Tobi Adegboyega, the Nigerian-born pastor known for founding the Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, now called The Nxtion Family, has had a remarkable and turbulent journey from Lagos to London.
Arriving in the UK in 2005, he initially shared a room with his cousin, actor John Boyega, and worked as a kitchen porter before launching his church in 2008 with just three members.
Adegboyega’s ministry attracted attention for its bold approach to helping troubled youths, famously encouraging former gang members to lay down their weapons at the church altar.
This unconventional outreach earned both admiration and criticism as the church grew.
Beyond spiritual guidance, Adegboyega invested in the futures of young people, supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds with grants to attend prestigious universities such as Harvard and Cambridge.
His commitment to empowering youths spanned arts, politics, science, and fashion, reflecting a broad vision for change.
However, Adegboyega’s rise was shadowed by serious allegations.
Investigations accused the church of exploiting members financially, with claims of pressured donations and requests for large sums of money.
A BBC Panorama report revealed that Adegboyega once said it was acceptable for members to contribute at least one thousand pounds a month to the church, a statement that drew significant public scrutiny.
Although the Metropolitan Police reviewed the allegations and did not find sufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges.
In 2022, the church was ordered to shut down by the UK government after failing to account for nearly two million pounds of expenditures and displaying a troubling lack of transparency.
Despite the scandals, Adegboyega’s charitable efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Reports detail his support for ex-convicts, many of whom he housed to help prevent reoffending.
He has also launched initiatives aimed at reducing youth poverty in Nigeria through job creation and waste management projects, as well as mobilising aid during the COVID-19 pandemic in several African countries.
In a revealing turn, Adegboyega recently disclosed his battle with cancer during a sermon, sharing his journey of undergoing major surgery and his determination to overcome the disease.
Demonstrating his continued commitment to social causes, he pledged one hundred thousand pounds towards cancer awareness and treatment, focusing on young patients.
Tobi Adegboyega remains a polarising figure, admired by some for his bold ministry and social outreach, yet criticised for the controversies surrounding his church’s finances and leadership.
