In this report, Olufemi Adediran examined some 2024 prophecies of popular Nigerian pastors and prophets and how many of them went unfulfilled. While looking at the predictions for 2025, some Christian leaders advised preachers to de-emphasise such practices
From megachurches to smaller congregations, New Yearâs Eve services are often marked by pastors, prophets, and spiritual leaders sharing their visions and prophecies for the upcoming year.
These prophecies, which often address issues such as economic recovery, political events, natural disasters, and national security, have become an annual tradition in Nigeria.
Every year, people in the country look forward to the declarations of respected and popular religious leaders, hoping for insight into the countryâs fortunes and future.
While some of these prophecies come to pass, others fall short, deepening mistrust and raising concerns about the credibility and calling of these preachers.
In 2024, religious leaders predicted economic hardship and eventual recovery, major political changes, breakthroughs in national security, and a year of divine intervention for the country.
However, the reality of the past year painted a starkly different picture, as economic hardship worsened, insecurity persisted, and political tensions remained unresolved.
In 2024, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, released seven prophecies for Nigeria and the international community.
The cleric said, âThings will get worse before it gets better in 2024, some serious secrets would come into the open, there will be divine intervention in those places that are hot, and medical breakthroughs in areas like cancer, asthma, hypertension, and sugar diabetes.â
There is no evidence all the prophecies came to pass.
The most notable unfulfilled prophecy for year 2024 came from the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, who predicted victory for Vice President Kamala Harris at the US presidential election.
The controversial pastor said Harris would not only emerge the winner of the election, but also become the first female president of America.
âThe person I see ruling America is a woman; the person who is vice will become president, write it down,â Suleman said to the cheering of his church members.
However, former President Donald Trump won the election by a landslide and is set for inauguration as the 47th president of the US on January 20, 2025.
Another unfulfilled prophecy came from the founder and senior pastor of the Champions Royal Assembly, Prophet Joshua Iginla, who predicted that President Bola Tinubu would experience major medical emergencies and health failure.
âPresident Tinubu should focus on his health to prevent medical emergencies twice. We pray Godâs agenda for him will come to pass,â Iginla said.
Also, the clericâs prediction on the removal of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang,failed to manifest.
Predicting Mutfwangâs removal, Iginla said, âThe governor should pray. I saw his seat being occupied by another person. He should pray to finish what he has started. He should rise not to only sustain his seat but his life too. He is a star in this country despite the issues surrounding him.â
However, his prediction on possible attack on the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas,or his relatives came to pass when a policeman escorting the family accidentally shot the governorâs sister, Atsi Kefas, while attempting to fend off some assailants last December.
2025 prophecies
Religious leaders have made several predictions for the new year.
Pastor Adeboye, in his 2025 prophecies during the cross over night on Tuesday, December 31 at the Redemption city, said, 2025 would be a landmark year.
âGod says the wind that started blowing last year will continue to blow this year but stronger. The Lord said some earthly helpers will be replaced by heavenly helpers this year. The Lord said mockers will be louder and more aggressive but unfortunately many will not survive 2025. The Lord says some towns and villages will shout victory at last,â the cleric added.
The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, revealed some of his prophecies for 2025, predicting that Nigerians would face more economic hardships.
Ayodele said, âThe spirit of the Lord revealed to me that things will be difficult even as the economy will be sluggish. As the lord revealed, economic hardship will continue in 2025, the economy is not going to get better as expected this year unless the government fights corruption and cuts the cost of governanceâ.
The cleric also predicted a crisis in the Senate and a ploy to remove the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
âNigeria will fail if it continues to rely on petroleum as the major source of revenue. If Nigeria is still investing in petrol in the next five to six years, we will regret it. Petrol price will crash, Nigerians will still buy petrol for N200; it may not be now, but in the near future.
âThere will be more problems in the Peoples Democratic Party. If the spell in PDP and Labour Party is not cast away, they will fail because more people will defect to the All Progressives Congress. If the opposition parties do not stand firm, they will not defeat APC,â Ayodele said.
In his prophecies, the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Daniel Olukoya, said 2025 would be a year of strange battles.
Olukoya, who made the predictions during the churchâs annual crossover service, on Wednesday, also noted that âmany prayers are needed to avert economic turbulenceâ.
Other predictions of the cleric include: â2025 will be a year God will raise transformative leaders. A year when the Lord will render naked and disgrace fake ministers. A year of tragedy for married men who like going around with strange women. A year when prayers are needed to tackle strange economic and political turbulence.â
The General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, in his prophecies during the crossover service, said the name of Jesus Christ would open closed doors for people in 2025.
The cleric added that those who connected their names to Jesus Christ would explode positively in 2025.
Kumuyi said, âWelcome the new year. Whatâs your name? Your new year has come, 2025. I give you a prosperous 2025, a fully-loaded 2025.
âAll sufficiency for your life, for your ministry, for your profession. 2025 fully, completely loaded for you. The enemy will not determine your life in the New Year. You have the final say.â
The founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winnersâ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, said 2025 would be the beginning of a transformative era for believers.
âBy the guidance of the Holy Spirit, 2025 will be your year of new beginningsâa year of fresh opportunities and significant advancements in your life.
âWelcome to 2025, a new era. You may find yourself questioning, âHave I truly been a Christian all this time?â Incredible transformations will start occurring in your lives
âYou are entering a new phase in every aspect of your existenceâyour health, family, spiritual journey, business, and career,â Oyedepo said.
Prophecies or predictions?
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Lagos State, Bishop Tunde Adegbite, described prophecies by some clerics as mere predictions generated from the reactions and comments of people on issues.
He also described many clerics as âtalkatives who issue prophecies just to please their congregants and Nigerians.â
âYou can imagine somebody saying, âthis year God told me a politician will die, one rich man will die, is that a prophecy?â That is a fallacy; has there been any year that a politician will not die? Has there been any year a rich man will not die? Has there been any year a man or woman will not die?
âEveryone of us know that what they are giving now is not from God and if you have anything from God, everybody will know from what you are saying. Once it does not come to pass, we regard you as being talkative.
âWe need to critically examine many acclaimed prophets now and know whether what they are saying is from God for man or it is because of their stomach, so that people can be coming to them for succour, and that is not the work of a prophet, you must say it as it is,â Adegbite said.
On his part, the General Overseer of Victory Life Bible Church, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, said the New Year prophecies were unnecessary, describing them as acts of show off by clerics.
âI think these prophecies are unnecessary. What the church should focus on is how people can obey the rules and regulations of the land and obey the principles that add value to society. If we can follow all these, we do not need any prophecy to govern any nation.
âProphecies have not really made any impact on the country, but in a way, it has made some people lazy because prophecies without work are useless,â Achudume said.
The Archbishop of Lagos, Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Ayo Olawuyi,cautioned clerics against misleading Nigerians with New Year prophecies.
He described many of the prophecies as misleading, saying âThe right prophecy is for people to turn away from their evil ways; from wickedness, corruption, exploitation and seek righteousness.â
He argued that rather than causing apprehension and confusion with their prophecies, religious leaders must continue to pray for the good of the nation.
But the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Ayodele, defended New Year prophecies by Nigerian clerics, arguing that âprophecies are spiritual guidelines for nations that care to listen.â
He called on Nigerians not to underrate prophecies because âthey provide spiritual insight and guidance, helping people prepare for potential challenges and embrace opportunities with faith and caution.â
