Rev. (Dr.) Uma Ukpai, one of Nigeria’s most influential evangelists and a towering figure of Pentecostal Christianity, passed away on October 6, 2025, at the age of 80. His family, in a statement on his Instagram page, released on October 10, described him as “a faithful soldier” who dedicated more than six decades to fiery evangelism, dynamic Bible teaching, and a prophetic ministry that touched millions. While they mourn his “physical absence,” they said, they rejoice that he “has finished his race and is now resting in eternal praise.” Funeral details, they added, will be announced in due course.
Often called a father of Pentecostalism in Nigeria, Ukpai founded the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association (UUEA) in the 1970s, building it into a non-denominational platform for nationwide crusades, healing outreaches, leadership training, and humanitarian initiatives. Headquartered in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the ministry became a spiritual hub—famously hosting midweek services that drew crowds of worshipers and seekers from across the region. Over five decades, Ukpai’s evangelistic campaigns—marked by bold preaching, compelling altar calls, and testimonies of healing—became fixtures on Nigeria’s Christian calendar. His annual “Uma Ukpai Miracle Convention” ranked among the country’s most anticipated Christian gatherings.
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| Dr. Uma Ukpai |
Born in Asaga, Ohafia LGA of Abia State in 1945, Ukpai often shared how early personal losses and hardship shaped his calling. Though trained in Engineering, he ultimately devoted his life to ministry, later receiving several honorary doctorates in theology and Christian leadership. He married Pastor Philomena Uma Ukpai, his long-time partner in ministry; together they raised a family and spearheaded charitable works that reflected his conviction that faith must be practical and compassionate. Through the UUEA’s social-impact arms, Ukpai founded the Uma Ukpai College of Theology and Management Studies and the Uma Ukpai Eye Centre in Uyo—institutions focused on raising Christian leaders and delivering free or subsidized eye care to the poor.
Ukpai’s message centered on faith, forgiveness, integrity, and national unity. During Nigeria’s turbulent political transitions, he consistently urged humility and servant leadership, earning him respect across denominational and ethnic lines. Many of today’s church leaders cite his mentorship and crusades as pivotal in their own spiritual journeys. Among global evangelists, he built partnerships that took his ministry to several African countries, Europe, and the United States, reinforcing his role as a bridge-builder within the wider body of Christ.
Tributes poured in following news of his passing. President Bola Tinubu hailed him as “a beacon of faith whose voice inspired millions and strengthened the nation’s moral fabric.” The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) praised him as “a unifying voice who stood for righteousness and truth,” with Archbishop Daniel Okoh noting that Ukpai’s ministry “touched lives across denominational lines.” In January 2025, during Ukpai’s 80th birthday in Uyo—where followers gifted him ₦80 million—Governor Umo Eno called him “God’s gift to Akwa Ibom State.” Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, who preached at the celebration, recalled drawing strength from Ukpai during the darkest moment of losing his son and described the evangelist as “extremely special” to him and the global Christian community.
Even as health challenges emerged in recent weeks, those close to the family say Ukpai’s transition was peaceful. The UUEA announced plans for a week-long celebration of life, beginning with a night of tributes in Uyo and culminating in a thanksgiving service in Asaga, Abia State. For countless Nigerians, Ukpai’s legacy lives in the lives he led to Christ, the protégés he nurtured, and the institutions he built. More than a preacher, he was a movement—a reminder that faith, when lived with sincerity and service, can heal communities and shape nations.
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