Some individuals live lives that seem like open volumes filled with divine encounters, illustrating that faith transcends mere belief and is instead a dynamic, lived reality. Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai was one such remarkable figure. From modest origins to a worldwide influence, his journey exemplifies the extraordinary outcomes when a heart is fully surrendered to God. While no words can completely encapsulate the profound influence of his ministry and life, his enduring legacy is one of unwavering faith, perseverance, and miraculous testimonies that continue to inspire many.
Formative Years
Born on January 7, 1945, in the serene town of Asaga, Ohafia in Abia State, Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai’s early life was marked by hardship and resilience. As an Igbo native, he faced significant challenges from a young age, losing his father at just ten years old. This loss thrust upon him responsibilities far beyond his years. Tragedy compounded when his mother was poisoned, deepening the trials of his youth. Reflecting on these experiences, he once shared, “I understand what it means to lose a father and become one at such a young age. I know the struggle of saving money to pay school fees. These hardships gave me empathy for the less fortunate. I learned early that the obstacles Satan throws can become stepping stones.”
Although his parents were not followers of Christianity, divine protection was evident in his life from the start. A local elder once prophesied to his mother that her son was destined for greatness and warned her never to let him serve as a domestic worker. Having endured the loss of several children, she fiercely safeguarded him, determined to preserve his life at all costs.
At the age of thirteen, in 1958, Uma Ukpai made a life-altering commitment by dedicating his heart to Christ. This pivotal moment marked the commencement of a spiritual journey that would eventually impact countless lives across the globe.
Academic Pursuits
Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a sense of divine purpose, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai embarked on an extensive educational path. His early schooling began at Uma Ukpai Memorial Primary School in Asaga, followed by Khana County Council School in Ogoni. He continued his secondary education at All Saints Secondary School in Aba and later at Niger Delta Technical School (now Boys Technical College) in Aba. His quest for learning took him overseas, where he attended the School of Journalism and Television in Frisham, Hermitage, UK. He furthered his studies in the United States at South Florida Christian College in Miami, Carolina Christian University, and Burke Bible College in Kentucky. Throughout his academic journey, he earned a Certificate in Electrical Engineering Practice, a Diploma in Journalism, and both Bachelor’s and Doctorate degrees in Divinity.
Spiritual Leadership and Ministry
Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai’s ministry began humbly, rooted in obedience and faith. What started as intimate prayer meetings in his home blossomed into a global evangelistic movement. In the early 1970s, he established the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association (UUEA), a ministry that became renowned for its evangelism, healing, deliverance, education, and humanitarian outreach. Through UUEA, Dr. Ukpai traveled extensively, preaching the Gospel with power and conviction. His crusades were transformative events that attracted multitudes eager for spiritual renewal. Notable crusades include the Greater Ibadan for Christ Crusade (1982), Greater Lagos for Christ Crusade (1985), Greater Ohafia for Christ Crusade, Nsukka Crusade (2012), and the Anioma One-Million Man Crusade (2016).
The Greater Lagos Crusade stands out as a landmark event. Hosted at the National Stadium in Surulere, it mobilized over 23,000 prayer volunteers, 5,000 choir members, and thousands of counselors ministering to new believers. The city was transformed into what Dr. Ukpai described as “a sanctuary of prayer.” This crusade also catalyzed the formation of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), uniting Pentecostal leaders nationwide. “Before that, PFN did not exist,” he recalled. “We birthed it… Every region of Nigeria supported the initiative, and it continues to thrive.” For Dr. Ukpai, ministry was never about personal acclaim but about faithfulness to God’s promises. “It’s not about me,” he often emphasized. “It’s about God fulfilling His word in the lives of His people.” Even in the face of profound personal tragedies, including the drowning of two of his children and two cousins, he remained steadfast, preaching the very next day. “Though deeply saddened,” he said, “God remains faithful and continues His work.”
The UUEA expanded to include various outreach programs such as 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 dedicated partner, collaborating on initiatives like the Uma Ukpai Sustainable Wealth Creation Scheme and Uma Ukpai Fashion Week, which empowered hundreds of youths, especially women, through skills training and entrepreneurship.
