Renowned Nigerian Pentecostal preacher and evangelist, Rev Uma Ukpai, is dead
Rev. Ukpai, founder and president of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, died on Monday, October 6, at the age of 80, but the family announced his passing a week later, Monday, October 13.
“A faithful soldier has been called to rest. Dedicating over six decades of his life to fiery evangelism, dynamic teaching of the Word, and prophetic demonstration of the power of God, he impacted millions of lives and transformed destinies within Nigeria and across the globe.
“He was a spiritual general known for evangelism, founding father of faith, loving husband, a devoted father, and mentor to many, and his life was a testament to God’s power and love.
“While we mourn his physical absence, we rejoice that he has finished his race and is now resting in eternal praise,” the family said in a statement.
Although he hailed from Ohafia, Abia State, South East Nigeria, he lived and worked as a cleric in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, South South Nigeria.
Rev Ukpai had an elaborate birthday ceremony on January 7 when he turned 80. He was born in 1945.
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, preached at the event. Adeboye, 83, said he drew strength from Uma when he (Adeboye) lost his son, Dare, some years ago.
Ukpai once lost two children in an accident while on his way to preach at a crusade.
During the birthday event, his followers gifted him N80 million.
In February this year, Ukpai, Adeboye, and other clerics preached at the 40th anniversary conference of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
During the conference held at the Glory Dome Headquarters of the Dunamis International Christian Centre, Abuja, both of them sat to preach.
Nigerian leader mourns
In his tribute, President Bola Tinubu described Ukpai as “an anointed crusader of the faith, filled with fire and ice for the gospel and restoring humanity to discipline, love, and good neighbourliness.”
The president noted that the deceased impacted his generation with his ministry.
“He was one of the leaders in the Lord’s army who brought the fervour of revival sweeping across Nigeria and parts of Africa in the 1980s. He was a firebrand.
“I recall his Greater Ibadan for Christ crusade in 1982 and the Greater Lagos for Christ crusade in 1985, two phenomenal events in proportion and impact,” he said while acknowledging Mr Ukpai’s humanitarian efforts through his charities, schools, and hospitals.
President Tinubu said the late cleric’s “mission was clearly to unite the Christian fold and different faiths and spread peace and harmony.
“He was a builder, building men and bridges linking different faiths, people, tongues, and tribes… He fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.”
The president commiserated with his family, especially his wife, Philomena, his children, and members of his ministry, and prayed that God should grant the late evangelist eternal rest.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, Rev Ukpai’s home state, said, “Our father in the Lord, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, has, to the joy of the Heavens and celebration of the Angels, gone to be with the Lord.
“He was the father of all, a soldier of Christ and a generational teacher who yielded himself to Christ and became a potent instrument for healing of the sick, salvation for lost souls, fulfilment of the scriptures and manifestation of the prophesies of God.
“His death is devastating because of the positive influence he wielded, the positive impacts he made, the lives he touched in very special ways, and above all, the vacuum his exit has created.”
Clerics mourn
Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Christian Centre (DIGC)
He shone as a beacon of faith and walked as a true ambassador of Christ.
Every breath, every word, and every act reflected the Christ he loved.
Papa Uma Ukpai, you lived your message.
You mentored generations, raised giants in the faith, and left indelible footprints on the sands of time.
How can we measure your impact?
Your life was a ministry, pure, passionate, and purposeful.
Your passion for souls was palpable. I remember you going with me all the way to Otukpo in Benue State for a crusade in 2014.
And when we last met at your home in Uyo in February 2025, you still asked me when next we would go on a crusade together. I can never forget the other words you spoke to me that day.
My wife and I, alongside our family and the Dunamis family, celebrate you.
Heaven has gained a faithful soldier, and we on earth will continue to carry the flame you lit.
Rev Biodun Fatoyinbo, Founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA)
“I just heard a General in the faith returned home – Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai.
His influence shaped my life, COZA Global, and countless others in the faith community.
I’m certain heaven is holding an extra stud in his crown on my behalf and more for his service to all.”
Poju Oyemade, founder of The Covenant Nations
The Body of Christ in this country has lost one of her generals who had great foresight. Right from my days at Unilag in the 80s, the name Rev Dr. Uma Ukpai was continuously mentioned as one mightily used of God.
We thank God for his life and rejoice in the fact that he is in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ, having faithfully served in His Vineyard.
Rev Isaac Omolehin – Founder and President of Word Assembly Ministries
I Visited Dr. Uma Ukpa
I visited a very good friend of mine, Rev’d Doc. Uma Ukpai, some of you must have heard about him. While we were discussing, he told me a story of a certain village in Ebonyi State.
The white missionaries that were sent there many years ago were driven away by the villagers. The last missionary that came to evangelise to them, they drove him, and he refused to go. Then they said to him ‘‘Okay, we’ll k!ll you”. When they took him to k!ll him, he agreed to leave the village, but they refused to let him go. He pleaded and begged them to let him travel to a nearby village, but they insisted on killing him. They took him outside the village, took sticks to break his skull, the missionary lifted up his hand and said these exact words to them.
“I have used the name of Jesus to beg you to allow me to leave, but you’ve refused. If you people k!ll me, nobody in this village will rise above the level of a labourer; there’s nothing you’ll do to go above the level of a labourer.”
And for many years in that village, if you like, study all you could, read all you wished, when you graduate, you’ll go to either Abuja or Lagos and use your certificate and expertise as a gateman. Those people from that village struggled for years without seeing the results of their labours.
They came to this, my evangelist friend, Dr. Uma Ukpai, and told him exactly what happened between their forefathers and the missionary, and Dr. Uma went there.
Uma Ukpai went there and gathered all of them at their village Square. Their king stood up and said, “This is what we inherited — we’re paying a debt we did not owe, our fathers put us in this.”
Dr. Uma prayed, removed his shoes, and knelt down and prayed. He asked God to overlook and have mercy upon them. He pleaded the blood of Jesus over the village and left.
He told me that it wasn’t long before they invited him to that village for thanksgiving and celebration. The veil covering them was broken, and good things started happening. That village produced the Governor of that State, 5 commissioners also came from that village, and so much wonderful news. It was as if they were getting arrears of their benefits.
The Bible says that the years that the locust and caterpillars have eaten, God will restore, and I pray for you, may God in His mercy restore those years back to you in double fold in the name of Jesus!
