Funke Adetuberu
She is one of the most popular female pastors in Nigeria. Her ministry, Faith Chapel International is located in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. She is also the founder of the Women’s College of Ministry and the School of Finishing Touches, both located in Nigeria.
Rev. Funke is married to Pastor Nelson Adebeturu, the founder of Faith Chapel International.
She runs a charity organization which has been of immense help to millions of people.
Rev. Esther Olubunmi Ajayi
She is one of the most popular female pastors in Nigeria.
Iya Adura as she is popularly known was born on the 2nd of April, 1963 in Lagos state Nigeria.
She is a clergywoman, prophetess, pastor, Philanthropist and founder of the Cathedral of Love of Crust Generation church.
She is married to Mr Ademuyiwa Ajayi who hails from Ogun state and the union is blessed with 4 children and an adopted daughter.
Before rising to where she is today, she was notable for always prophesying to people and it would come to pass. In 1993, Rev Esther Ajayi gave her life to Christ at the Faith Bible college in Sango Ota, Ogun state after a robbery attack that almost took the life of her husband and the fear of a recurrence made her heed the call of God upon her life.
In 2007, she began her own church, Love of God Generation church in London and in 2015, the church moved into a newly renovated cathedral in Clapham, London. In 2021, the church constructed and dedicated its branch in Victoria Island, Lagos.
