Where Is Primate Theophilus Olabayo?

In life, some people have crawled so that others may walk, some have walked so that others may run, and some have run so that others may fly.

There is nothing in existence that doesn’t have a beginning. And in the beginning, some people held the fort, so others could enjoy the benefits we see today.

In Nigeria's prophetic realm, Primate Theophilus Olabayo of the Evangelical Church of Yahweh Worldwide is one such pioneer, an icon who gave many of the prophets we see today the courage to delve into the spiritual space boldly.

His ministry and towering personality, observed and admired from afar, are among the reasons we still have fearless prophets in the country today. 

These are men who speak truth to power, regardless of the consequences. Without Primate Olabayo, many of them might still be confined within the four walls of their churches.

So the big question is: Where is Primate Theophilus Olabayo?

For the Gen Zs or newcomers unfamiliar with him, let’s take a dive into the journey of this phenomenal prophet, who was a formidable voice in Nigeria’s prophetic space, particularly in the 1990s.

A defining feature of Primate Olabayo’s ministry was the publication of a prophecy book titled Today, Tomorrow, which he began in 1975, long before the likes of Ositelu started publishing Asotele, also inspired by Olabayo’s model.

After him, we saw others like Professor Godspower Oyewole, Dr Gabriel Okunzua, and Bishop Okeke, who gained attention in 1978 but soon faded from the scene.

We then had the likes of Primate Elijah Ayodele (who began his ministry in 1995) and Prophet Marcus Tibetan, both recognised for their bold and fearless declarations.

Prophet T.B. Joshua followed, initially known only for miracles, in the late ’90s before he began issuing prophecies in the early 2000s.

There was also Bishop Nwake from Imo State, and in the early 2000s, Prophet Olagunju emerged.

Prophet Olawale Kogberegbe, who famously used caskets for evangelism, began with newspaper prophecies on Sketch Newspaper but disappeared after about four years.

From the 2000s came Apostle Johnson Suleman, who gained prominence with the phrase “Apostle Suleman all the way” and became popular for his prophecies around 2011. 

However, due to controversies and criticisms, the prophetic element of his ministry appears to have faded.

We also had Prophet Joshua Iginla, an Abuja-based preacher known for giving away over 32 cars during a birthday celebration in 2015.

Prophet Olujobi also made waves but has since struggled under the weight of criticism.

In 2022, Prophet Okikijesu emerged briefly and vanished within six months.

Even outside the Christian fold, Baba Eletuibon, an Ifa priest, once gave yearly prophecies in Atoka Oduduwa and Alaroye newspapers, though he is no longer in the spotlight.

We also had Apostle Omotosho Tope Joseph, who appeared during the 2015 elections but quickly faded out.

The new generation includes Bright the Seer and Prophet Boma, who are more prominent on platforms like TikTok.

While many prophets have come and gone, due to age, criticism, or other factors, only a few like Primate Elijah Ayodele, Prophet Marcus Tibetan, and Prophet Joshua Iginla remain active and influential in Nigeria’s prophetic space.

Notably, Ayodele and Tibetan seem to have followed Primate Olabayo’s path in publishing annual prophecy books. 

Ayodele has published Warnings to the Nations since 1995, while Tibetan has consistently released Revelations for years.

These two prophets share traits with Olabayo, courage, boldness, prophetic accuracy, and an unwavering commitment to divine messaging.

Given the grace they’ve enjoyed and the platforms they now command, one can’t help but ask: Why haven’t these prophets acknowledged Primate Olabayo more publicly?

Before their rise, Olabayo had already prophesied on international platforms. They watched him, and many were most likely mentored by him, if not directly, then from afar. Why then do they not celebrate this unique man of God?

Just as Olabayo never flinched in the face of criticism, Ayodele has also remained undaunted by name-calling. 

Today, he is arguably Nigeria’s most talked-about prophet. Likewise, Tibetan continues to deliver prophecies despite his critics. These are the very hallmarks that defined Olabayo’s ministry.

While Ayodele did visit Primate Olabayo’s church in 2014 to honour him and often refers to him in his press briefings as a true prophet, is that really enough? Why did it stop there?

Even if other, now-retired or inactive prophets lack the strength, Ayodele and Tibetan, who are still active, should take the lead in celebrating those who paved the way, especially someone like Olabayo. His legacy is unmatched and should not be forgotten.

This is where Christian associations like CAN, PFN, and Unification should step in, to honour the icons who have served for decades. But unfortunately, we rarely see this happen.

Still, we shouldn’t wait on these bodies.

This is a call to Primate Elijah Ayodele and Prophet Marcus Tibetan: pick up this responsibility. Primate Theophilus Olabayo deserves to be celebrated.

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