Biography of Bishop Thomas Olayiwola Aremu

 

Bishop Thomas Olayiwola Aremu was born on the 18th of March, 1957, in Oyo town, Oyo State. He is a Nigerian clergyman and chartered accountant who served as Vice President (Mission Inspectorate) of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners Chapel) under Bishop Dr. David Oyedepo. He pioneered Living Faith Church, Ibadan, growing it to 10,000 members in four years, and was one of the church's original seven bishops consecrated in November 1999. He officially retired in October 2024 at age 67 but has continued appearing at major church events, including Shiloh 2025.

Early Life and Education

Growing up, Bishop Thomas Olayiwola Aremu attended primary school between 1963 and 1969, followed by secondary education from 1970 to 1973. Between 1973 and 1976, before pursuing higher education, he worked as a typist, accounts clerk, and college bursar at Notre Dame Girls Secondary School in Oro, Kwara State.

He went on to study at the Catholic Technical College, Ile-Ife, and The Polytechnic, Ibadan, between 1976 and 1982, graduating with distinction in Accounting and a Higher National Diploma (Upper Credit) in Accountancy. In 1990, he earned a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), affiliated with the University of Lagos. He later trained under the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in November 1984.

Career Before Ministry

Before answering the call to full-time ministry, Bishop Aremu built a career as an accountant, applying the discipline and structure of his professional training to church administration once he transitioned into pastoral work - a background several profiles note as unusual among his ministry peers.

Read: Biography of Bishop Taiwo Adelakun Victor

Joining Living Faith Church Worldwide

Bishop Aremu was among the eight foundational members of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners Chapel) when it was established in 1983 under Bishop David Oyedepo. He began active pastoral service in 1984 and was formally enlisted as a Full-Time Pastor of the church in May 1994.

He was consecrated a Bishop in November/December 1999 at the Garden of Faith, Kaduna, becoming one of the church's original seven bishops.

Rise Through Ministry Leadership

As pioneer pastor of Living Faith Church, Ibadan, Bishop Aremu grew the congregation to 10,000 members within four years - a milestone frequently cited as one of the fastest growth stories in the church's regional history. He subsequently served as Senior Pastor and Regional Overseer across several Living Faith Church branches, including Ilorin, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Johannesburg (South Africa), and Accra (Ghana).

His administrative roles within the ministry included:

• Vice President, Church Network (2001–2003)
• Vice President, Africa Mission (Unknown)
• Vice President, Foreign Mission (2010–2012)
• Vice President, Mission Inspectorate (Final designation before retirement)

He eventually rose to become one of the most senior figures beneath Bishop Dr. David Oyedepo, alongside Bishop David Abioye, as the church's mission-focused leadership structure expanded internationally.

Read: Biography of Apostle Michael Orokpo

Retirement from Winners Chapel

In October 2024, Living Faith Church announced the retirement of both Bishop Thomas Aremu and Bishop David Abioye, in line with the church's operational guidelines under its Liberation Commission constitution, which sets a mandatory retirement age for ministers. Bishop Aremu, then 67, held his valedictory service on October 15, 2024, at Living Faith Church, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan, attended by Bishop David Oyedepo, his wife Faith Oyedepo, Bishop David Abioye, and representatives of the Oyo State Government.

At the service, Bishop Aremu stated firmly that he had no plans to start his own church, telling the congregation that Winners Chapel would remain "his church" for life, and that he intended to continue supporting the ministry's teachings, document the lessons of his decades in service, and focus on charitable work supporting widows, orphans, and the fatherless.

Ministers who reach retirement age at Winners Chapel may continue serving under the church's Elongated Service Scheme, a provision that, as of 2024, included roughly 33 clerics who remained active past their formal retirement.

Read: Biography of Pastor Philip Olubakin

Life After Retirement: Shiloh 2025 and Beyond

Contrary to expectations that his public ministry role would quietly end, Bishop Aremu has remained visible within the Winners Chapel community. In December 2025, he made a widely discussed appearance at Shiloh 2025, the church's flagship annual convention at Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, where he led a prayer session and delivered a sermon to strong ovation from members, many of whom had not seen him at a major church event since his retirement.

Reflecting on his continued involvement, Bishop Aremu later told an audience at a revival meeting in Canada that he had "never really retired" from Winners Chapel, describing himself as a lifelong partaker in the Winners family and a former resident pastor still committed to serving. When asked whether he would appear at Shiloh 2026, he responded that he would attend "if God wants," rather than making a firm commitment.

Personal and Family Life

Bishop Aremu is happily married to his heartthrob, Pastor (Mrs.) Elizabeth Moradeyo Aremu. The couple have four children - Faith, Love, Thomas Jnr., and Emmanuel - and seven grandchildren.

Bishop Thomas Aremu is active on Social Media. You can connect with him via his official handles on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (Twitter) accounts.