A new wave of faith-driven entrepreneurs is rising across Africa — bold business leaders who are unapologetically merging their Christian beliefs with their professional ambitions. In Nigeria especially, many of these visionaries see their careers not just as profit-driven ventures, but as divine assignments — missions to empower people, transform communities, and serve God through enterprise.
They call it “Marketplace Ministry” or “Kingdom Business” — a movement that sees the boardroom as an altar and business strategy as a form of worship. These entrepreneurs aren’t just attending church; they’re running companies with biblical principles as their compass. For them, the Bible isn’t only a spiritual guide but a business manual filled with timeless wisdom on leadership, ethics, and stewardship.
Here are five inspiring Christian entrepreneurs who are blending faith and finance — and proving that purpose and profit can coexist beautifully.
1. Cosmas Maduka – The Evangelist Industrialist
Cosmas Maduka’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and divine purpose. The billionaire businessman and founder of Coscharis Group began his entrepreneurial journey as a child. After losing his father at age six, he dropped out of school to help his mother by selling akara (bean cakes).
By 17, he had already ventured into the auto parts business, though his early efforts met setbacks — including being dismissed by his uncle over a ₦200 misunderstanding. But Maduka never gave up. In 1977, with just ₦300 and a heart full of faith, he founded Coscharis Motors — a name formed from “Cosmas” and his wife “Charity.”
His big break came in 1982 when his company was among the few granted import licenses by the Nigerian government. Today, Coscharis Group has grown into a $500 million conglomerate spanning manufacturing, ICT, petrochemicals, and automotive distribution for brands like Range Rover, Ford, and Jaguar.
For Maduka, business is more than profit — it’s ministry. A passionate preacher of the gospel, he frequently speaks about integrity and godliness in business. In 2025, he received a national award for business leadership, further cementing his legacy as both a faith-driven entrepreneur and an industrial trailblazer.
2. Chizoba Esther Christian – Media Maven with a Mission
Former beauty queen Chizoba Esther Christian is a shining example of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. As the founder and CEO of Daystar4Ps Inc., one of Africa’s leading publishing and media companies, she has built a platform that amplifies Christian voices and business innovation across the continent.
Chizoba merges faith, media, and entrepreneurship to inspire others, proving that spirituality and creativity can thrive together. She credits her upbringing in the church for shaping her worldview — one that insists that influence must serve purpose and profit must align with impact. Through her work, she continues to redefine how faith-based media can empower minds and transform culture.
3. Olatayo Ajiboye – Building a City Without Poverty
For Olatayo Ajiboye, business success began with surrender. The Chairman of Talentcity International Limited and founder of the Billionaire Christian Movement (BCM) wasn’t always successful — in fact, his journey started in hardship.
In 2010, while living in an uncompleted building and struggling to find direction, he attended the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Kubwa, Abuja. A year later, at a special event titled “A Day Out with Daddy GO”, he gave away his last money as an offering — a moment he describes as a turning point that led to a divine vision.
That vision birthed BCM, a faith-based community aimed at raising “billionaire Christians” who run their businesses on biblical financial principles. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: “Your business isn’t just yours — it’s part of a larger mission.” Today, he mentors young entrepreneurs on how faith can fuel financial success and societal transformation.
4. Stephen Akintayo – The Apostle in the Marketplace
Dr. Stephen Akintayo is one of Nigeria’s leading voices in real estate and a passionate advocate for using entrepreneurship as a tool for empowerment. Growing up in hardship after losing his father, he began selling books door-to-door before building Gtext Holdings, a multinational company with interests in real estate, agriculture, fintech, and renewable energy.
Akintayo calls himself an “Apostle in the Marketplace” — a term that reflects his belief that business can be a ministry. Through his Stephen Akintayo Foundation, he has empowered over 10,000 entrepreneurs with grants, mentorship, and training. His Gtext Academy also offers courses in financial literacy and investment.
For him, wealth is not just about accumulation but about contribution. As he puts it: “My mission is not just to build houses, but to build people — to raise Christians who can fund the gospel through enterprise.”
5. Ibukun Awosika – Where Leadership Meets Purpose
Few names carry as much weight in Nigeria’s business and faith circles as Ibukun Awosika. A trailblazer in corporate leadership, she made history as the first female Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria. Though her tenure ended in 2021, it marked a turning point — leading her to embrace entrepreneurship and mentorship more fully.
As founder and CEO of The Chair Centre Group, Awosika has built a thriving furniture manufacturing business guided by her core values: integrity, service, and purpose. A passionate Christian speaker and author, she often says, “Your business is your pulpit.”
She co-founded the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI) to raise faith-driven professionals who embody Christ-like principles in business. To Awosika, success is not defined by wealth but by the ability to lead with integrity and leave a lasting impact.
Faith + Finance: A Powerful Partnership
These five entrepreneurs prove that faith and finance are not opposing forces but powerful partners. They’re rewriting the narrative that business is purely about profit — showing instead that it can also be a force for purpose, ethics, and positive change.
In an era where many young Nigerians are turning to entrepreneurship, their examples shine brightly. They mentor, invest, and uplift others, demonstrating that integrity and success can go hand in hand.
Their stories remind us that the marketplace is not separate from ministry — it’s another way to serve God, build communities, and create lasting impact.
In this new generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs, faith fuels ambition, purpose drives growth, and business becomes a calling.
