Salvation Ministries is set to officially open its new global headquarters and 120,000-seat single-auditorium cathedral at Igwuruta Community in Rivers State on Friday, November 6, 2026, in an event expected to attract worshippers and visitors from across Nigeria and beyond.
The founder and General Overseer of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, made the disclosure during a special anointing service on Sunday, August 23, where he announced plans for the official opening and dedication of the massive facility.
Located approximately 20 minutes from the Port Harcourt International Airport, the cathedral is expected to become one of the most prominent religious and architectural landmarks in the Niger Delta.
The massive project reportedly spans a total footprint and project area of approximately 50,000 to 56,800 square metres, placing it among the largest single-auditorium church buildings in the world.
According to information provided by the ministry, the facility was constructed debt-free, while all equipment installed in the building is reportedly owned by Salvation Ministries.
The architectural masterpiece is also said to have been designed to symbolise God’s five fingers, giving the structure a distinctive religious and architectural identity.
‘The world will come to Port Harcourt’
Speaking about the vision behind the project, Ibiyeomie said his inspiration was partly drawn from a visit to the Vatican in Rome, where he was taken on a tour of its architectural and religious landmarks.
He said the experience convinced him that a cathedral could serve not only as a place of worship but also as a major tourist attraction.
“Before construction I was at the Vatican in Rome and was taken round, from there I knew a cathedral should also be a tourist attraction. The world will come to Port Harcourt to see that cathedral,” Ibiyeomie said.
The 120,000-capacity facility, which comprises a single auditorium, is designed to accommodate large-scale worship services, conferences and other religious programmes.
Its enormous scale, combined with its distinctive architectural design, is expected to make the facility a significant landmark within Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Oyedepo to dedicate cathedral
The cathedral will be dedicated on Friday, November 6, by Bishop David Oyedepo, Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners’ Chapel.
Oyedepo, who also serves as Chancellor of Covenant University and Landmark University, is expected to lead the dedication ceremony.
The event is expected to draw prominent Christian leaders, worshippers, guests and other visitors to Igwuruta and the wider Port Harcourt area.
A major architectural and tourism landmark
Beyond its religious significance, the new cathedral is expected to attract considerable attention because of its enormous capacity, extensive footprint, distinctive architectural concept and strategic location near the Port Harcourt International Airport.
With a project area of between 50,000 and 56,800 square metres, the facility represents a substantial development in contemporary church architecture and infrastructure.
Its proximity to the airport could also make the cathedral readily accessible to visitors travelling from other parts of Nigeria and abroad, potentially strengthening its appeal as a destination for religious tourism.
The project is being described by the ministry as a significant achievement, particularly because of the claim that it was completed without debt and that the equipment installed in the facility belongs entirely to Salvation Ministries.
The opening of the global headquarters comes as Salvation Ministries continues to expand its activities and presence both within Nigeria and internationally.
With its 120,000-seat capacity, single-auditorium configuration and expansive footprint, the cathedral is poised to become one of the most prominent religious landmarks in Port Harcourt and could further enhance the city’s profile as a destination for large-scale Christian gatherings and architectural tourism.
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