The General Overseer and founder of the Living Christ Gospel Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Primate Nathaniel Olorunshola, who passed on, on October 16, 2025, at the age of 73 years in the United States of America is set to be buried on the 7th February this year.
His death, according to his first son and now the General Overseer of the church, His Eminence, Most Reverend, Dr Otis Olorunsola marked the end of an era for one of Nigeria’s most respected spiritual and iconic leaders.
Addressing journalist, Reverend Dr. Otis Olorunshola, described his late father, late Primate Nathanieĺ Olorunsola as a courageous, hardworking, and deeply loving man of God who dedicated his lifetime entirely to the ministry. “Everything he has, his strength, wisdom, and time was for the church,” Dr. Otis Olorunshola said, also, emphasizing his father’s global influence and commitment to helping others.
Late primate Olorunsola was a kindred of Ikole Ekiti but by circumstances, a native of Ayede Ekiti, both in Egbeoba in the then Ekiti North Local Government Area. The late Primate’s rise to global fame did not come on a platter of gold, between 1970 and January1972, he worked as a house help and labourer, doing menial jobs to make ends meet because he could not further his academic pursuit.
In his continued struggle to be successful in life, he came to Ado Ekiti in February, 1972 to learn tailoring job, a job he mastered and reluctantly relinquished when he was called to the service of God. Even though his prophetic calling had earlier been prophesied while he was still in the womb of his mother, late Primate Nathaniel Olorunsola glued to his new found vocation, ignoring the Lord’s calling while preferring to be a tailor.
This brazen disobedience to divine calling and instructions earned the late Primate numerous hardships and set backs which included, insanity and mysterious ailments that led to his purported death on three occasions which he miraculously survived.
Having undergone these undeserved punishments and trauma, late Olorunsola finally succumbed to the will of God. He started his ministerial service to God from the Church of the Lord Aladura before he singlehandedly founded the Living Christ Gospel Church Nigeria and Oversea in 1974.
According to his son, late Nathaniel Olorunshola’s ministry was built on patience, humility and faith, the qualities he lived by for decades before his death. His approach reflected the principle of tarrying, waiting on God for results without rushing.
Dr. Oties Olorunshola explained that his father’s passing opens a new chapter for the church. Drawing from John 16:7, he said that just as Jesus left His disciples to empower the Helper, the Primate’s departure allows continued spiritual guidance and leadership through the Spirit of truth.
He described his father as a hard working man, friendly, religious, very lovely and truthful. The new head of the Living Christ Gospel Church Nigeria and Oversea said, whenever his late father stood on a point, everybody knew he will not change his mind, noting further that he was not afraid to tell the truth at anytime.
Weeks before his death, subtle signs and prophecies indicated that the Primate’s time was near. Continuous prayers by the church and revelations confirmed these indications, underscoring his deep spiritual connection and foresight in ministry. He was known for speaking truth to power, and counselled Nigerian politicians with courage and integrity.
Reverend Otis said he wanted his father to be remembered for his indelible footprints and legacies he left behind which are, the works he did in the ministry, as an icon in the ministry and also, an icon in the field of spirituality.
Reverend Ipinlaye Abiodun Samuel, Chancellor of the church, noted that many leaders respected the Primate for his honesty, even when they disagreed and his fearless approach to leadership and guidance.
Ipinlaye said the late Primate is an embodiment of apostle and anywhere you see him, you will know him within five minutes because he will demonstrate the God’s gift in him. He noted further that, he knew how to win souls and anything deliverance, he was a spiritual giant and can move mountain.
Describing his qualities, Ipinlaye said the late minister of God was very courageous, bold and did not fear anything or anybody regardless of his status. “Baba’s humility cannot be overlooked and he was highly accommodating and a real man of faith, he can pray like David.
“He built over thirty five churches both in Nigeria and Oversea, ministers of God are uncountable who have come and gone. Also, he built children that he adopted and spiritual children apart from his biological children. His life exemplified devotion, prayer, and the ability to touch lives across Nigeria and overseas.” He said.
Family, friends, relations and the thirty-five branches globally, plans to honour the departed primate with befitting passage rites starting from Wednesday February 4 to Sunday February 8.
These Events include a Service of Songs, Night of Tribute, lying-in-state in his home town, Ayede Ekiti, burial at his hometown Ayede, and a concluding Thanksgiving service all following his explicit instructions.
Reflecting on his father’s life, Dr. Olorunshola emphasized lessons in integrity, patience, and truthfulness for ministers and followers. “The church will continue to grow stronger,” he affirmed. “We rejoice because he died in the Lord, leaving a legacy no one can erase.”
