Temitope Balogun Joshua, one of Africa’s most popular televangelists who was known as T.B. Joshua, has died. He was 57.
The Nigerian-born pastor was founder of the megachurch Synagogue Church Of All Nations, or SCOAN, which also runs the Emmanuel Television Station in Lagos.
BREAKING: According to report from Nigeria Pastor TB Joshua has passed away at Age 57, the pastor’s birthday is just around the corner 12 June🤦😥
— l'm_Nasuba (@De_essieno) June 6, 2021
REST IN PEACE MAN OF GOD🙏😥😢#TBJoshua pic.twitter.com/O9Yd8R087x
The church announced his death in a statement Sunday. No cause of death was given.
“God has taken His servant Prophet T.B Joshua home — as it should be by divine will,” the church said, adding that “his last moments on earth were spent in the service of God. This is what he was born for, lived for and died for.”
Prophet T.B Joshua passes on, may your soul rest in peace 🙏😢😭😭 pic.twitter.com/6AWsXGK1o6
— Bumble Bee🇬🇭 🐝 (@Wise_Ant_01) June 6, 2021
T.B. Joshua was noted for making predictions and for his claims to cure various ailments and to make people prosper through miracles. He was, however, controversial, with critics questioning his claims and saying he profited off of people seeking hope.
More than 15,000 people from Nigeria and abroad attend SCOAN’s Sunday services.
Shocked & saddened by the untimely pass-on of my friend, and spiritual guardian, #ProphetTbJoshua. He hosted me at his Lagos SCOAN & prayed privately for me & TZ... a country he loved! Indeed, gone too soon! RIP my brother, TB! Daaah! pic.twitter.com/3g4GWB3y3q
— Freeman Mbowe (@freemanmbowetz) June 6, 2021
Many African presidents, senior government officials, international soccer players, musicians and other high-profile guests have worshipped in the church. He was popular in many African countries, and in South America where he had held many religious crusades.
In September 2014, the guest house of the church collapsed, killing more than 100 people, most of them foreigners who were in Nigeria to attend his services.
#Nigeria After the TB Joshua church collapse in 2014, the Uyo church collapse this weekend again kills scores https://t.co/ZqVpKfm7lb
— Humanists International (@HumanistsInt) December 12, 2016
While authorities say the building collapsed because of structural defects, T.B. Joshua insisted the building was blown up by a small plane that he claimed flew over it shortly before it came down.
Shocked to hear about the death of TB Joshua, in this challenging time of Nigeria
— Frankie (@calmefrankie) June 6, 2021
Oghene wetin dey occur#TBJosua #SynagogueChurchOfAllNations
Joshua is survived by his widow and three children.