Benson Idahosa (11 September 1938 – 12 March 1998), was a Charismatic Pentecostal preacher. He is the founder of Church of God Mission International was popularly referred to as the father of Pentecostalism in Nigeria.
Idahosa was the founder of Benson Idahosa University (BIU) in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. His only son, Bishop F.E.B. Idahosa, is now the president of BIU, founder and president of Big Ben’s Children Hospital, vice-president of All Nations for Christ Bible Institute International, among other positions.
In October 1968, Idahosa officially inaugurated the Church of God Mission International, which had started out previously, as a “small prayer group”.A claim made by Idahosa that he had raised eight people from the dead was dropped when challenged by the Advertising Standards Authority, who sought evidence that the individuals concerned had in fact been dead.
Idahosa died on 12 March 1998. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Idahosa and four children. His wife subsequently took over as the Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International (CGMI), the Christian ministry he founded, she is also the Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University.
