Nigeria New Law Might Force More Pastors To Retire

Last weekend, Pastor Enoch Adeboye resigned his role as general overseer of the over 5-million-member Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Nigeria (though not as overseer of its international presence in 192 nations). He cited the nation’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and its newly-introduced Governance Code for his action.

Section 9:3 of the code stipulates that leaders or founders of nonprofit organizations—including churches and ministries—must hand over leadership to a non-family member after 70 years of age or 20 years of being in charge. Adeboye is 74, and has been leading his megachurch since 1981.

The law, which is designed to guarantee financial accountability, went into effect in October 2016 may force other Pastors out of office.

Affected prominent pastors would include David Oyedepo of Living Faith Ministries Worldwide (over 1 million members); Mike Okonkwo of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (over 500,000 members); Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy (over 400,000 members); and Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre (over 300,000 members). Countless other pastors with massive congregations would also join the massive wave of forced resignations across the oil-rich nation.

Although, Pastor David Oyedepo has come out to say men of God do not retire, Anglican, and Catholic churches already established plans on pastoral tenure and succession (between 65 and 70 years of age).

President Muhammadu Buhari fired the FRC’s executive secretary, Jim Obazee, without giving a reason (many believed Pastor Adeboye resignation led to the sacking of the secretary), the President has since suspended the implementation of the new financial code “until after further reviews,” and replaced the FRC board with new appointees.

It is left to be seen if the law will force these men of God out of office if implemented.