4 Nigerian Pastors Who Divorced Their Wives

4 Nigerian Pastors Who Divorced Their Wives.
Distance, vision differences often led to breakdowns.
Some pastors later remarried, others remained single.

As society evolves and cases of domestic violence continue to rise, divorce is gradually shedding its stigma, even among clergy.

Contents

1. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
2. Reverend Chris Okotie
3. Pastor Ituah Ighodalo
4. Prophet Joshua Iginla

FURTHER READING

While the church often encourages separation first, more people now view divorce as a necessary escape from abusive marriages, especially amid the alarming rates of femicide across Nigeria.

EDITOR’S PICKS

Marriage, a sacred union between man and woman, demands commitment and understanding. However, even men of God, despite their spiritual calling, are not immune to marital struggles. From personal differences to infidelity and external pressures, several high-profile pastors have seen their marriages collapse, leading to public debates and divided opinions among their followers.

Here are four notable Nigerian pastors who divorced their wives and the reasons behind their decisions:

1. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, founder of LoveWorld Ministry (Christ Embassy), married Anita Ebhodaghe on February 2, 1991. They met while studying at university and had two daughters, Sharon and Charlene.

In April 2014, Anita filed for divorce in London, citing adultery and unreasonable behavior. The divorce was finalized on February 8, 2016. Anita, who once led Christ Embassy’s UK branches, had not been seen at church events for a long time before the announcement, and her images were quietly removed from the ministry’s platforms.

Pastor Chris, who previously preached against divorce, later told his congregation that if a wife insists on ending a marriage, the husband is not to be blamed. He hinted that Anita no longer shared his vision for the church, which was a dealbreaker. Long-distance living arrangements, with Pastor Chris mostly in Nigeria and Anita based in the UK, were also believed to have strained their relationship. Neither has remarried.

2. Reverend Chris Okotie

Reverend Chris Okotie, founder of the Household of God Church International Ministries and a former pop singer, has had two marriages end in separation.

His first marriage to Tyna collapsed in 2001 after 15 years, with no children. In 2008, he married Stephanie Henshaw, a mother of three from previous marriages. Their wedding was a grand event, but by 2012, Okotie announced their separation during a Sunday service, citing irreconcilable differences.

He asked church members to respect their privacy, emphasizing that there was no chance of reconciliation. Despite public curiosity, no further details about the split were disclosed.

3. Pastor Ituah Ighodalo

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, founder of Trinity House, was previously married to Lucy-Ann Suinner, a union that ended controversially.

While serving as a pastor at Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Ighodalo’s marriage breakdown became a significant issue, eventually leading to his departure from the denomination. In 2007, he married Ibidunni Ighodalo, a former beauty queen and event planner, who sadly passed away in 2020.

His split from Lucy-Ann and subsequent remarriage sparked widespread debate within church circles, with questions about church doctrines on remarriage. However, Ituah continued his ministry, focusing on building Trinity House and his philanthropic endeavors.

4. Prophet Joshua Iginla

Prophet Joshua Iginla, leader of Champions Royal Assembly, shocked many in 2019 when he openly confessed during a church service that both he and his wife had been unfaithful.

He admitted that he fathered a child outside their marriage, while accusing his wife of doing the same. Iginla declared that the couple had agreed to part ways after attempts to salvage their relationship failed.

His public confession was seen as a rare moment of honesty among Nigerian clergy.