Year in Review: 3 Nigerian Pastors Who Lost Their Lives in 2025
- Several pastors lost their lives in 2025 and the news of their unfortunate demise left many Nigerians devastated
- Apart from Reverend Dr. Uma Ukpai, the founder of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and leader of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association died at 80
- Another well known preacher who was the presiding pastor of Carpenter's Ministry, Nkechi Ene had also lost her life
The deaths of several prominent pastors in 2025 came as a heavy blow to many Nigerians, leaving many in a state of grief.
Among those who passed away was Reverend Dr. Uma Ukpai, founder of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and head of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, who died at the age of 80.
Source: Instagram
Also lost was Nkechi Ene, the respected lead pastor of Carpenter’s Ministry.
This piece by Legit.ng talks about three well-known pastors whose deaths in 2025 deeply saddened the nation.
1. Uma Ukpai's death at 80
Prominent Christian leader and widely respected evangelist, Reverend Dr Uma Ukpai, passed away after a life devoted to faith and ministry.
News of his death quickly went viral months ago, leaving many Nigerians in deep mourning, especially those who had followed his teachings for decades.
For many who regarded him as a spiritual pillar and a guiding voice within the country’s Christian space, his passing was truly the end of an era.
The announcement was shared publicly through his official platform, @Uma Ukpai, where his family conveyed the painful news to followers and supporters.
The statement had also indicated at the time that arrangements about his burial would be communicated.
The update drew immediate attention online and served as the first confirmation of the death for many Nigerians at home and abroad.
Before his death, Dr Ukpai was recognised as the founder of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, an organisation that grew into a great force within Nigeria’s religious landscape.
Through years of evangelistic outreach and spiritual leadership, he influenced countless lives and played a notable role in shaping Christianity in the country.
His preachings placed strong emphasis on faith, dedication and moral responsibility, values that became associated with his name.
Following the release of the obituary, reactions poured in from Nigerians, showing the depth of his impact and the affection many held for him.
Social media platforms were filled with messages of sorrow, remembrance and appreciation, as individuals shared personal encounters with his ministry.
2. Nkechi Ene dies after health crisis
The Carpenter's Church announced the passing of its presiding pastor, Mrs Nkechi Chinyere Ene, an incident that brought deep sorrow to members of the congregation and the wider Christian community.
Her death was described as a painful loss, given her influence and dedication to spiritual leadership.
Source: Instagram
Many worshippers struggled to come to terms with the news, as she had remained actively involved in ministry work until shortly before her passing.
The confirmation of her death was shared through the church’s official platform, @The Carpenter's Church, where the news reached congregants and followers beyond the immediate church family.
The announcement explained that the church leadership released the information on behalf of the ministry, guiding members on how to process the loss while awaiting further updates.
Believers who had followed her ministerial journey were left in a deep state of mourning because of the sad news.
Mrs Ene passed away on Wednesday, October 29th, 2025, not long after returning from a ministerial assignment that was described as spiritually impactful.
According to the church’s account, she encountered an unexpected health emergency while in Lagos, Nigeria.
The sudden nature of the incident left many saddened, especially as there had been no prior indication of serious illness before the trip.
She was known within Christian circles for her strong faith and dedication to teaching and living out biblical principles.
Members of the church regarded her as a strong spiritual guide whose personal life reflected the message she preached.
Her leadership style was admirable to the congregation, as she encouraged believers to remain steadfast and purposeful in their walk of faith.
The church also drew attention to the family she left behind, urging prayers and support for her husband, Brother Emeka Ene, and their daughters, Zoe, Chloe, Tracy and Osi.
Sympathy was extended to her mother, Ma Mercy Chijioke, as well as her siblings, who were said to be deeply affected by the loss.
Church leaders acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment, recognising the difficulty faced by the congregation.
They emphasised that Mrs Ene’s influence would continue to shape lives, noting that her teachings and example remained alive in the hearts of believers within and beyond the church community.
3. Pastor Pwavi Ijeoma Jacob
A fatal road crash brought an end to the life of Pastor Hon. Pwavi Ijeoma Jacob, leaving many in sorrow.
She lost her life while travelling back to Abuja, an incident that broke the hearts of those who knew her work in public service and ministry.
News of her passing went viral, with many struggling to accept the sudden demise of a woman widely regarded as vibrant and purposeful.
Confirmation of the tragedy came through a social media post shared by the Adamawa State Commissioner for Works and Energy Development, @Adamu Atiku A.
In his message, he expressed deep sadness over the incident and explained that the pastor died earlier that day following a motor accident.
The commissioner spoke from a place of personal connection, recalling a recent encounter that made the loss even more painful.
Only days before the accident, Pastor Hon. Pwavi had paid him a visit at his residence in Yola.
During that meeting, they shared a meal and spent time in a well-meaning discussion.
In reflecting on her life, the commissioner noted that she was not only devoted to her public responsibilities but also deeply valued on a personal level.
He regarded her as someone whose sincerity and commitment stood out, reiterating that her character was admirable to all who interacted with her.
Her death, he explained, felt like a deeply personal blow, extending beyond professional circles into genuine friendship.
Pastor Hon. Pwavi’s passing touched many who loved her for service, faith and human connection.
Those who knew her spoke of a woman who balanced responsibility with compassion, and duty with genuine care for others.
Her sudden death proved the fragility of life and the impact one individual could have through integrity and kindness.
As tributes continued to surface, it was clear that her memory remained alive for many of those she touched.
Though her journey ended unexpectedly, the influence she carried in life continued to echo among colleagues, friends and members of the community who mourned her loss.
See the post below:
Kaduna-based pastor Azzaman dies
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a Kaduna-based pastor and the leading pastor of the King Worship Chapel and Ministry, Kaduna, Azzaman David, died.
Azzaman reportedly died in a motor accident on Saturday, May 24, while returning from Makurdi, Benue state, to his Kaduna base.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
