Nigeria has produced a striking number of pastors with full, formal legal training, including Pastor Tunde Bakare, former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Pastor Chris Okotie, and twin gospel ministers Apostle Lawrence and Pastor Godswill Oyor of Davidic Generation Church - amongst others. Several never practiced; while others were not only formally called to the Nigerian Bar, but actively practiced Law before entering full-time ministry.
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 people are of the opinion that lawyers are liars. Some 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.
Why So Many Nigerian Pastors Have Law Degrees
Law has long been one of Nigeria's most prestigious academic paths, and for a generation of young Nigerians raised in devoutly Christian homes, a law degree was often the "safe" family choice before a divine call redirected them toward the pulpit. What follows isn't just a list - it's ten stories of men who each stood, at some point, between a wig and gown and a Bible.
1. Pastor Tunde Bakare
Born on 11 November 1954, Tunde Bakare passed through All Saints Primary School and Lisabi Grammar School, Abeokuta, before earning his law degree from the **University of Lagos in 1980 and being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. After his NYSC, he trained under some of Nigeria's most formidable litigators - Gani Fawehinmi's Chambers, Rotimi Williams & Co., and Burke & Co. Solicitors, before opening his own firm, Tunde Bakare & Co., in 1984. It was at the height of that legal career, while cross-examining witnesses and building a reputation as a fearless advocate, that Pastor Tunde Bakare received his call to ministry. In 1989 he founded what became Citadel Global Community Church, carrying courtroom conviction straight into the pulpit - a trait that later made him one of Nigeria's most outspoken political pastors, twice a presidential and vice-presidential aspirant.
2. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN
Born 8 March 1957, Osinbajo studied law at the University of Lagos (1978) before earning a Master of Laws at the London School of Economics. Long before Aso Rock, he was a law lecturer, Lagos State Attorney-General, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, one of the highest honours in Nigerian legal practice. He is also a licensed pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, serving as Pastor in Charge of Lagos Province 8 under General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye. His story is unusual among this list: rather than leaving law for ministry, Osinbajo carried both simultaneously, using his legal training to shape policy at the highest level of Nigerian government while remaining active in pastoral duties.
3. Pastor Chris Okotie
Born on 16th June 1958 in Delta State, Pastor Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie attended Edo College, Benin City, before studying law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, graduating in 1984. His legal training never led to bar practice; instead, he pursued the Grace Fellowship Bible School, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and founded the Household of God Church International Ministries in 1987. Pastor Okotie's legal-analytical background surfaced later in his three presidential runs (2003, 2007, 2011), where his campaign rhetoric often leaned on constitutional and rights-based arguments rarely heard from the pulpit.
5. Pastor Chris Segun Onayinka
Born on 11th May, Chris Segun Onayinka is a law graduate of the **University of Ilorin**, Kwara State. He is the founder of **Saints Community Church** and its "mobile Bible school," Living Word Media. Colleagues describe his teaching style — methodical, precedent-based, painstakingly thorough — as unmistakably shaped by legal training, even though he moved into full-time gospel teaching rather than courtroom advocacy. He organizes three major annual gatherings: Charis Camp Meeting, Believers Convention, and World Changers Conference.
6. Pastor Idowu Olusola Iluyomade
Born on 4th May 1960, Idowu Iluyomade earned his law degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University in 1981, developing specialist interest in International Trade, Mergers & Acquisitions, Energy Law, and Commercial Law. Until his departure from the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Iluyomade was the Pastor in Charge of RCCG's City of David Parish, one of the denomination's largest parishes, and served as Special Assistant to General Overseer Pastor E.A. Adeboye on Christian Social Responsibility. a role that leaned directly on his commercial and regulatory law background when structuring the church's welfare and CSR initiatives. Today, he is the founder and Senior Pastor of You can read the full biography of Pastor Idowu Olusola Iluyomade here.
7. Pastor Philip Olubakin
Born 15 December, Pastor Oladelemi Philip Olubakin studied law at the Obafemi Awolowo University before proceeding to the **Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus**. Trained as a lawyer and gifted as a pianist and songwriter, he began his Christian journey in a Baptist background and served as a choir member before founding the Supernatural Life Church (SLC)** in March 2019 with just seven members, including his wife. Today SLC is a global ministry headquartered in Abuja. Olubakin is married to his heartthrob, Pastor Funmi Olubakin**, and together they lead the church and its "28 Days with the Holy Spirit" and "Wind of the Spirit" gatherings. You can read the full Biography of Pastor Philip Olubakin here.
8. Pastor Segun Odeyemi
Born 11 February, Segun Odeyemi studied Law (LLB) at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, then proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Bagauda, Kano State, where he was formally called to the Nigerian Bar. Rather than entering litigation, he became a prophet, teacher, and Lead Pastor of the Universal Christian Centre (UCC), and founded **Segun Odeyemi Ministries International (SOMI). He is happily married to his heartthrob, Pastor Joy Segun-Odeyemi, and the couple has two daughters. You can read the full biography of Pastor Segun Odeyemi here.
9. Pastor Lawrence Oyor
Born 16 June 1991 in Ibadan to a family of pastors, Lawrence Gomba Oyor gained admission to study law at the **University of Ibadan in 2008**, graduating in 2013, then proceeded to the *Nigerian Law School, Yola Campus*. But it was during a six-week, twelve-hour-a-day prayer movement at UI in 2011 (while still a law undergraduate) that his trajectory shifted permanently toward worship and prophetic ministry. He never practiced law, choosing instead to enrol at the Texas Bible Institute and co-found the global **Davidic Minstrels** movement with his twin brother. He is now Senior Pastor of **Davidic Generation Church**, known for chants like "Bowl of Fire," and is married to Darasimi Oyor (née Mike-Bamiloye), daughter of gospel filmmaker Evangelist Mike Bamiloye.
10. Pastor Godswill Oyor
Lawrence's twin brother, Godswill Oyor, was formally called to the Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2015**. While at the University of Ibadan, he served as President of the Christian Law Students' Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), effectively leading Christian legal advocacy on campus before he ever stepped into a courtroom. He now serves as Pastor of Davidic Generation Church, Lagos, and is also the founder of the League of Kingdompreneurs, a mentorship platform with a stated goal of raising 1,000 Kingdom billionaires by 2030. He is happily married to his heartthrob, Pastor Toju Oyor - herself a practicing lawyer.
This list is not exhaustive as Nigeria has other pastors with legal training not covered here. While we try to update the list from time to time, if you know of one who should be featured, kindly send us a message here.
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1. Pastor Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie
Born in Delta State to Francis Idje and Celicia Okotie on the 16th 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.
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 31st 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.
Born on the 11th 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 4th 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.
7. Pastor Philip Olubakin
Pastor Philip is the Founder and Senior Pastor
Conclusion
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.
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