There are men whose lives read like open books of divine encounters, whose journeys remind us that faith is not a theory but a lived experience. Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai was one of such men. His life, from its humble beginnings to its global impact, stood as a testament to what God can do through a heart wholly yielded to Him. Though words may never fully capture the depth and lasting impact of his life and ministry, his legacy remains a story of faith, resilience, and miracles that still move hearts today.
Early life
Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai’s story begins in Asaga, Ohafia, a quiet community in Abia State, Nigeria. An Igbo man by origin, he came into the world on 7 January 1945, into a life that would test and ultimately refine him. His childhood was steeped in adversity. At the tender age of ten, he lost his father—an event that forced him to shoulder responsibilities far beyond his years. His grief was compounded by another cruel blow: his mother was poisoned. Reflecting on those early years, he once said, “I know what it means to lose a father and be a father from that age. I know what it is to save money to pay school fees. So, I have feelings for the poor. I learnt early enough to know that the stone Satan throws at you can become a stepping stone.”
Though his parents were not Christians, God’s hand was evident upon his life from the beginning. An old man once told his mother that her son was not an ordinary child and warned her never to allow him to serve as a houseboy or cook for anyone. Having already lost several children, she clung to that prophecy and protected him with fierce devotion, often saying she would do anything to keep him alive.
In 1958, at just thirteen, young Rev. Dr. Uma made the most important decision of his life—he gave his heart to Christ. That singular act marked the beginning of a journey that would touch nations and transform countless lives.
Education
Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai’s pursuit of knowledge reflected his deep hunger for growth and purpose. He began his formal education at Uma Ukpai Memorial Primary School, Asaga, before continuing at Khana County Council School, Ogoni. His secondary education took him to All Saints Secondary School, Aba, and later to Niger Delta Technical School, now known as Boys Technical College, Aba. Driven by determination, he furthered his education abroad. He attended the School of Journalism and Television, Frisham, Hermitage, in the United Kingdom, before proceeding to the South Florida Christian College, Miami, USA; Carolina Christian University; and Burke Bible College, Kentucky, USA. Through his studies, he obtained a Certificate in Electrical Engineering Practice, a Diploma in Journalism, and both Bachelor’s and Doctorate degrees in Divinity.
Ministry
Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai’s ministry began not in grandeur but in quiet obedience. What started as small prayer gatherings in his living room eventually grew into a worldwide movement. In the early 1970s, he founded the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association (UUEA) — a ministry that would become a powerhouse of evangelism, healing, deliverance, education, and humanitarian service. Through the UUEA, Dr. Ukpai traversed continents proclaiming the Gospel in power. His crusades were not mere events; they were divine visitations that drew multitudes hungry for God. Among his most historic crusades were the Greater Ibadan for Christ Crusade (1982), the Greater Lagos for Christ Crusade (1985), the Greater Ohafia for Christ Crusade, Nsukka 2012, and the Anioma One-Million Man Crusade (2016).
The Greater Lagos Crusade remains legendary. Held at the National Stadium, Surulere, it gathered over 23,000 prayer volunteers, 5,000 choir members, and thousands of counsellors ministering to new converts. The atmosphere turned Lagos into what he described as “a prayer parlour.” That single crusade led to the birth of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) — a nationwide coalition of Pentecostal leaders. “There was no PFN before then,” he recalled. “We gave birth to it… Every part of Nigeria cooperated and supported the programme. It is still being sustained till now.” For Dr. Ukpai, ministry was never about fame but faithfulness. “It is not about me,” he often said. “It’s about God making a promise and fulfilling it in the lives of His people.” Even after enduring immense personal loss — including the tragic drowning of two of his children and two cousins — he continued preaching the very next day. His strength baffled many, but to him, it was simply obedience. “I was deeply grieved,” he said, “but God is faithful and doing His bidding.”
The UUEA grew to include several outreach arms, including the Uma Ukpai College of Business, the Uma Ukpai Foundation, and the Uma Ukpai School of Theology. His wife, Dr. Philomena Uma Ukpai, was a steadfast partner, working alongside him to empower believers through initiatives such as the Uma Ukpai Sustainable Wealth Creation Scheme and the Uma Ukpai Fashion Week, which trained and empowered hundreds of youths, particularly women.
Every crusade, every sermon, every project carried one unshakable message: “All things are possible to them that believe.”
