Bishop Abioye Celebrates Oyedepo at 72 After Leaving Winners Chapel, Sparks Reactions

Bishop David Abioye has publicly celebrated his former principal, Bishop David Oyedepo, as the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners Chapel, marked his 72nd birthday.

Abioye celebrated Oyedepo during a church service on Sunday, September 26, where he led members of his congregation in prayers for the renowned cleric.

The birthday gesture attracted attention because of Abioye’s history with Living Faith Church and his retirement from the ministry in October 2024.

During the service, Abioye prayed for Oyedepo to receive greater strength, wisdom and grace as he continues his Christian ministry.

The public celebration also drew reactions from people familiar with the long-standing relationship between the two clerics.

Abioye was one of the prominent bishops associated with Living Faith Church before his retirement. His departure from the organisation and the subsequent establishment of his own ministry generated considerable public interest, with some observers speculating about the state of his relationship with Oyedepo.

The latest birthday tribute has, however, provided another public indication that Abioye continues to hold Oyedepo in high regard.

Rather than ignoring the occasion, Abioye chose to acknowledge his former principal before his congregation and pray for him as he marked another year.

The development has been particularly significant because Abioye has continued to publicly honour Oyedepo on important occasions since leaving Winners Chapel.

In 2025, Abioye and his wife also celebrated Oyedepo’s 71st birthday with a message praising his faith, vision and leadership.

That earlier gesture had similarly attracted considerable attention online, with many people commenting on the continued relationship between the two men despite Abioye’s retirement from Living Faith Church.

Abioye’s departure from Winners Chapel in 2024 marked the end of a long chapter in his ministry.

Following his retirement, he established the Living Word Conquerors Global Assembly, also known as Conquerors Global Assembly, in Abuja.

The new ministry has since become the platform through which Abioye continues his pastoral and Christian work.

His continued recognition of Oyedepo’s birthday has therefore been interpreted by many observers as a sign of respect for the relationship that existed between the two clerics during their years together in ministry.

Social media users reacted to the latest celebration, with some praising Abioye for publicly honouring his former principal.

Others described the gesture as a demonstration of maturity and respect, particularly given the speculation that followed Abioye’s departure from Winners Chapel.

Some commentators also revisited Abioye’s previous birthday message to Oyedepo, noting that he had consistently acknowledged the older cleric even after leaving the ministry.

The reactions have also reignited conversations about mentorship within religious organisations and the relationships that can continue after senior ministers or protégés establish separate ministries.

Oyedepo founded Living Faith Church Worldwide and has built the organisation into an international Christian ministry with a significant presence in Nigeria and other countries.

His ministry has also expanded into education, publishing, humanitarian activities and other areas of social development.

Among the institutions associated with his ministry are Covenant University and Landmark University, both of which have become prominent private universities in Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also joined the numerous Nigerians celebrating Oyedepo’s 72nd birthday, praising his contributions to faith, education, leadership and human development.

The President highlighted Oyedepo’s emphasis on values such as integrity, discipline, diligence, responsibility and excellence.

He also pointed to the cleric’s involvement in education and humanitarian activities as part of his wider contribution to Nigerian society.

Oyedepo’s 72nd birthday has therefore attracted attention beyond the walls of his church, with political figures, religious leaders, members of his congregation and admirers acknowledging the occasion.

For Abioye, however, the celebration carried an additional significance because of their shared history.

Before his retirement, Abioye occupied a prominent position within Living Faith Church and was widely regarded as one of the influential ministers associated with Oyedepo’s ministry.

His departure in 2024 was followed by the launch of his independent ministry, creating a new chapter in his religious career.

Despite the transition, Abioye has continued to speak respectfully about Oyedepo on public occasions.

The latest prayer reinforces that pattern.

It also provides a contrast to some of the speculation that circulated online after Abioye’s retirement.

There has been public curiosity over whether his departure from Winners Chapel was accompanied by any disagreement with Oyedepo.

However, the birthday celebration itself does not establish the full nature of their private relationship, and neither man’s public birthday gestures can independently settle every question surrounding the circumstances of Abioye’s retirement.

What is publicly clear is that Abioye continues to recognise Oyedepo as an important figure in his ministry journey and has chosen to honour him publicly on his birthday.

The gesture has also been welcomed by those who believe relationships between religious leaders should remain respectful even when their ministries eventually take different directions.

For many of the people reacting online, the most notable aspect of the celebration was the fact that Abioye did not allow his separation from Winners Chapel to prevent him from celebrating Oyedepo.

His prayer focused on strength, wisdom and divine grace, reflecting the language commonly used by Christian leaders when honouring senior ministers.

The development has also reminded followers of the years of collaboration between the two bishops and the role Abioye played within the Living Faith ministry before his retirement.

As both men continue their respective ministries, their public interactions are likely to remain of interest to members of the Nigerian Christian community.

Oyedepo’s 72nd birthday has provided another occasion for that relationship to come into public focus.

Abioye’s decision to celebrate him has generated largely positive reactions online, while also prompting renewed discussion about his departure from Winners Chapel and the speculation that followed it.

For now, the public gesture is centred on respect and birthday prayers, with Abioye joining others in wishing Oyedepo continued strength and grace for the years ahead.

The celebration also highlights how religious mentorship and long-standing personal relationships can continue even after ministers move into separate organisational structures.

As Oyedepo begins another year of his life and ministry, and Abioye continues building his own congregation, the birthday message has offered followers a glimpse of the enduring respect between two prominent figures whose ministry journeys were closely connected for decades.