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Joshua Selman: 5 surprising things about the Nigerian preacher who left Rhema Feast attendees spellbound
05th September, 2026 04:17 AM
Nigerian televangelist Apostle Joshua Selman Nimmak has struck a chord with Kenyans following his highly anticipated appearance at Rhema Feast, where thousands of worshippers at Uhuru Park gave him a rapturous welcome before listening to his teachings.
But while his teachings, prophetic ministry and lengthy messages have made him one of the most recognisable Christian voices among young believers across Africa, there are several fascinating details about the man behind the pulpit that many of his Kenyan admirers may not know.
Here are five things to know about Apostle Joshua Selman.
1. He trained as a chemical engineer
Long before he became known for his lengthy Bible teachings and global preaching engagements, Selman pursued a highly technical academic path.
The Nigerian preacher studied Chemical Engineering at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Nigeria, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.
His academic background stands in sharp contrast to the career for which he is now known, having moved from studying a discipline rooted in mathematics, chemistry and engineering principles to becoming a preacher whose messages often involve detailed explanations of biblical concepts.
His official biographical profile also identifies him as a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University and says his ministry journey began while he was at the university, where he developed a strong passion for God’s presence and for raising people grounded in knowledge, purpose and spiritual intimacy. The years he spent in Zaria would ultimately become significant to his ministry because it was there that the foundation of what would become his global ministry was laid.
2. His grandfather was a major figure in Nigeria’s Christian history
Selman’s religious background stretches back several decades, with accounts of his family pointing to a strong Christian heritage.
Selman has spoken about his grandfather being the first president of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), one of the prominent Christian denominations in northern Nigeria.
Several biographical accounts identify his maternal grandfather as Reverend Rindap Damina Bawado, who served as COCIN’s first president.
The preacher has, however, previously explained that having such a prominent Christian figure in his family did not automatically mean he had a personal relationship with him.
In one account of his testimony, Selman said his parents were not pastors but loved God and raised their children in the Christian faith, while acknowledging his grandfather’s role in the church. His early spiritual formation therefore grew from both his family environment and his own experiences, which later shaped the ministry path he would pursue.
3. He does not run a conventional church denomination
One of the less obvious things about Selman’s ministry is the structure through which his influence has grown. Rather than building his public profile around a conventional denominational church, Selman is the founder of Eternity Network International (ENI), which was established in March 2011. The ministry is associated with Koinonia, the weekly Christian gathering through which Selman’s teachings, worship sessions and ministry have reached audiences far beyond Nigeria.
His official ministry platforms describe Koinonia as a programme organised by ENI where people gather for worship, teaching, miracles and an encounter with the Holy Spirit.
The ministry has also developed a School of Ministry, which describes itself as a platform designed to build, transform and equip believers, ministers and kingdom ambassadors rather than functioning simply as a conventional Bible school.
This structure has allowed Selman’s influence to stretch beyond a single congregation, with his messages being distributed through digital platforms and his ministry engagements taking him to conferences and Christian gatherings across Africa and beyond.
The scale of that digital footprint is evident from Koinonia Global’s extensive online library, which carries years of Selman’s sermons, teachings and worship sessions, including recordings from international conferences.
4. He is also deeply involved in music and worship
Although Selman is best known for his preaching, his ministry is not confined to standing behind a pulpit and delivering sermons. Music and worship have long been part of his ministry environment, with Koinonia itself placing worship alongside the Word, miracles and fellowship at the centre of its gatherings.
His ministry’s digital library includes a substantial collection of worship songs and worship-focused sessions alongside his teachings. That musical dimension was also evident during his appearance at Rhema Feast, where his ministry session blended teaching, prayer and intense moments of worship.
For many of his followers, this ability to move between deep teaching, prayer and worship is part of what has made his appearances distinctive.
5. He is famously private and has built his public image around ministry rather than his personal life
Perhaps one of the most intriguing things about Selman is how little of his private life he places at the centre of his public image.
Despite his enormous following and regular appearances before large audiences, much of the information circulating about him concerns his ministry, teachings and spiritual life rather than his day-to-day personal affairs.
Accounts about his lifestyle describe him as a voracious reader with a large personal library and someone who dedicates significant portions of his nights to prayer and study. One biographical account says Selman has described himself as nocturnal, with his normal routine sometimes keeping him awake until around 5 am when he is not travelling or ministering.
His interest in books is also reflected in the sheer volume of written material associated with his ministry, with catalogues listing titles covering prayer, spiritual growth, faith, the Holy Spirit and Christian living.
That disciplined, study-heavy image offers another explanation for the depth and structure that followers often associate with his sermons.
Author
Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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