President Tinubu Hails Late Evangelist Uma Ukpai as a ‘God’s General’ and National Spiritual Icon

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has joined the Nigerian Christian community in mourning the passing of the respected international evangelist and preacher, Dr. Uma Ukpai, who died on October 6, 2025, at the age of 80.

In a public statement, President Tinubu hailed the founder of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association (UUEA) as a “God’s General” whose spiritual impact was felt across Nigeria and beyond. The President’s message of condolence acknowledged the immense contributions of the late evangelist, who was also a key founding figure in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

“Dr. Uma Ukpai was a towering figure in the Christian faith, a man whose dedication to evangelism was matched by his commitment to social welfare,” President Tinubu stated. “His ministry was not confined to the pulpit; it extended into the lives of the poor and the sick through extensive medical outreaches and his philanthropic efforts.”

A native of Asaga in Ohafia, Abia State, Dr. Ukpai dedicated over six decades to his ministry, establishing a powerful legacy that includes the Uma Ukpai School of Theology and Biblical Studies, Uma Ukpai Polytechnic, and an eye centre and specialist hospital in his home state. His renowned city-wide crusades were credited with uniting different Christian denominations under the banner of faith.

President Tinubu offered prayers for the late evangelist’s family, including his wife, Pastor Philomena Uma Ukpai, and his followers, asking God to grant eternal rest to the soul of the departed spiritual icon.