From Pulpit to Prediction: List of Pastors Who Predicted 2026; What They Said Will Shock You

As Nigeria and the global community step into 2026, the familiar spiritual ritual that accompanies every New Year once again took centre stage: prophetic declarations. From cathedral pulpits to prayer camps and global livestreams, some of Africa’s most influential Christian leaders released words they believe God has placed on their hearts concerning the year ahead.

These prophecies—delivered at crossover services, special watch nights and press conferences—span the breadth of human concern: national destiny, economic survival, global conflict, spiritual warfare, personal preservation and divine advancement. To critics, they raise questions of theology, scriptural balance, and commercialization. To millions of believers, however, they offer hope, direction, caution and a framework for prayer in an increasingly uncertain world.

A careful examination of the 2026 prophecies reveals not a single narrative, but a convergence of spiritual lenses—winds of change, wonders of grace, and warnings of warfare.

Adeboye: winds of change, hope for Nigeria

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, struck a largely optimistic tone, describing 2026 as “more remarkable than 2025.” Speaking during the church’s crossover service at the Redemption Camp along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Adeboye said the “wind that has been blowing since 2024” would continue — and even blow stronger.

According to him, the year holds increased opportunities, breakthroughs, successes, and victories, with fewer failures. He foretold that many testimonies in 2026 would begin with the phrase, “God remembered me at last.”

On the Nigerian front, Adeboye’s prophecy stood out sharply against prevailing socio-economic anxieties. He declared that hunger would decrease, small and medium enterprises would begin to flourish, and remarkably, that the much-discussed “japa” trend would reverse, as many Nigerians who had traveled abroad would return home.

Internationally, the cleric said the likelihood of a major global war in 2026 is lower than in the previous year, though he warned of possible major hurricanes, with weather patterns largely mirroring 2025.

Adeboye also addressed critics who mock prayer and fasting, stressing that God remains sovereign over the affairs of men. In a subtle but firm statement, he hinted that RCCG’s fasting programme would not follow predictable patterns, adding pointedly: “They are waiting for us to start fasting on January 11; we will disappoint them.”

Oyedepo: covenant assurance and all-round preservation

For Bishop David Oyedepo, Founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel), 2026 is a year of divine alignment rooted in love for God and commitment to His integrity.

Preaching at the church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, Oyedepo declared that “from January to December, all things will keep working together for your good.” His prophecy focused strongly on personal and family well-being, health, and longevity.

He assured worshippers that there would be no physical or emotional breakdown, no gathering for mourning, and that anyone appointed to death would be divinely set free. Medical verdicts of death, he said, are cancelled, while those currently on sick beds would experience liberation.

Oyedepo’s message leaned heavily on covenant confidence — that walking genuinely in love with God secures divine backing in every area of life. Unlike some others, his outlook carried fewer warnings and more declarations of preservation and continuity.

Olukoya: A year of speed, strangeness and spiritual warfare

In sharp contrast to the soothing assurances of hope, the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr. Daniel Olukoya, described 2026 as a fast, strange and troublesome year.”

Addressing worshippers at the Prayer City along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Olukoya warned that 2025 is spiritually “dovetailing” into 2026, suggesting unresolved battles spilling over into the New Year.

He declared that the tables of “evil traders in churches” would be turned upside down and warned of renewed strategies by the kingdom of darkness, particularly targeted at children. According to him, much damage has already been done, necessitating intensified prayer.

Olukoya urged believers to pray against strange occurrences, including fire outbreaks and unexplained disasters, while also warning that traitors, disloyal individuals and unfaithful spouses would face divine judgment. Yet, amid the warnings, he assured the faithful that 2026 would also be a year of great deliverance and fresh glory for those who remain prayerful.

In a practical move, he outlined 20 survival keys for the year, ranging from regular fasting, violent faith and disciplined living to holiness, diligence, honesty, and constant praise. His message framed 2026 as a spiritual battlefield where preparedness determines outcome.

