The Christian community in Nigeria and beyond is mourning the passing of Reverend Dr. Uma Ukpai, a globally respected evangelist and pioneer of the Pentecostal movement in Africa. He died on Monday at the age of 80 after a lifetime of ministry spanning over five decades.
Born in Asaga, Ohafia in Abia State on January 7, 1945, Reverend Ukpai’s early years were marked by hardship and resilience. Losing his father at a tender age, he was raised by his widowed mother, an experience he often cited as pivotal in shaping his deep compassion and calling to serve.
Despite the difficulties of his youth, Ukpai pursued education with unwavering determination. He would later earn multiple honorary doctorates in theology and divinity, though his most enduring credential remained the transformative impact of his preaching.
In the early 1970s, Ukpai began his evangelical ministry with a vision that would grow into an international movement. From modest beginnings preaching in villages and small towns, he rose to become a commanding voice in Nigerian and global Christianity. His crusades drew millions, marked by testimonies of healing, deliverance, and salvation.
Reverend Ukpai was the founder of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, a non-denominational organization committed to soul-winning and revival. His message was one of faith, empowerment, and divine intervention a signature style that inspired thousands of pastors and birthed a new wave of Pentecostalism in Nigeria.
He was also known for his passion for education and humanitarian work. The Uma Ukpai School of Theology, Uma Ukpai Polytechnic, and the King of Kings Hospital in Akwa Ibom State are lasting monuments to his commitment to holistic ministry meeting both the spiritual and physical needs of the people.
Ukpai’s influence extended far beyond the pulpit. As a regular speaker at global conferences and a close mentor to many leading African pastors, including Bishop David Oyedepo and Pastor Paul Enenche, he helped shape the direction of Pentecostal Christianity in the 20th and 21st centuries.
His unique combination of fiery preaching, prophetic insight, and pastoral humility earned him admiration across denominational lines. Though never without controversy as is often the case with spiritual giants Ukpai remained a unifying figure in an increasingly fragmented religious landscape.
Reverend Uma Ukpai is survived by his wife, Pastor Philomena Ukpai, their children, and a host of spiritual sons and daughters around the world.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Legacy of Faith
Ukpai’s death marks the end of an era, but his legacy endures in the revival fires he ignited, the churches he helped plant, and the lives he transformed. For many, he was not just a preacher but a father, teacher, and bridge to the divine.
As tributes pour in from across denominations, regions, and generations, one thing remains clear: Reverend Uma Ukpai ran his race with distinction, finishing strong and faithful to the end.
source: tvcnews.tv
