Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai passes on at 80

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Breaking News 💔: Celebrated Evangelist Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai Dies at 80

UYO, AKWA IBOM — Revered Nigerian preacher Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai has reportedly passed away at the age of 80, leaving a void in the Christian community and sparking an outpouring of grief across Nigeria and beyond.

According to the official biography, Rev. Ukpai was born on January 7, 1945, in Asaga, Ohafia, Abia State. Sources now confirm he died on October 6, 2025, after a life marked by spiritual leadership, evangelistic outreach, and service to many.

A Life of Ministry and Impact

Rev. Ukpai founded the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association (UUEA), a non-denominational gospel ministry headquartered in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Over decades, he led crusades, healing services, and interdenominational initiatives across Nigeria and internationally.

His Greater Lagos Crusade is widely credited as a catalyst for the formation of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in 1985, uniting Pentecostal churches under a common umbrella.

He also oversaw medical outreach programs and ran institutions including the King of Kings Hospital and Uma Ukpai Eye Center.

Rev. Ukpai’s journey was mired with personal trials, yet he remained steadfast. As a child, he lost his father, and later in life, he suffered a tragic loss of two children in a car accident. In one account, he recounted how the vehicle carrying his children plunged into a river; though he attempted rescue, subsequent collisions claimed their lives. Through all the pain, he continued preaching, teaching that God’s sovereignty transcends personal suffering.

Reactions and Tributes

News of his passing has triggered an outpouring of condolences from church leaders, politicians, and ordinary believers. Many have described him as a “bridge builder” across denominational divides, a man whose influence shaped generations of ministers and laity alike.

Pastor E. A. Adeboye, among others, is expected to join tributes in the coming days, honoring the late evangelist’s legacy. (He previously ministered at Rev. Ukpai’s 80th birthday celebration in Uyo.)

Legacy and Final Reflections

Rev. Ukpai’s legacy endures in the institutions he built—the hospitals, the Bible schools, the evangelistic network—and in the countless lives he touched through preaching, healing, and mentorship.

His life illustrates a paradox: a man who experienced deep sorrows yet remained unwavering in faith. He often spoke of God’s testing, surrender, and the mystery of divine purpose amid human pain.

As Nigeria and the Church mourn, many are reflecting on what it means to serve faithfully “until the end.” Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai’s journey, with its triumphs and tragedies, now stands as part of the canon of modern Christian history in Nigeria.