Enoch Adeboye is a well-known Nigerian pastor who achieved national and eventually international prominence following his appointment as General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). He began his journey to fame, previously unknown to the general public, at RCCG, where he initially translated the sermons of the church’s then-pastor and founder, Rev. Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi, from Yoruba to English. With his unwavering devotion to the Lord and his commitment to educating the common man about the nuances of Christianity, he contributed to the church’s expansion to over a hundred countries. Prior to joining the church, he worked as a mathematics lecturer at the universities of Lagos and Ilorin. While he had always been aware that God existed in heaven, it wasn’t until he was a young man that he came to understand the truth about God. In 1973, he received a revelation and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. Since then, he has devoted his entire life to God’s service. As a born-again Christian, he recognized that the purpose of his life was to spread Christianity’s teachings and eventually resigned from his prestigious university position to become a full-time preacher.
Childhood & Adolescence
He was born in the village of Ifewara, Osun State, Nigeria, on 2 March 1942. His parents were extremely impoverished, and he was one of four children. His father, an illiterate farmer, was opposed to educating any of his children. Indeed, the family was so impoverished that they were unable to pay the school fees.
Enoch, on the other hand, was adamant about receiving a formal education, and when his father refused to send him to school, he went on a hunger strike to persuade him.
His father eventually succumbed and sold his goat to cover his son’s school fees. As a result, Enoch was enrolled in the village’s sole missionary school.
Even though he began school late, he quickly discovered a passion for reading. In 1956, he enrolled at the Ilesha Grammar School in Ilesha, Osun State, Western Nigeria. This is where he developed an interest in science and mathematics.
He desired a higher education desperately, but the ongoing Nigerian Civil War and his family’s precarious financial situation threatened to derail his ambitions. Nonetheless, he pursued his dream with zeal and earned not only a Bachelors (BSc.) degree in Mathematics from the University of Nigeria, Nnsukka, Nigeria in 1967, but also a Masters (MSc.) degree in Hydrodynamics and a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Applied Mathematics from the University of Lagos, respectively, in 1969 and 1975.
Career of Enoch Adeboye
He had one great ambition as a young man—to become the youngest Vice Chancellor (University President) of any of Nigeria’s top universities. Given his stellar academic credentials, it appeared as though he would soon realize this dream.
He began his career as a mathematics lecturer at the universities of Lagos and Ilorin, and appeared to be on the verge of establishing a successful academic career.
By the early 1970s, he and his wife were having difficulty conceiving children. They had two children via caesarean section and had been advised by doctors not to have any more. However, the couple desired additional children and thus embarked on a spiritual quest to find a solution.
They joined the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in 1973, which was then led by Pastor Josiah Oluwafemi Akindayomi as General Superintendent. On 29 July 1973, he became a born-again Christian and resolved to devote his life to the service of religion.
He became a member of the church and began spreading the gospel. He was ordained a pastor in 1975.
At first, his role at the church was to translate Akindayomi’s sermons from Yoruba to English. He eventually began organizing Bible Study meetings, Crusades, Revivals, Outreaches, and the highly successful evangelistic programs known as the Congress.
Akindayomi, impressed by the young man’s commitment to religion, determined that Adeboye was the man destined to succeed him. In 1981, Akindayomi died, and Adeboye was appointed General Overseer of the church, following an instruction left by Akindayomi prior to his death.
As the church’s leader, he worked tirelessly to expand the organization’s reach; today, the church has branches in 110 countries worldwide, from Haiti to Germany, from India to the United Kingdom, and also in the United States. Pastor Adeboye is now regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential pastors.
Significant Works of Enoch Adeboye
As General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), he played a significant role in the organization’s rapid growth. The church, which was virtually unknown when he assumed leadership, now has branches in over a hundred countries worldwide, including over 14,000 in Nigeria.
Awards and Accomplishments
In 2008, the Nigerian President bestowed upon him the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He was named one of Newsweek Magazine’s ‘The World’s Fifty Most Powerful People’ in 2009. (USA).
He has received several honorary degrees, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Lagos and another from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
In 2010, he received the Spiritual Pillar of Nigerian Sports Award, a National Sports Honor.
Personal History and Legacies
He married Foluke Adenike Adeboye in 1968, when he was 25 years old. He was a recent graduate, and thus the couple’s marriage was quite simple. The couple encountered significant financial difficulties during their early years together, despite their intense love. His wife, too, is a minister.
He is the father of four children, all of whom later became pastors. Additionally, he is the proud grandfather of several grandchildren.
Estimated Net Worth
Enoch is one of the wealthiest Religious Leaders and is included on the list of the most popular Religious Leaders. According to our analysis, Enoch Adeboye’s net worth is approximately $1.5 million, as reported by Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.