Every sermon, crusade, and project carried a consistent message: “All things are possible to those who believe.”
Contributions to Humanitarian and Educational Development
Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai’s commitment extended beyond spiritual teaching to practical expressions of love and service. He believed that faith should bring healing to the body and uplift communities. His compassion led to the establishment of numerous humanitarian and educational institutions benefiting thousands across Nigeria and beyond.
In 2000, he founded the King of Kings Specialist Hospital in Ohafor, Ohafia Local Government Area, a 24-hour medical center offering affordable healthcare to marginalized populations. Later, in 2016, he launched the Uma Ukpai Eye Centre in Asaga Ohafia, which has since conducted over 500 successful cataract surgeries and provided eye care to more than 100 rural communities in Abia, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States.
His vision for comprehensive ministry also embraced education. The Uma Ukpai School of Theology and Biblical Studies (UUST), established in 2008 and affiliated with the University of Uyo, offers degree programs in Theology, Ministry, and Christian Leadership, nurturing future church leaders. In 2017, he inaugurated the Uma Ukpai Polytechnic in Asaga-Ohafia, accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), to equip young Nigerians in fields such as Computer Science, Engineering, and Business Administration.
Additionally, he founded the Joseph Business School, affiliated with a prestigious Chicago institution, to train believers in leadership and entrepreneurship grounded in biblical values. Through the Uma Ukpai Scholarship Foundation, numerous students have received financial aid to pursue their academic ambitions.
In 2022, he broke ground for the Uma Ukpai Prayer City in Isiugwu-Ohafia, designed to accommodate 120,000 worshippers, positioning it among the world’s largest auditoriums. For Rev. Ukpai, this was more than a building; it was a spiritual beacon-a “meeting place where heaven touches earth.”
Supernatural Experiences and Miracles
Every crusade and gathering under Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai’s leadership was characterized by remarkable demonstrations of divine power. Wherever he ministered, the environment was charged with faith, hope, and the palpable presence of the Holy Spirit. People burdened by illness, despair, and hardship left with testimonies that defied natural explanation.
His first recorded miracle occurred shortly after his conversion and baptism in the Holy Spirit. While attending Khana County Council Secondary School in Rivers State, a mentally disturbed man named Deco invaded the school, causing panic. In that critical moment, young Uma Ukpai felt God’s prompting and boldly commanded the man to leave. To everyone’s amazement, Deco obeyed and, as he departed, exclaimed, “Do you know that I am naked?” The man was instantly restored to sanity.
By 1971, his zeal for evangelism led him to become the first missionary at Ahmadu Bello University, followed by pioneering similar work at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1972. During one teaching session, he experienced two visions of Jesus, profoundly impacting his spiritual journey. Shortly thereafter, an American attendee was so moved that he adopted Uma Ukpai as a spiritual son and sponsored his ministry trip to the United States, opening new avenues for global outreach.
God’s protection was evident in perilous moments as well. On one occasion, armed robbers attempted to break into his home, but the gate mysteriously moved up and down as if held by an invisible force, causing the intruders to surrender and request prayer instead.
In another extraordinary event, while ministering in an Arab nation, he suddenly began speaking the local language fluently, despite never having studied it. This divine gift enabled him to communicate effectively and minister powerfully.
Even when faced with kidnapping in Aba, he remained unshaken. His captors demanded his car and money, but he refused unless God instructed otherwise. When given a cup of poison, he calmly drank it, declaring it must act as tea. Miraculously, he emerged from captivity unharmed hours later.
His life was filled with supernatural accounts. In 1985, while smuggling Bibles into China-a risky act punishable by decades in prison-he and a companion prayed in tongues at the border. Just as officials prepared to inspect their luggage, the scanning machine malfunctioned, allowing them to pass without scrutiny.
His ministry was also marked by numerous healings. A woman diagnosed with uterine cancer reportedly received a new womb, and his firstborn son, born with a physical disability, was healed during a worship session following a divine prompting.
Each miracle underscored a profound truth: unwavering faith makes the impossible possible.