Humanitarian and educational impact
Beyond the pulpit, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai embodied the Gospel of practical love. He believed that faith should heal not only the soul but also the body and the land. His compassion birthed several humanitarian and educational institutions that have touched thousands of lives across Nigeria and beyond.
In 2000, he established the King of Kings Specialist Hospital in Ohafor, Ohafia Local Government Area — a 24-hour medical facility providing affordable healthcare to underserved communities. In 2016, he founded the Uma Ukpai Eye Centre in Asaga Ohafia, which has since performed over 500 successful cataract surgeries and provided eye care services to more than 100 rural communities across Abia, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States.
His vision for holistic ministry extended to education. The Uma Ukpai School of Theology and Biblical Studies (UUST), founded in 2008 and affiliated with the University of Uyo, offers degrees in Theology, Ministry, and Christian Leadership, shaping the next generation of ministers. In 2017, he established the Uma Ukpai Polytechnic in Asaga-Ohafia, accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), to train young Nigerians in Computer Science, Engineering, and Business Administration.
He also founded the Joseph Business School, an affiliate of the prestigious Chicago-based institution, to equip believers with leadership and entrepreneurship skills rooted in biblical principles. Through the Uma Ukpai Scholarship Foundation, countless students have received financial support to pursue their dreams.
In 2022, he laid the foundation for the Uma Ukpai Prayer City in Isiugwu-Ohafia, envisioned to seat 120,000 people, making it one of the largest auditoriums in the world. For Rev. Ukpai, it was not just an architectural vision but a spiritual landmark — a “place where humanity will meet divinity.”
Miracles and divine encounters
Every Abia crusade, every gathering under the ministry of Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, was marked by extraordinary manifestations of God’s power. Wherever he went, the atmosphere seemed charged with faith, expectation, and the undeniable presence of the Holy Spirit. People came burdened with pain, sickness, and despair — and left with testimonies that defied human explanation.
The first miracle in his life came a day after he gave his heart to Christ and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. While at Khana County Council Secondary School in Rivers State, a madman known as Deco stormed the school, sending teachers and students fleeing in fear. In that moment, young Rev. Dr. Uma heard God’s voice within him: “You too can sack the madman.” Acting in faith, he commanded the man to roll out of the school. To everyone’s astonishment, Deco obeyed — and as he rolled away, he cried, “Do you know that I am naked?” The once-violent man was instantly restored to sanity.
By 1971, his passion for souls had led him to become the first missionary at Ahmadu Bello University. A year later, he pioneered the same move at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. During one of his teaching sessions there, something extraordinary happened — Jesus appeared to him twice. The divine encounter left a lasting imprint on his spirit. Not long after, a man from America who attended one of his teachings was so moved that he adopted him as a son and provided funds for his journey to the United States. That trip would open yet another chapter of ministry that touched nations.
There were times when God’s power showed up not just in meetings, but in moments of danger. One night, armed robbers came to his home. But as they tried to break in, the gate began to move up and down on its own, as if an unseen hand was guarding the entrance. Stunned and powerless, the men surrendered and begged Rev. Dr. Uma to pray for them.
In another unforgettable experience, while going for a ministration in an Arab country, he suddenly found himself speaking their language — a tongue he had never learned. God had changed his speech in that moment, enabling him to communicate effectively.
Even in moments of danger, his confidence in God never wavered. During a trip to Aba for a supposed ministration, he and his wife were kidnapped. The captors demanded his car and money, but he refused, declaring that he would only give them up if God told him to. Frustrated, they handed him a cup filled with poison. Holding it up, he said calmly, “I drink you as tea; you must function as tea. If you go beyond the boundaries of tea, whatever God will do to you, don’t call my name.” Then he drank it. Hours later, he walked out of captivity alive and untouched.
His life was a stream of supernatural stories. In 1985, while smuggling Bibles into China with a friend — risking a twenty-year jail term if caught — they began to pray in tongues at the Kenton border. Just as the officers were about to inspect their bags, the scanning machine broke down. Without hesitation, the officials waved them through.
The same presence that saved him in danger also healed many through his ministry. A woman once received a brand-new womb after being diagnosed with cancer of the uterus. His own first son, born crippled, was healed during a worship session after a divine prompting from the Holy Spirit.
Each miracle whispered the same truth: that with unshakable faith, nothing is impossible.