One Year, Different Lenses

When viewed together, the prophecies of Adeboye, Oyedepo and Olukoya present a multifaceted spiritual forecast. Adeboye highlights national healing and economic hope, Oyedepo emphasizes personal covenant benefits and preservation, while Olukoya underscores spiritual vigilance and warfare.

Rather than contradicting one another, the messages seem to complement — suggesting that while divine opportunities and relief may emerge, they will not come without challenges that require prayer, discipline and moral uprightness.

David Ibiyeomie: “My year of continuous advancement.”

Founder and Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, framed 2026 as a year of progressive glory and unstoppable advancement

Drawing from Proverbs 4:18, he declared that the path of the righteous would shine brighter, insisting that believers would experience advancement in **every area of life—spiritually, materially and socially.

“I got a word for your life: you will advance in every area of your life. The glory of God will be revealed over your life,” he affirmed.

Referencing biblical protection in Goshen during Egypt’s plagues, Ibiyeomie assured worshippers that despite chaos, losses and calamities around, God’s people would be exempt.

“There shall be no loss,” he declared, urging believers to speak it boldly and confidently.

Johnson Suleman: “A year of no limits, public vindication.”

Declaring 2026 as a year of unusual access and favour, The President, Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Suleman assured members—popularly called Omega Children—that the coming months would usher them into spheres previously considered unreachable.

“The year 2026, you shall be sitting with kings and eating with the greats. It shall be favoured without asking,” he proclaimed.

According to him, 2026 will demand absolute consecration and purity of heart, stressing that spiritual alignment would be key to maximising divine opportunities. He described the year as one of precision and divine efficiency: “No target missed, no time wasted.”

Among the highlights of his prophecies were strong declarations of preservation and security, as he assured worshippers that they would not die prematurely nor bury their children. He further stated that nations would serve God’s people as they served God, with no limits, no boundaries, no barriers.”

Suleman also spoke of accelerated progress, overflowing anointing, multiplied grace, and empowered talents. He declared that deception would not thrive around believers and that they would be heavily defended and heavily secured.”

In a global prophetic sweep, the cleric extended the blessings across continents, naming countries from Armenia to Australia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, declaring prosperity, peace and open doors for Omega Fire members worldwide.

Apostle Joshua Selman: “You Will Not Die”

Founder of Eternity Network International (Koinonia Global), Apostle Joshua Selman, focused his prophetic charge on life, preservation and victory over fear, particularly amid crises.

Speaking directly to Nigerians and believers worldwide, Selman urged them not to be overwhelmed by negative occurrences or looming dangers.

“I don’t care what crisis finds you around—death or otherwise… As one sent of God and sent by God, this year you will not die,” he declared emphatically.

In a moment charged with emotion and authority, he repeated the proclamation, saying he had “shut the mouth of the grave” concerning God’s people, reinforcing a central theme of divine protection and triumph over mortality in 2026.

Prophet Joshua Iginla: national drama, political consolidation

Turning attention to Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, Prophet Joshua Iginla offered a prophetic outlook marked by symbolism, intrigue and power tussles.

According to him, 2026 would be a year in which the nation would be “high,” but not without increased drama. He predicted that the ruling party would consolidate its position, yet face intense internal and external battles.

Describing the struggle as “a fight between an elephant and a lion,” Iginla said power would swing between forces, with confidence—not size—determining dominance.

He also alluded to political betrayals and subtly referenced Labour Party leader Peter Obi, stating:

“The star is on his head. When he will become president, I don’t know. But if I were him, I would not try to be a deputy to anybody. It would be like selling your birthright.”

The prophet further warned of widespread betrayal within political circles and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritise his health over politics. “It is only the living that can rule a country,” he said, offering similar advice to Senate President Godswill Akpabio to take personal health seriously.

Commenting on Rivers State, Iginla again spoke in parables, warning that prolonged dominance without restraint could expose hidden weaknesses. He also expressed concern that winning elections alone would not be enough for the ruling party, stressing the need to win the hearts of Nigerians amid economic hardship and dissatisfaction, particularly around new tax policies.

