At a Glance
- The Ark will become the world’s largest church auditorium when dedicated in November 2025.
- Fully self-funded, the N160 billion project boosts local jobs and infrastructure in Ogun State.
- The sanctuary symbolizes Africa’s faith, enterprise, and Oyedepo’s global influence in modern Christianity.
Bishop David Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church, also known as Winners’ Chapel, is nearing completion of The Ark, a 100,000-seat megachurch in Ota, Nigeria, set to be the world’s largest church auditorium.
The project, valued at over N160 billion ($110.9 million), is scheduled for dedication on November 29, 2025.
Designed as a global worship and leadership center, the Ark highlights Oyedepo’s influence as Africa’s most prominent pastor and one of the continent’s most successful faith-based entrepreneurs.
A vision decades in the making
Rising across from the 50,000-seat Faith Tabernacle in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, The Ark fulfills a dream Oyedepo first shared in the early 2000s, a “city of refuge” meant for worship, leadership training, and global crusades. Construction began in 2021, extending the church’s long-term plan to serve a growing membership spread across more than 150 countries.
Modeled after the biblical Ark, the sanctuary will host its first major event, Shiloh 2025, during its dedication week.
Monumental scale, modern design
The Ark Legacy Project goes beyond a vast worship hall. It includes multi-level seating, advanced sound and lighting systems, smart ventilation, and vertical transport through escalators and elevators. A 12-floor Mission Tower beside it will house the church’s international offices, prayer rooms, and broadcast hub.
Church officials say the project is fully funded through internal resources, without loans or external partners. Though the church has not disclosed the exact cost, estimates from engineers and Nigerian media suggest spending may exceed N160 billion ($110.9 million), one of the largest single investments in faith-based infrastructure on the continent.
Jobs, commerce, and community impact
Beyond its religious significance, construction of The Ark has spurred local economic activity. Thousands of engineers, artisans, suppliers, and transport workers are employed on the project, while nearby businesses, from hotels to roadside traders, are benefiting from increased demand.
The church’s construction arm has prioritized locally sourced materials, aligning with Oyedepo’s long-held belief that African institutions should build with homegrown skill and capacity.
Faith, leadership, and public conversation
Since founding Living Faith Church in 1981, Oyedepo has built a network that extends into education and social development through Covenant University and Landmark University. His ventures in publishing, aviation, and real estate have made him a subject of both admiration and criticism, reflecting broader debates about faith and wealth in modern African Christianity.
Supporters describe The Ark as a statement of faith and national pride. Critics question its scale in a country where poverty and infrastructure gaps persist. Religious scholars see it as part of a wider shift — African churches emerging as both spiritual and economic powerhouses.
Countdown to dedication
As the November 2025 dedication draws near, preparations are underway for what could be one of the largest gatherings in modern Christian history. Global church leaders, heads of state, and hundreds of thousands of worshippers are expected to attend.
For Oyedepo, the project marks the fulfillment of a lifelong calling. “It’s not just an auditorium,” he told congregants recently. “It’s a place where generations will meet God — a testimony of what faith can build.”
When The Ark opens, it will stand as more than a structure — it will be a story of faith turned tangible, and of Africa building its future with its own hands.
