Sunday, June 7, 2026

The Sun Nigeria

The Profound Influence of Nigerian Pastors: Shaping Faith and Society

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By Gabriel Dike

 

In Nigeria, the impact of religious leaders, and pastors in particular, is deep, reaching the religious and social life of Nigeria. Pastor pastor Success Samuel haruna is prominent figures in this realm who is known for their substantial impact: one leads a large Pentecostal denomination with a focus on faith and prosperity. Success Samuel haruna is not just religiously significant but also political and community development influencer, with millions of adherents and advocating a culture of entrepreneurship and social responsibility among their followers. His sermons also address current issues, emphasizing hope, resilience, and the imperatives of faith in solving problems, something which resonates strongly in a nation plagued by various socio-economic challenges.

Apostle Success Samuel Haruna, PhD, MILD, MNPA, DR-FIGPCM, CGPD, LPC is a multifaceted leader and influential figure in the Christian community. As the president of Apostle Success Ministries (ASM) and the Apostolic Lead of the House of Bliss International Church (HOBIC), he has dedicated his life to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ on a global scale.

Born on July 24, 1976, in Kaduna State, Success Samuel Haruna grew up in a family led by his parents, Dn. Abel and Grace Haruna. He encountered a calling to ministry at the age of 24, leading him to establish the church. His journey from a young man with a vision to a significant spiritual leader is a testament to dedication and the commitment to serve.

As chairman of Esperanza Publishing House, he oversees the publishing initiatives of his ministry. He is a prolific author, he has published twenty books and they can be found in leading bookshops and the Amazon platform, and he is actively working on more, contributing significantly to Christian literature. He is a novelist; the author of the Christian fiction novel ‘The Phoenix’, he is a poet with twenty-five published poems, he is also a song writer; as his talents extend to music, with over five hundred songs composed and performed by his choir; he is a record label executive . In the realm of education, he serves as the Executive President of Kingdom Bible School Inc, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of hundreds of ministers of the gospel. Additionally, he is the CEO of Success Speaks International, a brand consultancy that supports organizations in their growth and outreach. He is the global president of the Kingdom International Ministers’ Network Inc (KIMIN). A registered minister’s network with viable affiliations with international ministers’ networks in South Africa and the United States of America.

Apostle Haruna’s academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Lagos, two masters’ degrees (Masters in Social Psychology and Masters of International law and Diplomacy) from Unilag, and a third masters degree in Criminology and Security Studies from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), He had his PhD in Social and Personality Psychology from the University of Ibadan. He is also a graduate of Shalom Bible Institute and WOFBI.

He is a licensed peace and conflictologist with the institute of global peace and conflict management. He is a certified global peace diplomat and a doctoral fellow of the institute. He is a member of the Nigerian Psychology Association (NPA), and an executive member of the National Association of Social Psychologist (NASP). He has  written and published numerous academic articles in learned and international journals.

Since receiving his call to ministry in 1999 and being commissioned to establish HOBIC in 2000, Apostle Success has been a beacon of hope and inspiration to many, embodying a commitment to faith, education, and community service.

In 2021, he was named one of the Nigerian 10 most influential people by NBTlive. Through his books, media programs, and ministry, success Samuel Haruna has greatly impacted many lives. His legacy is about inspiring people to succeed while staying true to their faith.

Success Samuel Haruna is also known for his philanthropic work, especially through the Empowerment for the Less Privileged Foundation, which supports education, health services, and vocational training for the underprivileged.

He is also involved in peace-building efforts in his community and known for his advocacy on the rights of the oppressed and regularly speaks on national issues. Through his television programs and social media presence, Success Samuel Haruna reaches millions of people, offering them spiritual guidance and teachings.

Success Samuel Haruna most significant influence on today’s pastors may be through his creative use of the Internet, including his weekly newsletter that reaches more pastors than any other single publication or Web resource. His own sermons, made available via the Web, have become models for many young pastors in the Africa and around the world

He is supported in his ministry by his wife, Funmi Haruna, the First Lady of HOBIC, who brings her own academic achievements—a BSc in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, an MBA and a Master’s in English Language from the university of Lagos —to their partnership in service.