T. B. Joshua

Temitope Balogun Joshua, known worldwide as T. B. Joshua, was a Nigerian charismatic pastor and televangelist who founded the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos. His ministry reached millions across Africa and Latin America, and his Emmanuel TV station became a global platform for sermons, healing services, and prophetic declarations. At its peak, his YouTube channel boasted over one million subscribers and was the most-viewed Christian ministry channel on the platform before its suspension in 2021.

Joshua's influence was recognized with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2008 and inclusion in lists of Africa's 50 most influential people. He was also a notable philanthropist, providing free medical care, scholarships, and disaster relief. Yet his career was shadowed by controversy, including a 2010 blacklist by Cameroon and posthumous allegations detailed in a 2024 BBC investigation. He died on June 5, 2021, a week before his 58th birthday, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire devotion and debate. [edit]

Joshua was born on June 12, 1963, in Arigidi Akoko, a small town in Ondo State, Nigeria, into a family struggling with extreme poverty. His upbringing was marked by hardship, with limited formal education and menial jobs in his youth. According to SCOAN, his journey was "a humbling story of how God raised a young man from a poverty-stricken home to lead" a global ministry.

During his teenage years, Joshua reported experiencing visions and prophetic calls that set him on a religious path. He began as an itinerant preacher, traveling and ministering in various communities. In the late 1980s, he moved to Lagos, where he founded SCOAN in 1987. His early services, characterized by claims of miraculous healings and prophecy, attracted growing crowds and soon drew international attention. [edit]

From the 1990s, Joshua's ministry expanded rapidly throughout Nigeria and West Africa. In 2005, he launched Emmanuel TV, a satellite channel that broadcast his sermons and healing services globally. His YouTube channel later became the most-viewed Christian ministry on the platform, amassing over one million subscribers before its suspension in 2021.

Joshua received the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2008. In 2011, Forbes reported he was Nigeria's third-richest pastor, a claim his church denied. In 2014, a building collapse at his church killed over 100 people, leading to investigations. In 2015, he was named Yoruba Man of the Decade and listed among Africa's 50 most influential people. After his death in 2021, a 2024 BBC investigation detailed allegations of abuse, which the church has not publicly addressed. His widow, Evelyn Joshua, has led SCOAN since his passing. [edit]

Joshua's public image was deeply divided. To his followers, he was a miracle worker and prophet whose ministry brought healing and hope. His signature white robes and prophetic declarations were broadcast globally, and his humanitarian efforts earned him devotion. To critics, he was a controversial figure, especially after the 2014 building collapse and the 2024 BBC investigation alleging rape, torture, and faked miracles. The BBC documentary "The Cult of TB Joshua" examined these allegations, questioning how he maintained influence. Supporters, however, point to his philanthropy and the global reach of his ministry, and his legacy continues to stir debate. [edit]

T. B. Joshua's legacy remains a study in global polarization, where devotion and scandal collide with equal force. In August 2026, the 24th most famous person in Pastors held steady on the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, a position reflecting his enduring grip on Pentecostal culture despite the controversies that erupted after his death. His influence was never merely local; it was a digital ecosystem spanning continents, where millions tuned into Emmanuel TV for sermons that blended traditional Nigerian fervor with modern media tactics. This reach created a unique following: not a casual fanbase, but a disciplined movement known simply as SCOAN members or Joshua's flock. They operated without a formalized pop-culture name like "Swifties," instead channeling their energy into theological campaigns, coordinated mass prayers for national healing and the distribution of anointed handkerchiefs believed to hold miraculous power.

The cultural mythology surrounding him fractured posthumously. For loyalists, he remained a prophet who predicted world events with uncanny accuracy, a figure whose white robes signaled divine authority. For critics, the narrative shifted toward allegations of abuse and staged miracles exposed by investigative journalism. The fainting phenomenon, where thousands reportedly fell into trances during services, became a defining legend, retold by believers as evidence of the Holy Spirit while skeptics pointed to hidden wires. Yet, even as the BBC documentary dismantled the facade of his miracles, the scale of his impact persisted. The church continues to honor his memory annually, proving that his brand transcended the revelations of fraud and abuse. Whether viewed as a miracle worker or a manipulator, his ability to command global attention ensured his place among the most significant religious figures of the era.[edit]

Joshua's Instagram bio famously declared him a "Prophet for Generations" and General Overseer of SCOAN, noting that its Founder is Jesus Christ. He was instantly recognizable in his signature white robes, a look that became iconic among his followers. The church compound in Lagos featured a prayer mountain and a massive auditorium that drew pilgrims from across the globe. Known for dramatic healing services broadcast live on Emmanuel TV, Joshua also claimed to have predicted various world events, adding to his mystique.

