The year 2025 has been a painful one for Nigeria’s Christian community, as several highly respected clerics and faith leaders were called to eternal rest. Their deaths left an emotional void in churches and ministries across the country, with believers mourning their absence and celebrating the impactful lives they lived in service to God and humanity.
Below is a detailed look at some of the most prominent Nigerian Christian clerics who passed away in 2025 — their journeys, their ministries, and the legacies they left behind.
1. Evangelist Uma Ukpai (1945–2025)
Founder, Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association
The Nigerian Christian world was thrown into mourning on October 6, 2025, following the death of Evangelist Uma Ukpai, one of the country’s most influential preachers and founders of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association (UUEA).
Aged 80, the revered man of God passed away in Lagos, surrounded by family and close associates. Ukpai’s ministry spanned over five decades, marked by powerful crusades, healing miracles, and a lifelong dedication to spreading the gospel across nations.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), journalists, and Christian leaders nationwide paid tribute to his unwavering faith and leadership. The Nigerian Christian Journalists Forum (NCJF) described him as “a spiritual father, mentor, and grandfather figure whose teachings touched lives across generations.”
Evangelist Uma Ukpai’s ministry inspired millions and established a strong legacy of evangelism, unity, and compassion in Nigerian Christianity. His passing marked the end of an era but left behind a ministry that will continue to impact lives for years to come.
2. Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo (1970–2025)
Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State
Another tragic loss came on June 15, 2025, when Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, the Plateau State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Parish Priest of St. William’s Parish, Zawan, passed away in Jos after a brief illness.
Reports revealed that Fr. Lubo had been involved in a minor road accident a week before his death. Despite receiving treatment, his health deteriorated, and he passed away in the early hours of Sunday.
Tributes poured in from across the nation. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang mourned him as a “champion of peace and interfaith unity”, while CAN described his passing as “a heartbreaking loss to the body of Christ.”
Known for his humility, wisdom, and commitment to unity, Fr. Lubo spent his life building bridges between Christian and Muslim communities in Plateau State. His death left a deep void in the hearts of many who saw him as a pillar of peace and spiritual strength.
3. Rev. Emmanuel Kure (1962–2025)
Senior Priest, Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna
The Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna was thrown into mourning on July 16, 2025, following the death of Rev. Emmanuel Kure, a highly respected Monsignor who served the church faithfully for decades.
He died at Multiclinics Hospital in Kaduna at the age of 63 after a brief illness. The Archdiocese, in an official statement released by the Chancellor’s office, described his passing as “a huge blow to the Catholic faithful and the entire Christian family in Nigeria.”
Rev. Kure was known for his simplicity, deep spirituality, and commitment to pastoral work. His efforts in promoting peace and harmony in Northern Nigeria earned him recognition across religious and political lines. Parishioners described him as “a father to many and a humble servant of God.”
4. Rev. David Ayuba Azzaman (1975–2025)
Lead Pastor, The King Worship Chapel and Ministry, Kaduna
Tragedy also struck in May 2025 with the death of Rev. David Ayuba Azzaman, the Lead Pastor of The King Worship Chapel and Ministry, Inc. He died in a fatal road accident while traveling from Makurdi to Kaduna.
His sudden death sent shockwaves through the Christian community in Northern Nigeria, as Rev. Azzaman was widely known for his dynamic preaching and humanitarian outreach.
Fellow ministers and church members mourned his passing, describing him as a passionate soul-winner who devoted his life to mentoring young pastors and spreading the message of hope. His ministry continues to thrive through his disciples and congregation, who vowed to carry on his mission.
