Apostle Johnson Suleman is one of Nigeria’s most beloved and controversial religious figures. As the President and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, he is well-known. The Nigerian preacher, who prefers to be called an Apostle, is most known for releasing the most controversial prophecies for his church members, the nation, and the world on a yearly basis. Among the many things that distinguish the preacher is his candid criticism of the Nigerian government and officials for failing to keep their commitments to the people. His words, prophecy, and support for the masses have earned him widespread acclaim and respect in Africa and beyond.
7 things to Know About Apostle Johnson Suleman
1. He Has a Doctorate Degree and Has Written Many Books
Apostle Johnson Suleman was in Auchi, his hometown, where he began his primary and secondary school education. There are reports that he also has a degree in Mass Communication and a Doctorate Certificate in Philosophy, but the institutions where he obtained these certifications are unknown.
Meanwhile, it is important to note that before young Suleman graduated from the higher institution, he had experienced the other side of life being a dignified cultist. As a product of a broken home, Apostle Johnson Suleman suffered the harsh effect of his parent’s decisions, and like most of his kind, his search for a sense of belonging lured him into something called brotherhood, where he was told he would be accepted as a family member.
Although he was not comfortable with the fraternity’s activities, he found some sort of solace in the group as one of its floor members. When given an assignment by the group leader, he would seek and pay someone else to help him. Thanks also to the influence of his father, the younger Suleman thought he hated the Christian religion because he felt they were not all sincere.
2. Apostle Johnson Suleman Received His Calling in 1989
Suleman began his career during his secondary school years after encountering a divine intervention that changed the course of his life. The young Apostle recalled going to bed on December 24 and waking up on December 26. And while he slept all through the two days, he recalled seeing heaven, hell, and a voice that told him that he was called to be a preacher. Upon waking up, he went to explain his dreams to a mallam, who later advised him to go and do some recitations.
Following his encounter, young Suleman showed signs of a love for the things of God, eagerly going out to evangelize and partaking in church activities against pressure from his father, who would prefer he follows the religion he was born into. On June 20, 1994, an encounter with Acts 10:38 of the Holy Bible was to jump-start his actual work in ministry.
3. His Omega Fire Ministries Was Established in 2004
Accepting to dedicate his life to serving God, young Suleman first served as an assistant pastor in the Armor of God Church, Lagos, which he joined in April 1998. However, after a series of encounters with the Holy Spirit, which he says formed the background of his ministry, he received confirmation to begin his ministry. Hence, Omega Fire Ministries was established in 2004 with the mission of restoring men and their destinies to God through divine revelation of the word of God, the manifestation of power, and the reality of the Holy Ghost.
Omega Fire Ministries International, under the leadership of Johnson Suleman, believes in the fire operation of the Spirit of God that refines, purifies, and equally destroys. The church has a global reach as messages are distributed through Facebook and a 24-hour Christian television channel called Celebration TV and its radio counterpart a 24- hour Christian radio station, “Voice of Fire Radio.”
The name Omega Fire Ministries reportedly came from God’s message to the Apostle, saying, “Put an end to affliction; I am sending you with an Omega Anointing.” The church’s International headquarters is also a hub of many entrepreneurial pursuits as the grounds have restaurants, a printing press, and numerous other employment-creating ventures. The church itself has expanded to more than 52 countries in five continents of the world.
Suleman initially submits himself to the ministerial oversight of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the leader of the Christian
4. His Involvement in Controversies Contributed to His Rise to Prominence
Apostle Johnson Suleman happens to be one of the religious preachers across Nigeria who rose to fame following a series of controversial statements that often put them on the wrong side of the Nigerian government. As one of the fearless and outspoken preachers, his name was a major topic on various trending news tabloids.
His Annual Prophetic Messages Believed to have Come to Pass
The Apostle has said many things believed to have come to pass shortly after, especially those that concern the affairs of the Nigerian government and that of the world at large. While many find his prophecies shocking and, sometimes, manipulative, there is no doubt that they garnered him more popularity as many tend to believe him and thus, look forward to his message every year.
One of Apostle Johnson Suleman’s most controversial Johnson Suleman’s prophecies, released in 2017, became controversial as it was believed they all came to pass, especially the ones that concerned Nigeria and its leadership.
His ‘Kill Fulani Herdsmen’ Order
Outraged by the incessant killings of Nigerians by people identified as the herdsmen, Apostle Johnson Suleman was recently all over the news for telling his security to kill Fulani herdsmen. The preacher, who was reacting to the killings of over 7000 Nigerians across the country and a recent message by the said group on their plans to kill him, ordered his security men to kill any Fulani herder loitering around his church premises. “If they are busy killing Christians and nothing is happening, we will kill them and nothing will happen,” he said.
As expected, his speech caused many controversies as many supported him on the ground that it was a message of self-defense, while others, including some government officials, condemned his words, saying it was a call for violence. His comment also attracted the attention of the Department of State Services (DSS), who invited him to their Abuja office after their initial attempt to get him was foiled by Ayodele Fayose, the governor of Ekiti State.
His Alleged Romantic Fling with Nollywood Actress Daniella Okeke
In 2017, a report from an online news media, Sahara Reporters, alleged that Apostle Johnson Suleman bought a property worth N40 million for Nollywood Actress Daniella Okeke. The said property, which reportedly has two duplexes, was said to have been bought by the controversial Man of God, who then spruced it up with a whopping N120 million before handing it over to the actress. The Apostle has also been allegedly involved in a sex scandal with Canada-based singer Stephanie Otobo, and Nigeria actress Halima Abubakar, among others.