Beyond politics, the cleric warned that persecution of the Church would intensify in 2026, while the errors of some pastors would be exposed. He urged believers to develop personal faith in God rather than idolising religious leaders.

Iginla disclosed that he had documented extensive prophecies for the world but said God instructed him to keep them sealed for now. He maintained that the few revelations shared were divinely inspired, adding that his prophetic journey over the past decades has consistently aligned with fulfilled revelations.

He concluded by assuring worshippers that although many currently appear ordinary, divine elevation awaits some before the end of the year, declaring that “some of you will be billionaires,” not as a prayer, but as a prophetic insight.

Ayodele releases prophecies, warns of political, economic, global tensions

The Servant of the Most High God, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, has released his 2025/2026 prophecies, warning of political betrayals, economic volatility, security challenges and global crises. He delivered the message on recently at World Press Conference on 2025/2026 Prophecies for Nigeria and Beyond.

Ayodele said the period ahead would be marked by intense political manoeuvring, heightened insecurity and economic uncertainty. He warned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could face resistance from some Northern elders, internal betrayals and opposition blackmail, while political parties may engage in vote-buying ahead of 2027. He also predicted cabinet changes and political setbacks for some ministers.

On security, the cleric foresaw disunity within the security architecture, increased kidnappings, attacks on public institutions and threats to political office holders. Economically, he predicted fluctuations despite efforts to curb inflation, warning that Treasury Bills could destabilise some banks, while electricity, telecoms and oil sectors may face further disruptions.

Globally, Ayodele warned of rising tensions among major powers, prolonged conflicts in the Middle East, and crises involving Europe, Asia and the Americas, alongside possible natural disasters and accidents. He concluded that the prophecies were not meant to instil fear but to inspire prayer, vigilance and wise action as 2026 unfolds.

Yearly prophecies under scrutiny: Clerics call for discernment, faith, scriptural balance

Reacting to the torrent of prophecies that traditionally trail New Year crossover services across Nigeria, respected theologians have raised fundamental concerns about the biblical basis, motives and growing commercialization of annual prophetic pronouncements.

A theologian and Setman of Grace Missions International Pastor Evans Adetokunbo Emmanuel  questioned the scriptural origin of what has now become an entrenched religious culture.

“I honestly do not know where we got this culture from,” he said. “It is not the culture we inherited from the Bible. There is no precedent in Scripture where prophets of God gathered every year to announce what would happen in that particular year.”

While acknowledging that God can reveal future events, Pastor Emmanuel stressed that such revelations were never institutionalised as yearly rituals in the Bible.

.“I am not saying God cannot speak about the future—He does. But once it becomes a culture, we must look for a scriptural precedent, and we don’t have one. You don’t see Isaiah or Jeremiah declaring yearly forecasts for Israel.”

Anxiety-Driven Prophecies

According to him, the growing obsession with knowing what the future holds stems largely from human anxiety rather than faith.

“There is something carnal in man that does not want to live by faith. We want to live by sight. We want to know what will happen tomorrow, and that anxiety is exactly what Jesus warned against when He said, ‘Do not worry about tomorrow.’”

He observed that many prophecies circulating yearly are products of psychological calculations, not divine revelation.

“When people say a king will die or a celebrity will die, the probability is already high. Nobody prophesies that an unknown person in a neighbourhood will die. These prophecies are usually about influential people or sensational events. That is psychology, not prophecy.”

From Prophecy to Divination

Pastor Emmanuel warned that some modern prophetic practices have crossed the line into divination, particularly when predictions are churned out in large numbers and tied to money or popularity.

“When someone sits down and writes 200 or 250 prophecies for a year, you must ask: where did these come from? Many of these things are not from God.”

He cited the biblical example of the damsel with the spirit of divination, noting that the Spirit of God does not operate as a commercial enterprise.

