LAGOS — Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s recent birthday celebration has ignited fresh debate across social platforms, as videos from the event continued to dominate timelines days after the festivities concluded. What began as a private honouring by those closest to him has now become a public talking point — one that has split opinion sharply.
Held at an exclusive venue in Lagos, the celebration brought together an eclectic mix of devoted church members, ministry leaders, dignitaries, and international friends of the ministry. The atmosphere was unmistakably grand: cascading floral installations, dramatic lighting, choreographed performances, and a level of organisation that suggested weeks of meticulous planning.
To his supporters, the event was not excessive — it was expected.
“People forget the impact this man has had on millions,” one attendee noted. “Honour isn’t just a word for us; it’s a culture.”
Others online echoed the sentiment, comparing the elaborate welcome received by Pastor Chris to the ceremonial protocols often granted to global figures, including the monarchs of the United Kingdom. “When the King of England steps out, the world understands the symbolism,” one commenter wrote. “Why shouldn’t a spiritual giant be celebrated too?”
But the spectacle did not sit well with everyone.
With many households in Nigeria navigating economic strain, critics questioned whether such a lavish celebration was the right message for this moment. Some described the event as “tone-deaf,” arguing that religious leaders should model restraint given the current climate.
A few commentators even suggested that the optics — the grandeur, the precision, the almost regal atmosphere — felt disconnected from the lived realities of some church members.
LoveWorld officials, however, offered a simple response: the event was entirely funded by voluntary contributions from individuals who desired to express gratitude, love, and honour. No ministry resources, they insisted, were diverted for the occasion.
What has made the story particularly magnetic is not merely the celebration itself, but the intensity of the reactions surrounding it. Supporters described it as beautiful, moving, and well deserved. Critics labelled it extravagant. Yet both sides agree on one thing: Pastor Chris remains a figure who consistently commands attention, admiration, scrutiny, and emotion — often all at once.
And as the online discourse continues to swell, one reality persists: whether celebrated or critiqued, his influence remains unignorable.
