Mega-Church ‘The Ark’ Nears Completion in Nigeria, Set to Shatter Records

OTA, OGUN STATE – The Ark Legacy Project, the ambitious undertaking by the Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel International), is nearing completion in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. Set to become the largest indoor and roofed church structure in history, the colossal edifice is poised to redefine architectural and spiritual benchmarks globally.

With a massive footprint of 66,753 square meters, The Ark will dwarf renowned religious structures, being three times the size of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City (22,000 Sqm) and over twice the size of Our Lady of Peace Basilica (30,000 Sqm). Its main auditorium alone is designed to hold 106,000 to 109,000 seats, making it larger than all but one stadium worldwide, North Korea’s Rungrado Stadium (114,000). The overall capacity, when all spaces are packed, is projected to accommodate an astonishing 200,000 people.

The project is a hive of activity, with 1,500 to 2,000 workers operating on 24-hour shifts, seven days a week. It boasts an impressive 1,200 toilets, surpassing all but one stadium globally (Wembley Stadium, 1,643), and will feature more lifts, escalators, and elevators than any other building worldwide. The total capacity of its air conditioning system will also exceed that of any indoor church building globally.

ADVERTISEMENT

Notably, The Ark is being constructed entirely without external financing, loans, or foreign aid, a testament to the church’s self-sufficiency. Its overflow facility, the adjacent Faith Tabernacle, formerly held the record as the world’s largest church auditorium with a 50,000 capacity.

Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, recently announced a postponement in the dedication date from an initially projected November 29, 2025, emphasizing the need for excellence over speed. Technical partners requested additional time for critical installations, including escalators, which are now being installed. Despite the scale, the project is considered one of the fastest buildings ever constructed in Africa when juxtaposed with its immense size.

Beyond its physical grandeur, the church envisions The Ark as a “spiritual surgical theatre for millions of lives” and highlights its significant economic impact, keeping numerous factories, construction companies, and food and beverage businesses active for over four years. The project also includes a 24-floor Mission Tower (International Headquarters Facility).