Nigerian preacher, gospel singer, and songwriter Emmanuel Aniefiok Iren, better known by his stage name Emmanuel Iren, was born on December 18, 1989. Celebration Church International (CCI), which has its main office in Lagos, Nigeria, was founded by him.
He is the president of Outburst Music Group, a gospel group composed of the church choir, and he has written fourteen songs for them on their albums Octane (issued in 2020) and Kerygma (released in 2017). His song “Light Up The Way” featured gospel singer Eben, and it was also written by him. His album Apostolos: Sounds of Transition was released in 2022.
Early Life
Iren is from Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State and was born on December 18, 1989. Saint Bernadettes Nursery and Primary School in Ipaja, Lagos, is where he completed his elementary education. He subsequently transferred to Queen’s Choice Nursery and Primary School College in Ikotun, Lagos, and went on to complete his secondary school at Doregos Private Academy.
He graduated from Covenant University in Ota, Nigeria, with a bachelor’s degree in building technology in 2011. Additionally, he graduated from the University of Lagos in Nigeria with a Master in Business Administration.
Ministry
As an undergraduate at Covenant University, Emmanuel Iren founded the Triumphal Youth Fellowship, a Christian campus organization, in 2008. The group quickly expanded into a full-time mission outside of the school.
The Life Triumphal Church in Lagos opens its doors on November 11, 2012. It changed its name to Celebration Church International, or CCI, two years later in 2014. Today, Celebration Church International boasts 30 branches spanning Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, with more than 100,000 members worldwide.
In 2017, the Outburst Music Group released Emmanuel Iren’s debut album, Kerygma. Nigerian gospel singer Odunayo Adebayo included him in the popular song “Zoe” in 2021.
His second album, Apostolos: Voice of Transition, was released in August 2022. It featured 13 tracks, including “Overcome,” “In Your Name,” “Holy Ghost,” and “Glory.” Other gospel musicians Sinach, Nosa, and Judikay were included on the CD. The album reached one of the top 10 on Apple Music shortly after it was released.
Recognition
- He was listed as one of the top 100 ministry influencers in Nigeria in 2021 by YNaija Magazine.
- Apostolos received a 2022 Kingdom Achievers Awards album of the year nomination.
- He received an honorary doctorate from Myles Leadership University in 2023.
Marital Status
In November 2014, Iren married Laju Iren at the age of 24. They have one son and three daughters.
