Bishop David Oyedepo biography: Learn his age, net worth, wife, education, family, early life, ministry, books and the story behind Winners’ Chapel.
Bishop Oyedepo is a Nigerian pastor, author, publisher, educator and the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners’ Chapel International. Born on September 27, 1954, in Osogbo, present-day Osun State, Nigeria, he grew up in a religiously mixed family and later became one of the most prominent Christian ministers in Nigeria and Africa.
Oyedepo’s ministry began from a vision and a commitment to Christian preaching that eventually developed into an international church organization. Living Faith Church has expanded from its early Nigerian beginnings into a global network, while his ministry has also established educational institutions, publishing operations and other organizations.
He is particularly associated with faith teaching, prosperity preaching, church growth and Christian education. His messages, books and sermons have attracted a large audience in Nigeria and internationally.
Beyond the pulpit, Oyedepo has become closely associated with Covenant University, Landmark University, Dominion Publishing House and the Word of Faith Bible Institute. The latter was established in 1986 as the training arm of Living Faith Church.
This Bishop David Oyedepo biography explores his age, net worth, wife, education, family, early life, ministry, career, books and major achievements.
See also: Don Jazzy Biography: Net Worth, Age, Wife, Education, Family, Career & Early Life
Highlights of Bishop Oyedepo Biography
- Full name: David Olaniyi Oyedepo
- Date of birth: September 27, 1954
- Age: 72 years old as of October 2026
- Place of birth: Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
- State of origin: Kwara State
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Profession: Pastor, author, publisher, educator and Christian minister
- Church: Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners’ Chapel
- Wife: Faith Abiola Oyedepo
- Marriage: 1982
- Children: Four
- Major institutions: Covenant University, Landmark University and Word of Faith Bible Institute
- Net worth: Not officially disclosed; widely circulated estimates should be treated as unverified
Early Life
David Olaniyi Oyedepo was born on September 27, 1954, in Osogbo, although his family is associated with Omu-Aran in Kwara State. His father was Ibrahim Oyedepo, while his mother was Dorcas Morenike Oyedepo.
His childhood was influenced by a religiously diverse family background. His father was associated with Islam, while his mother belonged to the Cherubim and Seraphim Christian tradition.
Oyedepo was raised for part of his childhood by his grandmother in Osogbo. Accounts from Winners’ Chapel describe his grandmother as an important influence on his Christian upbringing, particularly through prayer and teachings about Christian values.
His Christian faith became particularly significant during his teenage years. According to biographical accounts published by Winners’ Chapel, Oyedepo became a committed Christian in 1969, influenced by his teacher, Betty Lasher.
The experience eventually influenced the direction of his adult life.
Although he initially pursued a conventional professional education, his interest in Christianity continued to develop. He eventually became increasingly involved in ministry and began preparing for a life devoted to preaching.
His early years are therefore important to understanding how an individual from a relatively ordinary Nigerian background eventually established one of the country’s most recognizable Christian organizations.
Education
David Oyedepo studied Architecture at Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin. His architectural training provided him with a professional qualification before he moved fully into Christian ministry.
After completing his studies, he reportedly worked briefly with the Federal Ministry of Housing in Ilorin before deciding to concentrate on missionary work.
Oyedepo is also widely described as holding a PhD in Human Development from Honolulu University in Hawaii, United States. This qualification is mentioned in biographies published by Winners’ Chapel organizations and other biographical records.
His educational journey is notable because his later career extended beyond preaching.
Through his ministry, he became involved in the establishment and development of educational institutions. This eventually led to the creation of Covenant University and Landmark University, institutions associated with the Living Faith Church organization.
The Word of Faith Bible Institute also became an important part of his educational vision. The institute was officially established on September 1, 1986, with the stated purpose of training and raising men and women for Christian ministry and leadership.
Career / Professional Journey
Bishop Oyedepo’s professional career is primarily associated with Christian ministry.
A major turning point came in May 1981, when he said he received a divine mandate during an extended vision. The mandate centered on liberating people from oppression through the preaching of the word of faith. This became the foundation of the ministry that later developed into Living Faith Church Worldwide.
The ministry initially operated under the name Liberation Faith Hour Ministries before developing into the organization now known as Living Faith Church Worldwide.
Oyedepo began building the ministry through preaching, prayer meetings and evangelistic activities. As the congregation grew, the organization expanded into a structured church network.
One of the major developments in the ministry’s history was the establishment of the Word of Faith Bible Institute in 1986. The institute was created as a training arm of Living Faith Church and has since provided spiritual and leadership training through different levels of study.
