Death is an unavoidable part of life, and even the strongest are not immune to its pain. These Nigerian pastors faced immense grief after losing their wives but showed remarkable resilience by continuing their ministries.
While some pastors found love again and remarried, others chose to remain single, fully dedicating themselves to their faith. Let’s explore eight Nigerian pastors who endured the painful loss of their wives and how they navigated life afterward.
1. Pastor Taiwo Odukoya
Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, the late founder of The Fountain of Life Church, suffered the tragic loss of two wives.
His first wife, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya, was a renowned televangelist and relationship coach. She tragically died on December 10, 2005, in the Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145 crash in Port Harcourt. She was widely known for her teachings on relationships and singlehood, inspiring countless young Nigerians.
After five years, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya remarried Pastor Nomthi Odukoya, a South African. Their marriage lasted 11 years, and they had two children together. Sadly, Nomthi battled cancer for two years before passing away in November 2021.
On August 7, 2023, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya himself passed away at the age of 67 in the United States. While the church did not disclose the cause of his death, reports suggest his health struggles were linked to the tragic losses of his first and second wives.
2. Pastor Ituah Ighodalo
Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, the senior pastor of Trinity House Church, lost his beloved wife, Ibidunni Ighodalo, on June 14, 2020.
Ibidunni, a former beauty queen and founder of Elizabeth R Events, died of sudden cardiac arrest while in Port Harcourt. She was well-known for her philanthropy, especially through the Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation, which helped couples struggling with infertility.
Her sudden passing shocked many, especially since she was actively working on COVID-19 isolation center projects at the time. She was just 39 years old and had planned to celebrate her 40th birthday by sponsoring 40 couples’ fertility treatments.
3. Pastor W.F. Kumuyi
Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, the founder of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, lost his wife, Abiodun Kumuyi, on April 11, 2009.
She was among the first 15 members of Deeper Life when it started as a Bible study group in 1973. The couple married in 1980 and had two children together.
After mourning for 18 months, Pastor Kumuyi remarried Esther Folashade Aduke Blaize in October 2010.
4. Pastor Anselm Madubuko
Pastor Anselm Madubuko, the General Overseer of Revival Assembly Church, lost his wife, Pastor Connie Madubuko, in July 2012.
Her sudden passing was attributed to a heart attack. The couple had been married for 28 years before her death.
A year later, Pastor Madubuko remarried Kenyan gospel singer Emmy Kosgei on August 31, 2013.
5. Prophet Samuel Abiara
Prophet Samuel Abiara, the retired General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Agbala Itura, lost his wife, Christiana Abiara, in September 2016.
The couple had been married since 1965, and she passed away at 70 years old. In March 2018, two years later, Prophet Abiara remarried Miss Ojewande, a younger bride.
6. Pastor Lazarus Muoka
Pastor Lazarus Muoka, the General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement, has experienced the loss of two wives.
His first wife passed away in 2010, and tragedy struck again in 2024 when he lost his second wife, Pastor Joy Muoka, at the age of 61.
7. Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, founder of Word of Life Bible Church and former president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), lost his first wife, Stella Oritsejafor, to diabetes in March 1996.
Following her passing, he remarried Helen Oritsejafor in April 1997, and their union was blessed with triplets: Ayodele, Ayodeji, and Ayodeta Helen.
8. Pastor David Adeoye
Pastor David Adeoye, founder of Royalty Christian Centre, lost his wife, Folake Adeoye, after a brief illness.
His decision to remarry stirred controversy, as he chose Sumbo Ajaba, a single mother of two who had children with Nigerian music icon 2Baba (2Face Idibia).
Many criticized his decision, but Pastor Adeoye stood by it, emphasizing that her past did not define her future. He revealed:
“I was 40 when she died, and we had been married for 13 years without a child. My family and mentors encouraged me to remarry. Initially, I planned to adopt two children, but as the number of female worshippers in the church increased, I realized I needed a wife.
However, dating Sumbo brought even more criticism. People warned me that marrying her would destroy the church, and some members even left. But I was convinced she was my wife, and we pushed through the challenges.”
The couple overcame the backlash, and today, their church is thriving.
These Nigerian pastors endured unimaginable loss, yet they found ways to move forward, whether through remarriage or deepening their commitment to their faith.
Would you have remarried if you were in their shoes? Share your thoughts in the comments!