KEY POINTS
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Renowned evangelist Uma Ukpai dies at 80 after six decades of global ministry.
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His ministry shaped lives through teachings, mentorship, and humanitarian work.
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Family calls his death a “glorious transition” and promises funeral details soon.
Lifetime of service and spiritual impact
Renowned Nigerian evangelist Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, founder of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, died at the age of 80.
His family confirmed the passing of the respected preacher in a statement on Monday, saying he died on October 6, 2025. They described his death as a “glorious transition” after a lifetime of unwavering devotion to the Christian faith and humanity.
For more than six decades, Ukpai’s ministry stood as one of the most influential voices in Nigerian evangelism. Known for his commanding presence and fiery preaching, he touched millions of lives through crusades, teaching conferences, and humanitarian outreach. His work cut across denominational and national lines, inspiring generations of believers to pursue deeper spiritual conviction and community service.
Uma Ukpai’s ministry leaves lasting legacy
The family noted that Ukpai’s life embodied a unique combination of passion, humility, and integrity. “He was a faithful soldier of the cross who devoted his life to spreading the gospel,” they wrote. His teachings, prophetic insights, and mentorship, they added, are still influencing countless believers.
Over the course of his global ministry, Ukpai became widely respected not just for his evangelical zeal but for his leadership training and educational initiatives. He invested in empowering pastors and lay leaders, ensuring that the message of faith would outlive him.
Beyond the pulpit, he was celebrated as a loving husband, devoted father, and mentor to many who looked to him as a guide in both faith and daily life. His humanitarian efforts and church projects across Nigeria and beyond remain testaments to his enduring influence.
According to Punch, while the family expressed sorrow over his passing, they said they take comfort in the belief that he “finished his race and is now resting in eternal praise.” They noted that funeral details would be announced later.
Ukpai’s legacy, shaped by more than sixty years of evangelism, lives on through the churches, schools, and social programmes he helped build. His life, the family added, reflected the scripture, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
