Bishop Tom Samson @ 60, launches Monarch University

A respected gospel preacher, author and global revivalist, Bishop Tom Samson, is the Founder and General Overseer of Christ Royal Family International Churches and propriety of Monarch University. He spoke to select journalists recently as part of programmes to mark his 60th birthday coming up on December 13. 2025, Businessafrica.com.ng was there to bring an excerpt:

Can our readers meet you?

I am Bishop Tom Samson, the Founder of Christ Royal Family International Churches. I am the Proprietor and Chancellor of Monarch University. I am also the Founder and Proprietor of many schools that include Royal Dynasty, Royal Diadem, Tom Samson International Schools, with branches in Agbara, Ikeja, Egbeda, Ijoko, Ogba- and others. I am also the Founder of a Medical Hospital, Printing Press, a water factory and a bakery.

You will be celebrating your 60th birthday on December 13. What are the programmes slated for the events?

The programmes slated for my 60th birthday are four-fold. The week-long anniversary takes off on December 7. My birthday coincided with the establishment of our church 34 years ago December 13, 1991. In Lagos I am going to officially commission Monarch University on that day. I decided that the university will officially be commissioned on that day. We are celebrating the journey of faith. I am the Visitor and Founder of Royal City College of Education. Secondly, within these 60 years, our ministry has many branches that cut across the globe. We have branches in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Houston. Grace has helped me. A young man of yesterday is now being celebrated by the world. It is indeed a journey of faith. Thirdly, we are expecting my spiritual father’s, traditional rulers, politicians, corporate leaders, etc. In addition, the Monarch University is organising a lecture themed ‘The Role of Religion in Education’ to be delivered by Professor Abiola, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos. The event will be happening at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja. Men of God expected at the occasion include Bishop Wale Oke, the PFN President; Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo from London, among others. On Wednesday, there will be a camp meeting at Iyana Iyesi, Ota. There will be free feeding, free accommodation, and free medical services. The governor of Ogun State and his Deputy, the Olota of Ota, Oba Tejuosho, Olowu of Owu, among others are expected at the event.

Why are you particular about education?

I read Education. I graduated from Delta State University. I have a passion for Education. It is through education you can reach the youths. In my school days, my university was notorious for cultism. Many of our colleagues in the university were cultists. That is why I have to employ teachers to teach morals and fear of God in the Monarch University.

How did you start your journey 34 years ago?

I came to Lagos with one shirt and one trouser. Nowhere to sleep, nowhere to feed. Nowhere to sleep. I came from a poor background. I went through poverty and hardship. Imagine coming from Edo State to Lagos with nothing. Today, I operate a multimillion dollar ministry. I never borrowed. I never owed. There was a time I could not eat. There were days I trekked. When I entered Lagos, I moved from street to street evangelising. Egbeda plot where we are now, I bought the land when I was 33. Those who are helping today were those I raised then through the Word of God. The journey was not easy. The Young men of today want to be rich quickly. Somebody entered the ministry today. You want to be rich. You see me driving Rolls Royce today. I have been in the ministry for over 40 years preaching from campus to campus. I told the church, “No matter what ever level you are, you have to say ‘Tthank you’. I never sold water to you. I never sold handkerchiefs for you. I never asked you for money. On an occasion like this, you have to say ‘Thank you Daddy’.” I don’t dupe people like other pastors do. I am royalty. The whole world expects a pastor to be poor and humble. I believe in the potency of God’s Word. If I pray for people, they prosper. I know the Word. I believe in the potency of God’s Word. It is showing in my life today. Today, I employ Professors, Doctors, and Engineers. A man that could not eat yesterday! That’s a testimony. I am a testimony of grace. It was not easy, but when you follow faith and patience as it is written in the Bible. I want to encourage our youths to be patient. Success in life takes a process.

As you clock 60 years on Saturday, how will you describe the role of the Holy Spirit in your journey in life?

The Holy Spirit played a vital role in my life and ministry. When I left Benin for Lagos, I wanted to go to Port Harcourt. The Holy Spirit ministered to me that I should go to Lagos where I will reach the world. When you walk with Faith, the Holy Spirit will send you help. People began to help me. When I arrived in Lagos, the people that helped me were those people I pastored on the campus. The parents of my campus members stood by me. During my wedding, one of their parents sewed my wedding outfit. When I rented a house at Akowonjo, a parent paid my rent.

What is the major virtue that helped you in your 34 years in ministry?

Obedience and truth: The Bible says if you serve and obey me you will spend your days in pleasure and your years in pleasure – Job. 36:11. When I left Benin for Lagos, God did not tell me I would sleep on the verandah at Ojuelegba. When Jacob left his father’s house, his father blessed him. That did not stop Laban from enslaving him for 21years. I am telling all the young men that you are going to be great but you need faith and patience. God promised me everything, but when I came to Lagos, it was not so. I am leaving my destiny. All the cars I drove were bought for me by men and women who benefited from God’s grace in my life. When I clocked 48, a Limousine was bought for me. When I celebrated my 50th birthday, they bought a Rolls Royce for me. When I celebrated my 55th birthday, they bought me a G-Wagon. I don’t know what they will buy for me when I celebrate my 60th birthday on Saturday.

Your fame and your achievements are there for everyone to see. But, your voice was never heard in politics. Why?

When you see a man of God not dabbling in politics don’t blame him. The Holy Spirit is my guide. A lot of people in politics are there to look for gains. I am sold to the Word of God. My relevance in the Word of God, but from time to time we can offer advice.

How do you see the state of the nation vis a vis security situation?

The situation of insecurity in the country has reached an alarming stage. I blame the pastors and ministers of northern extraction for not talking about the killings in their region. I also blame the press for being silenced on this issue. The question is what should we do? We should pray for our president. We should pray to God to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu boldness and political will to take the bull by the horns. I want to appeal to the National Assembly. To work together with the president. Let the National Assembly sit down and solve this problem Nigeria belongs to all of us.

What do you think is responsible for the disunity in the Body of Christ in Nigeria?

It is a doctrinal issue. It also depends on your relationship. As for me, I can preach anywhere, be it white garment church or Anglican. During the building of the PFN Secretariat. Every one of us contributed to the building of the edifice. The Deeper Life Presiding Senior Pastor, Dr W.F. Kumuyi donated billions of naira for the renovation of the office. I believe it was not so before.