Pastor and Prophet Abiodun Akintola, the General Overseer of God of Covenant C & S Church International, headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, says the Church in Nigeria is too large for the Christian Association of Nigeria to adequately and cohesively monitor.
Describing as unfortunate the incessant negative commentaries about the Church in Nigeria and some of its ministers on social media, the highly revered U.S.-based Nigerian preacher shared his views with Christian Benefits on the state of the Church in Nigeria, the impact of his ministry in the United States, and the forthcoming 2026 Annual National Conference of the four Nigerian branches of his church, scheduled to hold from April 8th to 12th, 2026, at the Badeku branch in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Briefly tell us about your ministry—its vision, mandate, programmes, and some testimonies from the ministry.
The mission of the ministry is primarily to expand the Kingdom of God through evangelism and acts of kindness toward our fellow human beings. The mandate God gave me was clear: to preach the undiluted Word of God and to teach people how to pray individually and independently.
As a renowned Nigerian preacher in the diaspora (United States), please share your experiences pastoring as a Nigerian preacher in the U.S. and the impact of your ministry in that country.
We give all glory to God for the success of the ministry in the United States. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, and we follow His leading and direction through the Holy Spirit at all times. The Church is not a private business; therefore, my personal opinion does not supersede God’s will in any situation. The motto of the Church is: “Doing the Will of God Always.”
Aside from your church base in the U.S, kindly tell us about the leadership, administrative structure, programmes, and activities of the church branch in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Again, we return all glory to God for the expansion of our branches in Nigeria. Currently, we have branches in four different cities. Our Nigerian headquarters is located in Badeku, Ibadan. We also have one branch in Owode-Ede and another in Osogbo, both in Osun State, as well as a branch in Ifo, Ogun State.
All branches are doing well under dedicated men and women of God who oversee each location under my general supervision as General Overseer. We maintain regular communication through our leadership platforms, and each branch has direct access to me whenever my attention is required.
Every unit reports church activities on the Leadership Forum platform, with pictures and videos taken during services. Each year, we gather in Ibadan for our Annual Conference/Convention, where members from all branches assemble to celebrate the goodness of God. During this time, we pray for the growth of the Church, for our members and attendees, and for the world at large. Many people testify to victories, healings, new births, and general progress in their endeavors.
Please tell us about the forthcoming 2026 Annual Conference of the Ibadan Church. What should people look forward to or expect from the conference?
The 2026 Annual Conference will commence on April 8th and conclude with a Thanksgiving Service on April 12th, 2026. Activities will include revival services, lectures, evangelism, community outreach programmes, ordinations, and a grand Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, April 12th.
What is the significance and impact of the Annual Confrence on the church and its members?
The Annual Conference provides an opportunity for members to interact and fellowship with one another. More importantly, it creates a platform for us to deliberate on how to move the Church forward and make a greater impact on society.
Kindly share some testimonies from the 2025 Conference and expectations for 2026.
This year’s conference promises to be even more elaborate, as more members from the United States will be in attendance, and several distinguished guests have been invited.

You often celebrate God’s servant, Primate Babatunde Ayodele. Please tell us about him and share your other role models or mentors in ministry.
Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele is the Grand Patron and Spiritual Father of our Church, both in Nigeria and overseas. He deeply loves the Church and remains very close to us. Despite his busy schedule, Baba is always just one phone call away, ready to listen and offer words of wisdom and encouragement on how we can move forward as a ministry.
We are continually inspired by his unwavering outreach and empowerment programmes and pray that God grants us the grace to emulate such impactful acts in society.
What is your view on the state of the Church in Nigeria today compared to the Church in the United States where you are based?
The Church in Nigeria is Sizeably healthy, thanks to the works of our fathers and grandfathers in the faith. I see many sound teachers, remarkable good works by leaders, steady progress, and the continuous spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
How do you feel when you read unpleasant posts about the Church in Nigeria and some of her ministers on social media? In your opinion, how can this be remedied?
There are occasional instances where we read or hear about ministers engaging in actions that are unbecoming. Unfortunately, such cases are unavoidable. The Church in Nigeria is very large, with numerous ministers—too many for the Christian Association of Nigeria to fully and cohesively monitor. We are all individuals with different backgrounds and training. Not everyone operates at the same level of understanding regarding ministerial duties and God’s expectations. However, greater accountability, mentorship, and spiritual discipline can help address these issues.
Finally, how long have you been resident in the United States, and are you considering retiring back home in Nigeria someday—as the Yoruba saying goes, “Ilé làbọ̀ isimi ọkò” (home is the place of rest)?
I have been resident in the United States since 1998. To the glory of God, I regularly visit Nigeria because of our church branches. Even if I am not fully disengaged from the U.S. Church, I spend time in Nigeria during my visits to monitor the different locations. Eventually, by God’s grace, when I am older, I will be based in Nigeria and visit the U.S. headquarters during their annual church activities. Everything is in God’s hands. Thank you, and God bless you.