It is with a deep sense of apology and respect that this article is written. Archbishop Dr. Sam Amaga has never been one to seek publicity or human accolades. He is known more for his quiet obedience to divine instruction than for flamboyant self-promotion. However, this article must be written—not for his sake, but for posterity, to document what God can do through a life surrendered to His purpose and to inspire others to follow such a selfless path.
Archbishop Dr. Sam Amaga stands tall among spiritual generals in Nigeria, not merely for his longevity in ministry but for the weight of his apostolic impact. He is the Founding Archbishop of Foundation Faith Church, also known as Salem International Christian Centre, and the President of the International Covenant Ministerial Council. His leadership within the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and beyond commands deep respect among clerics across denominational lines.
He is not just a preacher, but a nation builder, educator, reformer, and father to many spiritual sons and daughters scattered across the globe. His calm demeanor, sound doctrinal teaching, and practical Christianity mark him as one of the most balanced voices in the Nigerian clergy. For decades, he has led a movement that blends faith with wisdom, spiritual intimacy with national relevance.
In the field of education, Archbishop Amaga has made undeniable strides. He founded Faith Education Centre (Nursery and Primary) and Faith International College (Secondary School) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. These schools were born out of a vision to raise children in an environment of faith, discipline, and academic excellence. His most ambitious educational venture, however, is Salem University, located in Lokoja, Kogi State, where he serves as the Founding Chancellor.
Salem University has become a breeding ground for future leaders, shaped not only by academic knowledge but by godly character and a global mindset. It reflects Archbishop Amaga’s belief that education should do more than produce literate citizens; it should raise transformational leaders. These institutions are not profit-driven but purpose-driven, providing access to many who might otherwise be excluded.
To understand the root of Archbishop Amaga’s charity, one must return to the Gospel. Jesus Christ made it clear in Matthew 25:35–36, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me… in prison and you came to me.” This injunction has always stirred the hearts of true disciples—those who see Christ in the suffering of others.
In this spirit, Archbishop Amaga’s ministry has embodied this very instruction—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and sheltering the homeless. His outreach to orphans, widows, and the vulnerable echoes Christ’s command to “go ye into all the world and teach all nations.” This is not just about evangelism through words, but discipleship through compassionate action.
Project One Million was born out of this same divine burden. It is an arm of the Sam Amaga Foundation created to raise one million orphans from hopelessness to significance through quality education, mentorship, and godly values. The project began quietly but intentionally, aiming to equip the most vulnerable with tools to change their destiny.
At its core, the project stands to transform the fate of orphaned children—giving them education, shelter, mentorship, and a renewed sense of self-worth. Rather than simply handing out food or clothes, it invests in the long-term empowerment of individuals, raising future professionals, leaders, and disciples of Christ.
The Sam Amaga Foundation began with small, humble steps. Archbishop Amaga personally picked orphaned and vulnerable children from crisis-ravaged areas—especially in parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt and North Central regions. Some of these children had lost everything due to violence, displacement, or poverty. He didn’t just pray for them—he educated them.
Over time, as the needs grew and the burden deepened, Project One Million was officially launched to manage the rising financial obligations. Education is expensive, especially when it’s fully funded. But Archbishop Amaga refused to compromise the quality of care and education given to each child.
The foundation sends teams to remote towns and villages where they hear heartbreaking stories. Families and survivors are interviewed and screened. If selected, candidates are offered full scholarships—mostly to Salem University—where their academic, spiritual, and social development is supervised closely.
Now here is the truly sacrificial part: Archbishop Amaga does not simply send these orphans to school. Despite being the Chancellor of Salem University, he still raises funds externally to cover their tuition and upkeep. It is an ongoing, backbreaking, faith-driven effort that mirrors the heart of Christ for the “least of these.”
Each beneficiary receives a full scholarship covering tuition worth millions of naira, accommodation, books, medical care, feeding, and a monthly bursary for personal upkeep. During holidays, those without families are housed in a designated facility—ensuring they are not thrown back into the hardship they came from.
So far, over 250 indigent students have benefited directly from the project, with more than 150 currently in undergraduate programs, and several others pursuing master’s and PhD degrees. These are children who once had no future—but now stand as future doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, and ministers.
The immediate multiplier effect is seen in the lives of the beneficiaries. Many have regained self-esteem, dignity, and purpose. Their families, once trapped in generational poverty, now see hope rising. The community benefits too—because educated minds contribute to social stability and progress. And for the Church, it’s a testimony of what it means to make disciples in practical terms.
In the long term, this means hundreds—soon thousands—of professionals entering the workforce not just as educated people, but as godly change agents, trained in integrity and compassion. The nation gains honest leaders, the Church gains ambassadors, and the Kingdom gains multipliers of light.
First, Archbishop Sam Amaga is a true messenger of God because he lives out the Great Commission. Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Archbishop Amaga is doing this not just through preaching but by discipling young minds through education and mentorship.
Second, unlike many churches where members cannot afford to attend their own schools, Foundation Faith Church has made Salem University relatively accessible to members and their children. Its liberal and flexible policies make education a reality, not a fantasy, for many.
Third, Archbishop Amaga is an advocate of practical Christianity. He does not only preach love and faith—he lives it. His life exemplifies God’s message in every circle, showing that true Christianity is not in words alone, but in actions that reflect heaven’s values.
Those who have benefited must learn to give back. As they rise, they are expected to extend help to other orphans or vulnerable children in their communities. That’s how the chain of kindness multiplies.
They must also be true advocates of the vision and the church that empowered them. Being loyal does not mean blind allegiance—it means walking in the values that shaped them and spreading that influence.
Above all, they must remain true Christians—walking in love, truth, and godly character. Their lives should be living testimonies of the Gospel, bearing fruit that glorifies God and honors their benefactor.
For individuals and organizations who have resources but lack structure, the Sam Amaga Foundation presents a trusted platform to partner with. Whether you’re a philanthropist, a business, or a government agency—this is good soil.
As the African proverb says, “He who educates a child builds a nation.” And as Nelson Mandela once noted, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Sam Amaga is using this weapon righteously—and with lasting impact.
If Project One Million continues steadily for the next ten years, Nigeria and the world will be filled with thousands of well-trained, honest, God-fearing, and accountable professionals. The multiplier effect on national integrity, workforce productivity, and spiritual revival will be massive.
At Salem University, students are not just trained for exams—they are trained to become global leaders. They are commissioned as change agents who apply kingdom principles to governance, science, business, and ministry. This is how the world gets better—one transformed mind at a time.
The answer is simple: recognize them, support them, and replicate their model. Government can give grants, partnerships, or policy support to help scale such initiatives. Society must honor them, not with titles alone, but by taking their model seriously. These are the people truly building the future.
To all members of Foundation Faith Church and every donor across Nigeria and around the world who has sown into this vision, this is your fruit. The testimonies of these orphans-turned-scholars, of families transformed, and of leaders emerging from broken backgrounds are your harvest. Your giving is not in vain—it is already making a measurable impact in homes, communities, and nations. And yet, the journey is far from over. If we are to truly reach the one million target—raising orphaned and vulnerable children from the streets to significance—it must be a collective responsibility. Every single drop matters, because in this divine ocean of transformation, one drop can indeed become a wave that changes the world.
JERRY OCHEME writes From Kano State, North West Nigeria.