“The Spirit of God does not function by trade. When prophecy becomes a tool for making money or gaining relevance, it is no longer the Spirit of Christ at work.”

The Believer and the Holy Spirit

Central to his argument is the belief that every believer already has the Holy Spirit, making excessive dependence on prophets unhealthy.

“Every child of God has the Spirit of God living in them. We don’t need constant external validation. If God wants you to know something, His Spirit will reveal it to you.”

While affirming the place of the prophetic ministry, he emphasized that it is not exclusive nor meant to replace personal communion with God.“

“The prophetic ministry exists to equip believers, not to make them dependent. There is nothing in the New Testament that says God cannot speak to you unless you see a prophet.”

Referencing Agabus, a New Testament prophet, Pastor Emmanuel noted that biblical prophecy served as information, not instruction.“

“Agabus foretold a famine and later warned Paul of what awaited him in Jerusalem, but he never told Paul what to do. Paul already knew by the Holy Spirit.”

Cultural Practice, Not Christian Doctrine-Olagunju

Similarly, Pastor Jummy Adetoyese-Olagunju of Kingdom Light Christian Center, also known as Praise Arena described most crossover prophecies in Nigeria as products of religious tradition and denominational doctrines, rather than Christian theology.

“There is a difference between prophetic declaration and prophetic revelation,” he explained. “Declarations of blessings are biblical and inspirational, but they should not be confused with revelations claiming foreknowledge of future events.”

He questioned why such prophecies are far more prevalent in Nigeria than elsewhere

“Is it only in this part of the world that people cross into a New Year? The predictable flood of prophecies suggests these practices are rooted more in culture than Christianity.”

According to him, low biblical literacy and ignorance of Scripture have fueled the popularity of presumptuous prophecies.

“Many misleading predictions are accepted as prophecy simply because of who said them. People are indoctrinated to believe the source rather than examine the message.”

Commercialisation and Confusion

Pastor Adetoyese-Olagunju  warned that many believers confuse desire-driven outcomes with divine fulfillment.

“People defend prophecies that align with their desires and call them fulfilled, even when they are not God’s will. This has led to the commercialization of prophecy.”

He lamented the rise of what he described as fake prophets, who exploit people’s fears, economic hardship and festive expectations.

“Some see visions according to the size of people’s pockets, committed only to making people feel good.”

The Fasting Controversy

Both clerics expressed concern over the practice of attaching prolonged fasting to the fulfillment of prophecies.

Pastor Adetoyese-Olagunju described the trend as dangerous, citing documented cases of organ failure linked to extreme fasting.

“Fasting does not commend or condemn a believer before God. It increases spiritual sensitivity but has no role in forcing prophecy or blessings.”

He emphasized that God responds to faith grounded in Christ’s finished work, not self-inflicted suffering.

A Call for Discernment

The clerics warned that fulfillment alone does not validate a prophet, citing biblical examples.

“Balaam made accurate prophecies but remained a false prophet,” Pastor Adetoyese-Olagunju  noted, adding that even Samuel once spoke presumptuously before God corrected him.

They urged believers to return to Scripture, faith and obedience, rather than living by predictions.“

“No prophecy can override disobedience,” Pastor Emmanuel stressed. “Live by God’s Word, follow the Spirit’s leading, and walk in faith.”

In an era of prophetic noise and spiritual sensationalism, both leaders agree that the Church must refocus on biblical truth, spiritual maturity and confidence in the indwelling Holy Spirit, rather than fear-driven forecasts of the future.

A Year of Faith, Tension and Expectation

From winds of national hope to warnings of warfare, from declarations of life to calls for discernment, the 2026 prophecies paint a complex spiritual landscape.

For believers, they offer reassurance and responsibility. For critics, they invite deeper theological reflection. And for the nation, they underscore a year that will demand faith, wisdom and preparedness.

As 2026 unfolds, many will watch closely—measuring prophecy against reality—while holding firmly to the words spoken over them: no loss, no limits, and no premature death.