Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, leader of the controversial UK-based church SPAC Nation (now known as Nation Family), has vehemently denied claims that he is about to be deported from the United Kingdom.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Adegboyega, who is popularly called Pastor Obi, addressed the ongoing rumors about his immigration status, firmly stating: “There is no deportation order. Let me make that clear.”
The rumors began circulating after the UK Charity Commission launched an investigation into SPAC Nation, alleging serious misconduct and financial mismanagement within the church.
Despite the investigation, Pastor Adegboyega remains confident in his position. “The court case is still an ongoing issue,” he added.
Adegboyega, who arrived in the UK from Nigeria in 2005 on a visitor’s visa, explained that he had lost track of time and failed to regularize his immigration status for nearly a decade. “I assumed my family was handling the paperwork, but that was not the case,” he admitted.
The Nigerian pastor also claimed that it would be “impossible” for him to relocate his church to Nigeria in the event of a deportation. This comment adds another layer of uncertainty to the situation surrounding his future in the UK.
The church, which was originally set up as a charity in 2012, has been at the center of multiple controversies over the years. These include accusations of financial exploitation of vulnerable congregants, with members claiming they were forced to take out loans and commit benefit fraud to make large donations to the church.
However, Pastor Adegboyega has consistently denied these accusations, calling them “false.” He defended his church’s work, particularly its efforts to combat gun violence and support young offenders. “We believe in a practical approach to help a community,” he said. “Young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds are taken out of crime, and we help get knives off the streets.”
In 2019, a BBC Panorama investigation exposed similar claims, with some former church members accusing SPAC Nation of coercing them into financially exploiting themselves. The church strongly denied the allegations at the time, with Adegboyega questioning the motives of those who spoke out. “If you have 1,000 people in a place, are you telling me 30 people will not be disgruntled?” he remarked. “How on earth do you run an organization without disgruntled people?”
Amid the scandal, the church has also faced criticism for its lavish lifestyle and Adegboyega’s apparent fondness for luxury items. The pastor, known for wearing designer clothes, expensive jewelry, and luxury watches, has frequently defended his personal style as a tool to connect with the younger generation.
“I put on what is right, what connects to the generation I’m speaking to so they are not attracted to drug dealers,” he explained. Adegboyega’s flashy style is a far cry from the modest image typically associated with religious leaders, which has raised eyebrows among critics.
Adding to the spectacle, Adegboyega arrived at the BBC office in London in a Lamborghini, with a G-Wagon SUV in tow for his entourage. This lavish display of wealth only fuels the controversy surrounding the pastor, who has consistently defended his success as a result of his hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.
The UK Charity Commission’s investigation into SPAC Nation is still ongoing. The commission’s findings from December 2024 have drawn public attention to the financial practices within the church, and its scrutiny is expected to continue as the legal proceedings unfold.
For now, Pastor Adegboyega’s fate remains uncertain as his church faces increased pressure from both the UK authorities and former members. Despite the challenges, he remains adamant that his church has made a positive impact on the community, particularly among at-risk youth.
“We are making a difference,” he said confidently. “We are changing lives and keeping young people away from gangs.”
