A Nigerian cleric, Isaac Omolehin, has stirred fresh debate within the religious community after declaring that Christianity in Nigeria lacks true spiritual fatherhood.
Speaking during a recent address, Omolehin questioned the widespread perception that prominent church leaders such as Enoch Adeboye and David Oyedepo serve as “fathers” of the Christian faith in the country.
According to him, the two figures—and others of similar influence—are primarily denominational leaders rather than unifying spiritual authorities overseeing the broader Christian body.
“Christianity in Nigeria has no fathers,” Omolehin stated, arguing that a true spiritual father should provide guidance and care for all believers, beyond denominational boundaries.
He criticized what he described as growing competition among church leaders, citing the race to build larger auditoriums and acquire more assets as evidence of misplaced priorities.
“A father would be someone who looks after us all, not just promoting denominational agendas and competing over who is building a one-mile auditorium while another tries to build two miles,” he said. “One has one aircraft, another wants three. The competition has no spiritual content.”
