By Ebunoluwa Sessou

Nigeria’s International Evangelist and founder of Pentecostal Christian movement in Nigeria and the President of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association (UUEA), Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, will be 80 years old in January 7, 2025.

Uma Ukpai was born January 7, 1945 in Asaga Ohafia, Abia state of Nigeria.

He is the brain behind transformative Greater Lagos Crusades for Christ, which brought together church leaders from different denominations that paved the way to the birth of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in May 1985.

Sequel to the death of his father when he was about 10 years of age, he once remarked that “I know what it means to lose a father and to be a father at a tender age.” I know what it is to save money to pay school fees, so I have feelings for the poor, for I know what it means to be poor. I learned early in life, that the stone satan throws at you can become your stepping staircase to life of abundance.

His Evangelist Association, which functions as a bridge building between different denominations regularly holds city wide crusades including The Greater Lagos Crusades for Christ which gave birth to the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN); Greater Ohafia Crusade For Christ and One million Man crusade.

Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai is also the Chairman of the King of Kings hospital and Uma Ukpai Eye Specialists Hospital in Asaga, Ohafia in Abia state of Nigeria. He is also the proprietor of Uma Ukpai School of Theology and Bible Studies Uyo Akwa Ibom state. He owns the Uma Ukpai Polytechnic, Asaga and a fashion school in Uyo Akwa Ibom state.Rev Dr Uma Ukpai is married to Dr. (Mrs). Philomena Uma Ukpai and they are blessed with seven children.

Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, holds a certificate in Electrical Engineering Practice, a Diploma in Journalism, BSc and PhD in Divinity. He was educated at Khana County Council school Ogoni Rivers state. All Saints Secondary school Aba, Niger Delta Technical College now Boys Technical College Aba in Abia state. He also attended South Florida Christian College, Maimi Florida USA, School of Journalism and Television Prishan Hermitage, United Kingdom and Burke Bible College, Kentucky, USA.