While entertainment, music, and comedy content dominate many digital spaces, one category continues to lead the way in Nigeria: faith-centered programming. Pastor Jerry Eze, the visionary behind Streams of Joy International and the host of the widely acclaimed New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD), has once again secured his position as Nigeria’s top-earning YouTuber.
Recent data from Playboard, a prominent YouTube analytics platform, reveals that Eze’s channel has sustained its leading position for the second year running, generating billions of naira and cementing his role as a pioneer in online ministry.
Pastor Eze’s journey exemplifies how religious outreach has evolved in the digital era. Born in 1982 in Umuahia, Abia State, and raised by a single mother, he pursued higher education, obtaining a degree in History and International Relations from Abia State University, followed by a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Enugu State University of Technology.
Before dedicating himself fully to ministry, he worked as a communications expert with the World Bank. His pastoral calling began in 2009, but it was the establishment of Streams of Joy International in 2013 that truly marked a turning point in his spiritual mission.
The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a pivotal moment. With physical church gatherings halted, Eze launched NSPPD on YouTube in November 2019. His daily prayer broadcasts, anchored by the powerful motto “What God Cannot Do Does Not Exist,” drew countless viewers seeking spiritual solace during uncertain times. By combining passionate prayers, prophetic messages, and inspiring testimonies of healing and breakthroughs, the channel blossomed into a worldwide spiritual movement.
Currently, NSPPD boasts 2.87 million subscribers, a significant rise from 2.12 million the previous year. With over 2,900 videos amassing 643 million views to date, the channel’s live streams attract an average of 282,000 viewers daily. In 2025 alone, approximately 80 million people globally have engaged with the content, highlighting the expansive reach of digital faith communities beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Pastor Eze’s impressive earnings alongside his ministry
What distinguishes Pastor Eze is not only his vast influence but also his remarkable income. Playboard’s statistics indicate that his channel earns an average of N1.94 million every day. In just the past 24 hours, it generated close to N8 million, and weekly earnings have surpassed N47.7 million. His total YouTube revenue for 2025 has soared to an astonishing N10.71 billion, up from N7.81 billion in 2024.
A significant portion of this income stems from YouTube’s Super Chat feature, where viewers pay to have their messages highlighted during live sessions. For many of Eze’s followers, these donations accompany prayer requests or shared testimonies, making his channel one of the most lucrative faith-based platforms worldwide.
In fact, in February 2025, his Super Chat revenue ranked second internationally, trailing only behind American sports YouTuber Tom Grossi.
Although Pastor Eze’s net worth is estimated at around $2 million-boosted by church activities, book sales, and speaking engagements-he consistently emphasizes that his primary focus remains spiritual rather than financial.
“These testimonies are evidence that we are living in the era of God’s mighty power,” he frequently affirms.
Faith-based channels dominate Nigeria’s YouTube earnings
Even more remarkable than Eze’s individual success is the broader pattern: all of Nigeria’s top five YouTube earners in 2025 are faith-oriented channels. This trend, consistent with 2024’s rankings, reflects a growing cultural shift in how Nigerians consume digital content.
Playboard’s list includes “Paul S. Joshua’s” channel, led by Paul S. Joshua, Senior Pastor of The Refiner’s House Ministries; “Dunamis TV,” managed by Dunamis International Gospel Centre under Pastor Paul Enenche; “Celebration TV,” the media outlet of Omega Fire Ministries founded by Apostle Johnson Suleman; and “Rev. Sam Oye,” run by Reverend Sam Oye, Founder and Lead Pastor of The Transforming Church.
Reasons behind the flourishing of spiritual content in Nigeria
Several elements contribute to this remarkable growth. Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is deeply religious and increasingly connected online. Over half of its population identifies as Christian, and the demand for spiritual guidance has intensified amid ongoing economic hardships.
Simultaneously, YouTube’s reach has expanded dramatically: the number of channels earning between $6,000 and $66,000 annually doubled in 2024, and more than 1,500 Nigerian channels now have over 100,000 subscribers. Data usage has surged by 700% since 2019, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission.
Faith-based content resonates because it fulfills both spiritual and emotional needs. Unlike entertainment or comedy, prayer streams foster a sense of belonging and immediacy. The interactive nature of live broadcasts, where viewers’ names and messages appear on screen, deepens the connection between pastors and their audience.
Pastor Jerry Eze’s rise is more than a personal achievement; it symbolizes the emergence of the digital pulpit. Nigerian content creators are demonstrating that spiritual purpose and financial success can coexist, with faith channels reshaping the concept of online community building.
Nevertheless, this trend invites scrutiny. Some critics call for greater transparency regarding the use of Super Chat donations, while others express concern about the commercialization of religion. Yet, for millions who share stories of miracles and breakthroughs through these online ministries, the impact is undeniable.
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