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Matthew Akhaze Okpebholo (JP) is a Nigerian Christian leader, businessman and philanthropist. [1] He is a senior bishop emeritus of the Church of God Mission International and the founder of several enterprises and charitable initiatives. [1]
Matthew Okpebholo was born on 15 June 1950 in Uromi, Edo State. [2] He grew up in a modest household with no inherited wealth and developed an early drive to succeed. From a young age he showed entrepreneurial skill: by age 20 he had established a small steel-working business, Royal Steel Works, which later grew into Ray Royal Construction Company Limited. [1]
He was awarded honorary doctorates by Igbinedion University, Okada (2013) and the University of Benin (2014).
Okpebholo has had a notable business career. After founding Royal Steel Works, he expanded it into Ray Royal Construction Company Limited, a nationwide engineering and construction firm. [3] Under his leadership, Ray Royal grew into "one of the most respected engineering/construction firms in Nigeria, with offices across the country and employing over 1,000 people". [1]
Okpebholo is a long-time pastor in the Church of God Mission International (CGMI), a Pentecostal denomination founded by Archbishop Benson Idahosa. [3] He became a Christian in 1974 at an evangelistic crusade led by Idahosa. He joined CGMI's ministry as an assistant pastor in 1979 and became a substantive (senior) pastor by 1985. [1] On 6 August 1989, Archbishop Benson Idahosa ordained him into the fivefold ministry as a reverend minister. [3] [2]
Over the years Okpebholo rose in church leadership. He served as a bishop within CGMI and today holds the title Bishop Emeritus of the Church of God Mission International. He also serves on the denomination's board of trustees. Beyond his own church, he has trained and mentored thousands of ministers: reports credit him with equipping "over 5,000 pastors and church workers" and redefining church support, providing financial and material aid to churches and clergy nationwide. [3]
In addition to church roles, Okpebholo has held educational governance positions. Notably, he is the Vice Chairman of the Governing Council of Benson Idahosa University (BIU) in Benin City. In this capacity he helps guide the private university founded by Archbishop Idahosa.
In June 2025, Bishop Okpebholo celebrated his 75th birthday with various philanthropic activities, including a free medical outreach in Uromi and securing the release of several inmates from the Ubiaja Correctional Center by paying their fines. [4]