Another major milestone was the establishment of Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State.
The enormous church auditorium became the headquarters of the Living Faith Church organization and a major landmark in Nigerian Pentecostal Christianity.
Oyedepo later became associated with an expanding network of churches around Nigeria and internationally.
Living Faith Church and Winners’ Chapel
Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly called Winners’ Chapel, is the organization most closely associated with Bishop Oyedepo.
The church’s headquarters are located at Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State, where Faith Tabernacle serves as the principal worship center.
The church’s mission is heavily focused on preaching the Christian message of faith, spiritual liberation and personal transformation.
Over the decades, the organization has developed several arms beyond conventional church services.
These include:
- Living Faith Church Worldwide
- World Mission Agency
- Dominion Publishing House
- Word of Faith Bible Institute
- Covenant University
- Landmark University
- Social development projects and related institutions
The wider organization is commonly grouped under David Oyedepo Ministries International, or DOMI.
The scale of the organization has made Oyedepo a significant figure in African Pentecostal Christianity.
Books and Publishing
Bishop Oyedepo is also a prolific Christian author.
His ministry established Dominion Publishing House, which publishes Christian, inspirational and motivational materials. The publishing arm was commissioned in 1992 and has produced numerous books, magazines and other resources associated with Oyedepo’s teachings.
Some of his widely known books include titles such as Understanding Financial Prosperity, Exploring the Secrets of Success, Walking in the Newness of Life, The Winning Wisdom and other works focused on faith, spiritual development, prosperity and Christian living.
His books have contributed significantly to the spread of his teachings beyond physical church services.
His sermons and messages are also distributed through digital platforms, recordings and international church networks.
Educational Institutions
Education became an important part of Oyedepo’s broader career.
Covenant University, located in Ota, Ogun State, was established by the Living Faith Church organization and became one of Nigeria’s prominent private universities.
Oyedepo has served as its chancellor.
The ministry also established Landmark University in Omu-Aran, Kwara State.
These institutions reflect Oyedepo’s interest in combining academic education with a Christian worldview.
The Word of Faith Bible Institute serves a different purpose by concentrating on biblical and leadership training. Its official materials describe three main levels: Basic Certificate Course, Leadership Certificate Course and Leadership Diploma Course.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
The exact Bishop David Oyedepo net worth is not publicly disclosed through an audited personal financial statement.
Various websites and publications have published estimates over the years. One frequently circulated figure is approximately $150 million, but this should be regarded as an unverified estimate rather than an established fact.
At an illustrative exchange rate of ₦1,500 to $1, $150 million would equal approximately ₦225 billion. However, the actual naira equivalent changes with the exchange rate, and neither figure should be interpreted as a confirmed valuation of Oyedepo’s personal assets.
His financial interests and sources of income are often discussed in connection with his long career in ministry, publishing, education and other organizational activities.
Potential sources associated with his public career include:
- Book royalties and publishing
- Speaking and ministry activities
- Educational institutions
- Business interests
- Investments
- Intellectual property
- Other ministry-related ventures
It is important to distinguish the assets and revenues of church or educational organizations from Oyedepo’s personal wealth.
The fact that an institution associated with him owns substantial property does not automatically mean that those assets belong personally to him.
For this reason, a precise figure for his net worth cannot responsibly be presented as confirmed.
Personal Life
Bishop David Oyedepo married Faith Abiola Oyedepo, formerly Florence Abiola Akano, in 1982. The couple have remained together for more than four decades.
Faith Oyedepo is herself a pastor, author and educationist and has played a significant role in the Living Faith Church organization.
The couple have four children: two sons and two daughters. Their children are David Oyedepo Jr., Isaac Oyedepo, Love Oyedepo and Joyce Oyedepo.
Both David Jr. and Isaac have been involved in Christian ministry, continuing the family’s connection with the church.
His daughters have also built their own families.
The Oyedepo family has therefore become closely associated with the wider Living Faith Church movement.
Despite his public profile, Oyedepo generally presents his family life alongside his ministry rather than making private family matters the central focus of his public career.
Family
David Oyedepo’s parents were Ibrahim Oyedepo and Dorcas Morenike Oyedepo. His parents’ different religious backgrounds exposed him to a diverse spiritual environment during childhood.
His grandmother also played an important role in his upbringing, particularly in encouraging Christian devotion.
Today, his immediate family includes his wife, Faith, and their four children.
His sons, particularly David Oyedepo Jr., have taken visible roles in the Living Faith Church ministry.
This has made the Oyedepo family an important part of the continuing story of the organization.
