Emmanuel Television (EmmanuelTV), the international television and online broadcast arm of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), is set to mark its 20th anniversary, on March 8, 2026. The global Christian broadcast outfit was founded by the founder of SCOAN, the late Prophet T.B. Joshua in 2006 as a child of necessity. But within a short time, the satellite television channel became the biggest tool to sell Nigeria as religious tourism destination to the world. In addition, Emmanuel TV quickly embraced the internet early with the launching its presence across all social media platforms, with more than 600 million views on Youtube before it was removed.  

The Christian broadcast group came into existence two years after the Federal Government of Nigeria, under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, decided to ban what it called ‘unverifiable miracles.’ By this directive all religious programmes that showed faith healings were banned.

Prior to the ban, the broadcast of Prophet T.B. Joshua’s church service, and other activities had become a major draw for millions of television viewers in Nigeria, most especially because the teachings and miracles God performed through him during his ministrations.  But the fiat by the Nigerian government stopped the broadcast.

While other Nigerian pastors were still thinking about their next line of action after the ban which came into effect on April 1, 2006, T.B. Joshua with a keen ability to read the future, quickly floated satellite television. It meant that not it was just viewers in Nigeria that watch and follow his ministration, but people from all over the world. This led to the influx of religious tourists from all over the world travelling to Nigeria in search of solutions at the SCOAN. Ikotun, a Lagos suburb quickly blossomed into a major religious tourism destination in Africa attracting all, including the high and mighty. 

Almost five years since the transition of Prophet TB Joshua, EmmanuelTv has continued to stand strong despite efforts to bring down this noble vision. 

 Speaking on the global impact of Emmanuel TV in the last 20 years, the Senior Pastor of SCOAN, Pastor Evelyn Joshua said: “We have come a long way, from a small beginning to be a global voice. Lives have been touched, nations have been reached. God has been faithful. “But this is not  the end, it is a reminder why we started; why we must