Esther Ajayi Net Worth, Biography, Husband, Children & Church

Article Was Last Updated August 25, 2026

Esther Ajayi’s net worth, biography, husband, children, age, church and career have made her one of Nigeria’s best-known female Christian ministers. Esther Abimbola Ajayi, also known as Iya Adura and Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi, was born on 2 April 1963 in Mushin, Lagos State.

She is the founder and General Overseer of Love of Christ Generation Church (C&S Worldwide) and the founder of the Esther Abimbola Foundation. Her biography also covers her marriage to Rev. Dr. Ademuyiwa Ajayi, their children, her early life, education, business career, source of wealth and private jet.

Esther Ajayi Biography, Early Life and Education

Ajayi grew up in Mushin, Lagos, and attended school in the city before continuing her theological education at Faith Seminary in Sango-Ota, Ogun State.

She later studied at All Nations Bible Seminary in England, where she obtained a General Certificate and Diploma. The Bible Society of Nigeria also identifies her as a holder of a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Faith Seminary.

Ajayi moved to England in 2004 and founded Love of Christ Generation Church there in 2007. She returned to Nigeria in 2017 and continued her ministry from Lagos.

Her move into ministry followed years in business and a series of personal experiences that she linked to her Christian calling. She began evangelising before establishing her church.

Esther Ajayi Career and Ministry

Ajayi built a business career before becoming a full-time minister.

She once furnished an Abuja apartment for the former National Electric Power Authority and said the organisation owed her ₦4.2 million from the transaction.

Her business later suffered financial difficulties, while armed robberies at her home also affected her outlook. She subsequently focused on evangelism and began preaching before establishing Love of Christ Generation Church.

The church now operates from its cathedral on Water Corporation Drive in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Love of Christ Generation Church will hold its 19th harvest anniversary from 10 to 13 September 2026. The programme includes a leadership seminar, revival and praise night, and thanksgiving service.

Esther Ajayi Foundation and Philanthropy

The Esther Ajayi Foundation funds scholarships, medical outreaches, disability support, youth programmes and assistance for vulnerable people.

Ajayi has also supported people with chronic illnesses and helped Nigerians facing immigration difficulties in the United Kingdom.

The foundation has supported humanitarian programmes outside Nigeria, including missions in countries affected by conflict.

Names and Titles

Understand her different names and titles without confusion. There are lots of ways people call her, and they all mean different things, but they point to the same person. Her full name is Esther Abimbola Ajayi — it has her first name, middle name, and her family name. Sometimes, people just shorten it to Esther Ajayi or keep it as Esther Abimbola Ajayi. That’s the simple or standard way of saying her name without all the titles.

When people want to show respect for her position in the church, they call her Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi or Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi. This is a special title that tells you she is a leader in her church and a senior clergy member.

In Nigerian culture and her religious community, people also call her Mother Esther Ajayi or Iya Adura Esther Ajayi. The name Iya Adura is Yoruba, and it literally means “mother of prayer,” showing that she is someone people go to for spiritual guidance and prayer.

Sometimes, people call her Prophetess Esther Ajayi or Pastor Esther Ajayi. Nigerian newspapers, including The Nation Nigeria and Vanguard Nigeria, have variously referred to her as “Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi” and “Prophetess Esther Ajayi” when reporting on her ministry activities.

So whether you see Esther Abimbola Ajayi, Iya Adura Esther Ajayi, Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi, or even Prophetess Esther Ajayi, it’s still talking about her.

Family Life: Marriage, Husband, Children

Esther Ajayi is married to Rev. Dr. Ademuyiwa Ajayi. In interviews published by Nigerian newspapers, including reports covering her birthday celebrations and church events, the couple have publicly appeared together and spoken about their marriage.

The couple married in 1984 and has remained together for many years. They also appear together in public at church services and social events, often standing side by side.