Central to his lore is the "fainting phenomenon," where thousands of attendees would reportedly fall into trances or scream during sermons. Believers cite this as proof of the Holy Spirit's power, though these events are now often framed by critics as part of a staged performance. Another legendary aspect involves his specific claims to predict the deaths of political figures and celebrities years in advance, stories that remain part of the oral history of his followers despite lacking independent verification before the events occurred. These narratives persist even as investigations later revealed many healings were fabricated using hidden wires and other tricks.[edit]

Joshua was married to Evelyn Joshua, who has led SCOAN since his death. The couple kept their personal life private, and few details are public about their children, who have largely stayed out of the spotlight. Evelyn has become the public face of the ministry, preaching on integrity and hope during services in 2026. The family's household and personal affairs remain largely undisclosed, reflecting their preference for privacy. [edit]

Evelyn Joshua, his widow, has led SCOAN since his death, preaching on integrity and hope. The BBC investigation involved more than 25 church insiders from the UK, Nigeria, Ghana, and other countries who provided testimony about the ministry's practices. [edit]

T. B. Joshua was married to Evelyn Joshua, and their relationship remained largely private throughout his life. They were married until his death in 2021. After his passing, Evelyn has continued to lead SCOAN, becoming the public face of the ministry. As of 2026, she remains the widow of T. B. Joshua and leads the church, preaching messages of hope and faith. The couple's children have stayed out of the public eye, and no other public relationships are documented. [edit]

Tributes poured in from international Christian leaders immediately following the announcement, with Bishop David Oyedepo and Pastor Enoch Adeboye describing him as a prophet for generations. Vigils were held spontaneously by followers across Nigeria and abroad, turning the SCOAN compound into a site of pilgrimage for mourners seeking to pay their respects. The Nigerian charismatic pastor died on June 5, 2021, at a private residence or clinic within the SCOAN compound in Lagos, just three days before his 58th birthday. Official statements from the church cited illness without specifying a medical condition, and a hospital release indicated he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

The official cause remains unverified by external authorities, with the family attributing it to natural causes related to long-standing health struggles. A grand public funeral service took place on June 11, 2021, at the SCOAN headquarters, drawing thousands of attendees including high-profile Nigerian politicians and religious leaders. The event featured elaborate performances and eulogies highlighting his ministry's global impact before he was buried in a private ceremony within the church grounds, adhering to his wishes for a modest final resting place. In the years since, SCOAN has continued to release archived sermons and documentaries about his life, including a special program commemorating the fifth anniversary of his demise in June 2026.

Posthumous developments included a January 2024 BBC investigation that alleged Joshua had raped, tortured, and abused followers over nearly 20 years prior to his death, leading to renewed scrutiny of his legacy though no criminal trial occurred against him. The church faced internal leadership disputes regarding the administration of his estate, resulting in a 21-month closure of the church due to a leadership tussle between factions. His widow, Mrs. Mercy Joshua, has remained active in leading the church and addressing economic hardships while managing the organization's future.[edit]

At the time of his death in 2021, T. B. Joshua's net worth stood at $15 Million, a figure per iFANN's editorial analysis. His estate, managed by his widow Evelyn Joshua, continues to generate income through the ongoing operations of SCOAN, Emmanuel TV broadcasting, and the church's global ministry activities. The church was closed for 21 months after his death due to leadership disputes and the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has since reopened and resumed its activities. The estate's revenue streams include donations from followers, sales of religious materials, and media operations. As of 2026, the estate is valued at approximately $15 Million, reflecting the continued operation of the ministry under Evelyn's leadership. The official website tbjoshua.org remains active, offering sermons and live streams, contributing to the estate's financial stability.[edit]

T. B. Joshua received the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2008, a national honor from Nigeria. He was named Yoruba Man of the Decade in 2015 and listed among Africa's 50 most influential people by The Africa Report and New African Magazine. [edit]