Conclusion
Bishop David Oyedepo’s biography is the story of a Nigerian preacher whose religious calling developed into a large international ministry and a wider network of educational and publishing institutions.
Born on September 27, 1954, in Osogbo and associated with Omu-Aran in Kwara State, he grew up in a religiously mixed family and became committed to Christianity as a teenager.
He studied Architecture at Kwara State Polytechnic and worked briefly with the Federal Ministry of Housing before dedicating himself to ministry. His reported 1981 spiritual mandate became the foundation for what would eventually become Living Faith Church Worldwide.
Over the following decades, Oyedepo developed Winners’ Chapel into an international church network while also establishing organizations involved in publishing, theological training and higher education.
His work through Covenant University, Landmark University, Dominion Publishing House and the Word of Faith Bible Institute demonstrates that his career has extended well beyond preaching.
He has also authored numerous Christian books and built a substantial international audience through sermons and teaching.
In his personal life, Oyedepo has been married to Faith Oyedepo since 1982, and they have four children.
His exact net worth remains undisclosed, despite numerous estimates appearing online. What is more clearly documented is the scale of the ministry, institutions and publishing activities that have developed around his career.
From a young man raised in Osogbo to the founder of one of Africa’s most recognizable Pentecostal ministries, Bishop David Oyedepo’s life remains closely connected with his message of faith, discipline, education and spiritual leadership.
FAQs About Bishop David Oyedepo
What is Bishop David Oyedepo’s real name?
His full name is David Olaniyi Oyedepo. He is popularly known as Bishop David Oyedepo or simply Bishop Oyedepo.
How old is Bishop David Oyedepo?
Bishop David Oyedepo was born on September 27, 1954. He is 72 years old as of October 2026.
Where is Bishop David Oyedepo from?
He was born in Osogbo, in present-day Osun State, Nigeria, while his family is associated with Omu-Aran in Kwara State. He is therefore commonly identified with Kwara State as his state of origin.
What is Bishop David Oyedepo’s educational background?
Oyedepo studied Architecture at Kwara State Polytechnic and later worked with the Federal Ministry of Housing. He is also widely reported as holding a PhD in Human Development from Honolulu University in Hawaii.
Is Bishop David Oyedepo married?
Yes. Bishop Oyedepo has been married to Faith Abiola Oyedepo since 1982. Faith is also a pastor, author and educationist.
Who is Bishop David Oyedepo’s wife?
His wife is Pastor Faith Abiola Oyedepo, formerly Florence Abiola Akano. She has worked alongside her husband in ministry and has written books on Christian family life, marriage and personal development.
How many children does Bishop David Oyedepo have?
Bishop Oyedepo and his wife have four children: David Oyedepo Jr., Isaac Oyedepo, Love Oyedepo and Joyce Oyedepo.
What is Bishop David Oyedepo’s net worth?
His exact net worth has not been officially disclosed. A figure of approximately $150 million is frequently circulated online, but it is an estimate and should not be treated as independently verified personal wealth.
How did Bishop David Oyedepo become famous?
He became prominent through his Christian ministry and the growth of Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners’ Chapel. His preaching, books, television ministry and expansion of the church into an international network greatly increased his public profile.
When did Bishop Oyedepo start Winners’ Chapel?
The ministry that developed into Living Faith Church Worldwide began in the early 1980s following the mandate Oyedepo said he received in 1981. The organization subsequently expanded into the international Winners’ Chapel network.
What is Faith Tabernacle?
Faith Tabernacle is the principal worship center of Living Faith Church Worldwide in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. It is closely associated with Bishop Oyedepo and serves as the headquarters of the Winners’ Chapel network.
What is the Word of Faith Bible Institute?
The Word of Faith Bible Institute (WOFBI) is the training arm of Living Faith Church Worldwide. It was established on September 1, 1986, and offers structured spiritual and leadership training through certificate and diploma programmes.
What universities are associated with Bishop David Oyedepo?
Bishop Oyedepo is associated with Covenant University and Landmark University, both established within the wider Living Faith Church organization. He has served as chancellor of the institutions.
What books has Bishop David Oyedepo written?
Bishop Oyedepo has written numerous Christian and motivational books covering subjects such as faith, prosperity, leadership, spiritual growth and Christian living. His ministry’s Dominion Publishing House has published many of his works and other Christian materials.
What is Bishop David Oyedepo known for?
He is best known as the founder and presiding bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, the ministry behind Winners’ Chapel. He is also known for Christian preaching, authorship, publishing, church development and the establishment of educational institutions.