Salvation Ministries to Unveil 120,000-Seat Cathedral in Port Harcourt
The massive new Hand of God Cathedral in Rivers State is scheduled for dedication following years of construction.
Salvation Ministries is set to dedicate its massive new worship center, the Hand of God Cathedral, in Igwuruta, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, November 6, 2026. Founded by Pastor David Ibiyeomie, the mega church has generated significant public interest as it prepares to host its first official Sunday service on November 8, 2026.
The cathedral, which has been under construction for several years, features a reported seating capacity of 120,000 worshippers. If confirmed, this capacity would surpass that of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel, whose auditorium in Ota, Ogun State, accommodates approximately 109,345 people.
Located along Airport Road in Igwuruta, the new architectural landmark is designed to resemble an open hand. The structure comprises five distinct wings and spans eight floors, a conceptual layout intended to symbolize divine covering and grace. In addition to its expansive main auditorium, the facility is equipped with roughly 400 toilets and designated parking space for up to 350 vehicles.
Ahead of the scheduled dedication, a video showcasing the interior of the vast auditorium surfaced on social media platform X on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Captured from an upper balcony level, the footage panned across rows of blue seats, internal pillars that double as housing for offices, additional gallery spaces, and a large altar screen designed to broadcast proceedings to congregants seated far from the stage. Suspended line-array speaker systems are installed overhead to ensure adequate audio coverage throughout the expansive hall.
The emergence of the video sparked an intense debate across Nigerian social media platforms, sharply dividing public opinion regarding the immense scale and financial investment of the project. Supporters praised the development as a remarkable architectural achievement that will accommodate a growing congregation, while critics questioned the priorities behind building such a massive religious facility.
Social media users expressed contrasting viewpoints in online discussions. One user, @InahKenneth, criticized the focus on religious infrastructure, writing that the massive structure should instead be a corporate workplace. Conversely, defender @israel_atumen dismissed the backlash directed at the church leadership.
The inauguration of the Hand of God Cathedral marks a major milestone for Salvation Ministries, providing a permanent and substantially larger venue for its members after years of development supported by contributions from both local and international donors.