Top Nigerian Pastors You Never Knew Were Lawyers

The legal profession is one saddled with upholding truth and justice in every nation, it is widely known to be a noble profession. However, in Nigeria, many masses are of the opinion that lawyers are liars and some people would even dare say that lawyers cannot make heaven. Contrary to the opinion of many that lawyers are dishonest and people who are only concerned money, there have been many lawyers who have fought to uphold justice and demonstrate the nobility of the legal profession. In Nigeria today, not only do we have great lawyers upholding justice, we have Pastors who are lawyers. They show us that a Christian can be a professional and maintain a standard of godliness in any field including the field of law. Today, we will take a look at some of these Pastors, they are people who have either studied law or are actively practicing law.

1. Pastor Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie

Born in Delta State to Francis Idje and Celicia Okotie on the 16^th of June 1958, Pastor Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie is a Nigerian pastor, televangelist, singer and politician. He is the pastor of the Household of God Church International Ministries which he founded in 1987. Pastor Chris Okoyie started singing from his childhood days and was part of his school's musical club when he was in secondary school. He attended Edo College, Benin City. After his secondary education, he moved on to the University of Nigeria, Nssuka where he studied Law and graduated in 1984.

Pastor Chris Okotie attended the Grace Fellowship Bible School, Tulsa Oklahoma, after which he founded the Household  of God Church International Ministries. He is widely known for being very outspoken and passionate about seeing the emergence of a new Nigeria. He is a politician and has been in the political space since 2003. Pastor Chris Okotie joined the presidential race in 2003, 2007 and 2011 but did not emerge as President for the three times he contested.  He is also known for being very and  philanthropic. He is the organizer of the Grace Programme, an annual charity event hosted in tye Household of God Church International Ministries. The programme donates cash and material contributions to different charity organisations.

2. Pastor Tunde Bakare

Pastor Tunde Bakare is a Nigerian Pastor, Lawyer and Politician.  Born on the 11^th of November 1954, he attended All Saints Primary School, Kemata, Abeokuta after which he moved on to Lisabi Grammar School, Abeokuta. In 1980, Pastor Tunde Bakare graduated from the University of Lagos with a dgree in Law and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1981. After his compulsory National Youth Service Year, he practiced law with Gani Fawehinmi  Chambers, Rotimi Williams and Co, Burke and Co, Solicitors. He established his own law firm, Tunde Bakare and Co, in 1984.

Pastor Tunde Bakare was excelling well in the legal practice when he received a call to the ministry and founded the Citadel Global Community Church formerly known as  Later Rain Assembly in 1989 and he currently serves as the general overseer. He is married to Olayide Bakare, his wife of over thirty five years who also serves as the deputy overseer of the Church also and their marriage is blessed with five children.

The General overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church is known to be a very outspoken politician. He has many times publicly criticised the Nigerian government. In 2011, he was the running mate of President Muhammadu Buhari in the All Progressive Congress Party. Again in 2022, he participated in the primary election of the All Progressive Congress but did not emerge as the party's elected candidate. There is no doubt that Pastor Tunde Bakare is one of the most politically influential pastors in Nigeria.

Pastor Tunde Bakare oversees Global Apostolic Impact Network (GAIN) which is a network of churches, ministries, and kingdom businesses committed to advancing the kingdom of God on earth. In 1996, he was given a Doctor of Ministry degree by Indiana Christian University under the leadership of Dr. Lester Sumrall.

 

3. Prof Yemi Osinbanjo

Professor Oluyemi Osinbanjo is a Nigerian pastor and lawyer who is currently serving his second term as the Vice President of Nigeria. He  was born on the 8th of March 1957 and attended Corona Primary School, Lagos after which he moved on to Igbobi College, Yaba. During his secondary school education, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo received many awards and honours in recognition of his academic brilliance and outstanding performance. He bagged a degree in Law from the University of Lagos in 1978 and also graduated from the London School of Economics where he obatained a Master of Laws degree. Since 1981, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo has held different roles and has served meritoriously both in the academic circle and in the public service.

Pastor Yemi Osinbanjo is married to Dolapo Osinbanjo who is a granddaughter of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Their marriage is blessed with three children, two daughters; Damiloa and Koyinsola and a son, Fiyinfoluwa.

In 2014, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo was declared as the running mate of Muhammadu Buhari and on the 31^st of March 2015, Muhammadu Buhari was announced as the winner of the 2015 elections and Prof Yemi Osinbanjo became the Vice President elect. After his first term, in May 2019, Pastor Yemi Osinbanjo took the oath of office to begin his second term as the Vice President of Nigeria.

Pastor Yemi Osinbanjo is a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God under the leadership of Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and is the Pastor in charge of the Lagos Province 8 of  the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Read: I Almost Resigned as RCCG General Overseer - Pastor Adeboye

 

4. Pastor Godman Akinalabi

Born on the 28^th of December, Pastor Godman Akinalabi is the founder and lead pastor of the Elevation Church, Lagos. The Elevation Church was founded by Pastor Godman Akinalabi in 2010, the church is a non-denominational church with a God given mandate to make greatness common.

Pastor Godman Akinalabi hails from Oyo state. He attended Government College, Ibadan and moved on to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State where he bagged a degree in Mining and Mineral Engineering.  The erudite Pastor also moved on to obtain a masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos. Pastor Godman Akinalabi is married to Mrs Bolarinwa who is a teacher and minister of the gospel and they have two lovely children.

The Lead Pastor of the Elevation Church has been pastoring for over twenty years. He is a renowned and very sought after teacher, trainer, speaker, author and consultant who has taught and inspired people in different parts of the world.

5. Pastor Chris Segun Onayinka

Born on the 11^th of May, Pastor Chris Segun Onayinka is a Nigerian pastor, theologian, author and lawyer. He is the founder and senior pastor of Saints Community Church. He is a law graduate from the University of Ilorin, Kwara state.

The senior pastor of Saints Community Church is married to Lola Onayinka, his wife of over sixteen years who is also a pastor in Saints Community Church.  Their marriage is blessed with two lovely children.

Pastor Chris Segun Onayinka is a man given to the gospel of Christ and is very emphatic about the Word of God being taught in the right way. He is widely known for his didactic teaching of God's word with severe diligence and thoroughness. He has also authored many Christian literatures to the end that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of God's glory. His Church, Saints Community Church has a website, living word media which is popularly called a mobile bible school. Every year, Pastor Chris Onayinka through the Saints Community Church organizes three Christian meetings;  Charis Camp Meeting, Believers Convention and World Changers Conference which cuts across different denominations.

6. Pastor Idowu Iluyomade

Pastor Idowu Iloyomade is a Nigerian Pastor and lawyer. Born on the 4^th of May, 1960, he got a law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1981. The pastor who combines ministry with legal practice has interests in International Trade, Mergers and Acquisition, Energy Law, Commercial Law and many others.

Pastor Idowu Iloyomade is the Pastor in Charge of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David Parish which is one of the biggest parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria. He is also the Special Assistant to the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A Adeboye, on Christian Social Responsibility.

We are in the last days and every believer must understand that these are times to take the earth, every system,every sector and every nation with the Gospel. Believers must be bold to go into different disciplines and showcase godliness. This list is not an exhaustive one, but it is a pointer to the fact that believers can excel in any profession, whether law, business or politics and still uphold a standard of godliness. The instruction of Jesus remains go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Believers must go into every sector, system and nation to the end that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.