Stephanie Otobo today, 9th May 2022, came back in the news, years after she exposed her alleged sexual affair with Apostle Johnson Suleman.
In a Twitter post on Monday, Stephanie accused the cleric of trying to eliminate her.
The music artiste also posted screenshots of video calls and another intimate image.
She dared the “Oracle of God” to deny he is not the one in the photos.
“Can you deny this? Your fingernail and the scar on your left thigh?
“If these screenshots were fake, how did I get his pics that aren’t public pics and how come I’m the first to release this kind of pics of him?”
Meanwhile, Nigerian actress Daniella denied being in any relationship with the clergyman. On his part, Suleman denied all the allegations severally and was supported by his wife, who stood by him from the beginning of the ‘battle’ to the time Otobo confessed to being paid by top politicians to humiliate him.
5. Apostle Johnson Suleman Has 5 Children with His Wife Lizzy
The Apostle’s recent involvement in controversies has seen his wife coming public to defend her marriage and declare her support for her husband. Lizzy is also a minister in the Omega Fire Ministry as she often shares the
church podium with her husband. The Apostle and his wife are blessed with five children – four girls and a son.
6. Apostle Johnson Suleman Has a Net Worth of $10.5 Million
The Nigerian televangelist, senior pastor, and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, is listed among the richest pastors in Nigeria, with his net worth estimated at $10.5 million. The Nigerian minister generates his money from his ministries and other business ventures. One of his known businesses is the Hossana Oil and Gas, for which he is listed as the CEO.
7. The Pastor Lives a Lavish Lifestyle
Pastor Suleman is one of those pastors that are known for their philanthropic nature. The Apostle himself has built a reputation for giving those close to him lavish gifts. Millions of his income reportedly go to the orphanage and destitute adults across the country. In 2019, the preacher revealed that he gifted all his male workers with cars, not as a loan. He said this while slamming politicians and employers of labor who mistreat their workers.
During one of his wife’s birthday celebrations, the minister reportedly gifted her a shopping center and a transport company. There were also claims that his wife received a gift from a school specializing in teaching the highest standards of English and other subjects to poor students. His wife, on the other hand, gives scholarships to less privileged people.
His Lives in a Mansion Worth N400 million
The Apostle owns several houses in his home state of Benin. One of his recently acquired houses is located in Auchi.
The gorgeous home, worth about N400 million, reportedly has a helipad, a huge swimming pool, and a games village. Suleman’s house was called one of the most beautiful homes in Edo State.
He Has a Fleets of Exotic Cars
It is no news that the Omega Fire Apostle is a lover of flashy cars, and as a wealthy businessman, he has showered himself with lots of them.
His Car collection includes:
- Rolls Royce Phantom Porsche
- G-Wagon
- Toyota Prado Jeep
Apostle Johnson Suleman Reportedly Owns Three Private Jets
Apostle Johnson owns three private jets. This news about the minister’s luxury jet collection came in 2020 when he announced the purchase of his third jet amid the Covid-19 lockdown. The preacher’s comment resulted in a heated backlash from Nigerians who felt acquiring three private jets was necessary, especially when there are many other areas the money could be channeled to. However, in what appears like a clarification message to concerned Nigerians, the Apostle said his purchase of a third jet does not mean the first two were still in place. It may mean that either one or the other two were sold to buy the third, he said. Presently, the preacher has been seen with one jet, and it is not clear if the other two are on standby.
Some more interesting facts
1. He once hated Christianity.
According to him, the influence of his father rubbed off on him in his youth. He thought many Christians were insincere. Seeing the pastors collect donations from church members without accounting for the expenditure was a turn-off for him. However, that changed in 1989.
2. He was once a journalist and a writer.
Apostle Suleman was once a journalist and a writer, he studied mass communication and he has a Ph.D. in human resource development. Suleman has worked as an investigative journalist at TELL magazine and later moved to PM News before joining DBN, a television station, which is no longer in existence.
3. His father was a Muslim
His father was a Muslim, while his mother was a Christian. He did not see the possibility of his son leaving the fold. His parents disagreed on a number of issues, which eventually led to their separation.
4. He was once a cultist.
The now holy man was formerly a cultist. He said in an interview: “I was a dignified cultist. I am from a home of separated parents. My parents had some issues. Any child from a home like that is bound to fall into the streets. “So, I got into school and I wanted acceptance somewhere. Someone told me that there is something called brotherhood and that I would be accepted as a family member and I liked it. I didn’t know there was a beating part and being taken to the bush. “I didn’t like that. But you have to go into it. What I always avoided then was the assignments. I was just like a floor member. I would go to meetings and when assigned to do something and I couldn’t, I had to look for someone to do it and pay for it. I was not really happy but I was there.”
5. His greatest challenge is the flesh.
Suleman says the greatest weakness is that of the flesh. “Men of God called to proclaim the Gospel of Christ in truth cannot be separated from having challenges in their various assignments as challenges are part of the call. “The general challenge in respect of the call is the flesh and the devil. If these two things are removed, there won’t be any challenge. “As for the achievements, we have several daily, weekly, monthly, yearly achievements but the greatest of it all is that we have the Most High God with us in all our ways,” he said in an interview.