On Sunday, April 27, 2025, it was a time of great pride and international acknowledgment when Nigerian-born Bishop Tony Marioghae received the esteemed ‘Icons of Change Award’ during an elaborate event hosted at the Southville International School and Colleges located in Las Piñas City, Metro Manila.
The magnificent occasion, which brought together a wide array of prominent Filipinos, ambassadors, and global leaders, honored remarkable persons who have made transformative contributions in various fields.
Standing among them was Bishop Marioghae, a revered church leader, accomplished conference speaker, published author, and dedicated philanthropist. His two decades of work in the Philippines have significantly shaped the country’s spiritual, societal, and organizational landscapes.
Considered among Nigeria’s top missionaries and possibly the most impactful African leader in Asia, Bishop Marioghae is well-known across the Philippines because of his energetic preaching, push for reforms, and continuous charitable work. Under his guidance, TEAM International, which stands for The Evangelical Ark Mission, has garnered an international support base reaching into hundreds of thousands worldwide.
Marioghae was born on October 1, 1970, in Nigeria. He started his educational path with a diploma in Mass Communication and later obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Jos.
Later, he pursued higher education in the Philippines and earned both a Master’s degree and a doctorate in Leadership from Northwestern Christian University.
In 2005, alongside Bishop Ricardo Sio, Marioghae co-founded the Shine Philippines Movement, a groundbreaking Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) focused on spiritual and national transformation. This initiative championed values-based governance, societal development, and institutional reform across the archipelago.
In 2007, his reach grew even larger after being named Special Adviser to Governor Rafael P. Nantes of Quezon Province, a position he maintained up until 2010.
During this period, Marioghae significantly boosted tourism and foreign investment into the region. He currently holds several leadership roles, including Director at Beyond Wellness Inc., President of the Confederation of African Ministers, Pastors and Churches (CAMPAC), and President of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Philippines (NIDOPHIL).
In 2008, Marioghae created history by being the youngest Evangelical Pentecostal Bishop consecrated in the Philippines, marking also as the first African to receive ordination from the Councils of Bishops and Ministers Association of the Philippines (CBMAP). Currently, he holds a position on their board and oversees the organization’s globalization initiatives.
His architectural achievements include the completion in 2012 of the initial Pentecostal Christian cathedral located in Lucena City, as well as a massive multi-million-dollar convention center in Las Piñas City finished in 2019, which stands out as one of the biggest church structures in the country.
Beyond ecclesiastical duties, Bishop Marioghae has launched numerous social outreach programmes: food drives, free medical missions, and scholarship schemes that have empowered hundreds of underprivileged Filipinos to obtain university degrees.
Via TEAM International, numerous lives throughout the Philippines have been enhanced, and profound social transformation has occurred.
Marioghae credits his principles to his parents: Hon. Daniel Marioghae, a distinguished advocate for human rights and an influential political figure; and Mrs. Regina Marioghae, who is both a gospel artist and a businesswoman. They come from a lineage dedicated to public service and forward-thinking ideals.
His uncle, Archbishop Michael Marioghae, was among the original founders of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). This familial influence, along with his mixed racial background, helped form his worldwide perspective and dedication to equality and fairness.
Deeply committed to the principle that “all people are born equal,” Bishop Marioghae has emerged as a prominent voice championing human rights, fostering unity among different races, and advocating for just leadership. His works critique racism and uphold the worth of everyone, grounded firmly in profound theological and philosophical foundations.
His exceptional service has been recognized with various awards such as: Activist of the Year at the University of Jos in 2000; Dakilang Ama Award in 2014; Key to the City of Lucena in 2014; and Honorary Citizenship of Marinduque in 2015.
Here are some others: Advocacy for Israel Prize (awarded by Daystar TV in 2022); General of God Award (received in 2023); Special Acknowledgments from the Nigerian and Israeli Embassies in the Philippines (given in 2024), and most recently, the Trailblazers of Transformation Award (presented in April 2025).
Bishop Marioghae is wed to Dr. Ernaida Cuevas Marioghae, an esteemed scholar who previously served as a consultant for the Philippine House of Representatives.
The pair has been fortunate enough to have two daughters named Tehilah and Deborah, both of whom are establishing themselves professionally; Tehilah in law within the UK and Deborah in medicine in Canada.
When Bishop Tony Marioghae faced the clapping crowd in Manila, it was evident: The Nigerian pioneer has transcended boundaries and shattered obstacles through his use of spirituality, empathy, and forward-thinking guidance, illuminating a route for transformation spanning different parts of the world.
(Credit: Bola Adewara, clergyman and author)
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