Prominent Christian leader @primate_ayodele builds, commissions mosque in Lagos,

 

The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has concluded plans to commission a mosque he single-handedly built, in what observers described as a historic and unprecedented gesture of interfaith harmony.

The mosque will be officially commissioned on Saturday, as part of activities marking his 21-day annual thanksgiving programme, which commenced in January and will conclude on Sunday.

The project, first announced by the cleric last year, is widely regarded as the first time a prominent Christian spiritual leader has built a mosque, a move that has sparked widespread conversation across religious circles.

Addressing questions surrounding the project, Primate Ayodele clarified that the construction of the mosque does not signify a change of faith but rather obedience to what he described as divine instruction received many years ago.

“My decision to build a mosque is not because I want to become a Muslim, but a direct representation of what God told me to do. I have Muslims attending my church, I attend Muslim programmes to preach when I am called upon, and I have several Muslim friends, so following the God-given instruction was not too hard for me.”

The cleric added that his ministry has long maintained cordial relationships with members of the Islamic faith, adding that the church has been open to Muslim faithful and that he has been invited on several occasions to minister at Muslim gatherings.

On the administration of the mosque, the prophet stated that the facility would be handed over to the Islamic community, without any interference from him or his church.

Prominent Christian leader @primate_ayodele builds, commissions mosque in #Lagos, photos trend👇

Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has completed and commissioned a mosque he built in Lagos, in what has been described as a significant gesture of interfaith harmony and religious tolerance. 

The project, which was commissioned on Saturday, February 14, 2026, during his 21-day annual thanksgiving programme, has garnered widespread attention for being an unusual move by a prominent Nigerian Christian leader. 

Here are the key details regarding the project:

Location and Name: The mosque is located in the Oke-Afa area of Lagos State and has been named after the late mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mrs. Abibatu Mogaji.

Purpose: Primate Ayodele stated that the construction of the mosque was not a change of faith but a result of "divine instruction" received last year, intended to foster religious tolerance and love for humanity.

Handover: The cleric announced that the mosque's administration would be handed over to the local Islamic community without any interference, ensuring it serves as a house of worship for Muslims.

Reception: While some questioned the move, many commended it as a powerful message of unity, especially as it was completed ahead of the Ramadan period.

Philanthropy: The commissioning event was part of a broader, well-attended ceremony that included massive empowerment programs, including the distribution of vehicles, tricycles, and other gifts to the community, regardless of religious affiliation. 

Photos of the newly built mosque and the commissioning ceremony, featuring various dignitaries, have been widely circulated on social media.