In a tribute published during Esther Ajayi’s 60th birthday celebrations in 2023, Rev. Dr. Ademuyiwa Ajayi described his wife as a committed partner and mother while reflecting on their decades-long marriage.

The couple have four biological children—two sons and two daughters—and they have also adopted a daughter. Some social posts and church pages show family photos and event appearances with their children.

When she reached her 60th birthday in April 2023, national newspapers covered the celebrations, and the church also shared them on its social media platforms. Her children presented gifts to her at the celebration. Nigerians speak of her kindness and the work she does for others, which has made her well known.

If you look for her on English-language Wikipedia, you will not find a page. There is a Yoruba-language Wikipedia entry and a Wikidata item with the same key facts. Most available biographical information comes from Nigerian news sites, church pages, and social media, including original reporting and compilation on First Nigerian. It is not drawn from a single official encyclopedia page.

How Did Esther Ajayi Meet Her Husband?

Rev. Esther Ajayi began her early education at St. Michael’s Catholic School in Mushin. She was baptised there before moving on to Ikeja Senior Grammar School in 1974.

She met Reverend (Dr.) Ademuyiwa Amuwaoluwa Ajayi at this school in November 1974. They first spoke outside the principal, Mrs. Majekodunmi’s office, while she awaited her Common Entrance Examination result for Class 1 and he prepared to join Class 2. Once she was admitted, they became close friends. Although she lived in Mushin and he in Ebute Metta with his mother, Madam Omotunde Ajoke Sulu, they were inseparable.

At home, she often spoke of the “adorable and nice Brother Muyiwa” and even composed a song about him. She visited his home frequently, and when she invited him to her own home, her “very big family” gathered to meet the boy she always mentioned.

Esther was in Class 4 when he graduated, yet they stayed close while seeking university admission. She later went to Ibadan for Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) training, where she worked as a “secretary” on the programme Toko Taya, translated as (Husband and Wife) and rose as a “new star on the horizon.”

At NTA, she resisted persistent advances from superiors offering lucrative jobs and fame. Refusing to compromise her commitment to Ademuyiwa, she resigned and returned to Lagos.

Marriage And Birth Of First Child

When Abimbola became pregnant, marriage followed. In line with Yoruba custom, Ademuyiwa’s family wrote formally to the Irawos seeking permission, which was granted.

They married in 1984. They lived in a single room in his mother’s house at Ebute Metta, supported by both families, as neither had a job yet and she was pregnant.

Their first son, Emmanuel Adewunmi, was born on 4 June 1984. Soon after, he secured work as a computer operator at Nigerian Telecommunications (NET), later NITEL, and she followed with her own employment.

Esther Ajayi Net Worth and Source of Wealth

As one of the richest women pastors in Nigeria, Ajayi established her early career through business before concentrating on Christian ministry.

She later invested in church projects, including the Victoria Island cathedral. During a 2021 interview, she discussed the value of the property when addressing descriptions of her as a billionaire.

Her foundation also receives funding for its charitable programmes.

Several Nigerian biography websites estimate Ajayi’s wealth at $20 million to $50 million. Other publications give different amounts, while no current financial statement establishes her exact personal net worth.

Esther Ajayi and Private Jets

Ajayi has used chartered private aircraft for ministry trips.

She said she hired a private jet when she needed to preach in Abuja and Lagos on the same day. She also said she preferred to direct the money towards charitable work rather than purchase an aircraft.

Esther Ajayi Recognition and Activities in 2026

The Lagos chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) named Ajayi its Iconic Woman of the Month for January 2026.

NAWOJ cited her work in scholarships, disability support, medical outreaches and community development.

Ajayi has also spoken about her interest in boxing. She told The Punch that boxing is her favourite sport and that she trains with a personal trainer.

Esther Ajayi Religion

Ajayi belongs to the Cherubim and Seraphim Christian tradition.

She founded Love of Christ Generation Church C&S (Worldwide) and leads its ministry in Lagos.