A Nigerian-born Bishop, Tony Marioghae, was recently honoured with the Icons of Change award at a colourful ceremony held at the Southville International School and Colleges, Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
As a conference speaker, author and humanitarian, Marioghae has lived in the country for two-decade working for the Lord. He is generally regarded as one of Nigeria’s foremost missionaries and the most influential African figure in Asia. He has through his teaching ministry, advocacy, humanitarian efforts and organisation, The Evangelical Ark Mission (TEAM) International, touched many lives across the Philippines and globally.
Born October 1, 1970, the cleric has a diploma in mass Communications and a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Jos. He later, obtained a master’s and doctorate degrees in leadership from Northwestern Christian University in the Philippines.
In 2005, alongside Bishop Ricardo Sio, Marioghae co-founded the Shine Philippines Movement — an NGO that focused on spiritual and national transformation. The initiative championed values-based governance, societal development and institutional reform across the archipelago.
In 2007, he was appointed Special Adviser to then-Governor Rafael P. Nantes of Quezon Province, a position he held until 2010. During this period, Marioghae significantly boosted tourism and foreign investment in the region.
Currently, he 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 the Diaspora Organisation, Philippines (NIDOPHIL).
The Nigerian cleric, in 2008, made history when he became the youngest Evangelical Pentecostal Bishop consecrated in the Philippines, and the first African to be ordained by the Councils of Bishops and Ministers Association of the Philippines (CBMAP).
He now serves on the board and leads the organisation’sglobalisation efforts.
Attributing his values to his parents — Daniel Marioghae, a renowned human rights lawyer and political leader, and Mrs. Regina Marioghae, a gospel singer and entrepreneur, the awardee said he was raised in a family of public servants and visionaries.
His uncle, Archbishop Michael Marioghae, was one of the founding leaders of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). His family influence, together with his multi-racial heritage, shaped his global vision and passion for equality and justice.
His believe in the theory of equality of all men has earned him numerous awards, including Activist of the Year (University of Jos, 2000); DakilangAma Award (2014); Key to the City of Lucena (2014), and most recently, the Icons of Change Award (April 2025), among others.
