By Olakunle Oke
An investigation into Lagos’ fast-growing event-hall economy has revealed that many medium-sized and smaller churches spend substantial sums every Sunday renting commercial venues for worship.
Top halls are charging between ₦600,000 and ₦15 million per service, depending on size and location.
While major megachurches like The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) and House on the Rock typically own purpose-built auditoriums, hundreds of independent congregations across the state rely on rented spaces, ranging from hotel ballrooms to community centres, for their weekly worship and weekday programmes.
A review of venue pricing indicates that the average cost of renting a Lagos event hall for a single Sunday service stands at approximately ₦2.3 million, a figure pushed upward by high-end convention centres. The median cost, which reflects the wider use of mid-range halls by most congregations, is roughly ₦850,000.
Among the high-end venues, the Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island charges between ₦10 and ₦15 million per day, depending on setup and equipment needs, and has been used by churches for large conferences, joint services, and outreach events.
At the MUSON Centre in Onikan, hall rentals range from ₦211,000 to ₦1.3 million, varying based on the room size. The hiring fees for full-day services and technical setup at the Terra Kulture Arena can reach ₦2 million, making it a preferred space for artistic, youth-focused, and outreach gatherings.
Mid-tier venues, including the Civic Centre, Balmoral Convention Centre, and several event halls in Ikeja and Surulere, charge between ₦600,000 and ₦2 million for Sunday bookings. Many churches in Lekki, Ajah, and mainland estates also depend on smaller community halls, which cost ₦50,000 to ₦350,000 per service or ₦450,000 to ₦8 million annually for long-term leases.
Beyond Sunday worship, churches are increasingly renting these halls for social-impact programmes, such as medical outreaches, youth conferences, job fairs, charity events, and skill-building workshops.
Venue managers confirm a sharp rise in weekday hall use, driven by the growing interest of churches in these community-facing activities. Some large churches also rent prestigious facilities for special occasions, such as House on the Rock’s previously reported ₦17 million payment for a major multi-day programme.
Despite inflationary pressures, demand remains strong. Venue owners report steady weekend bookings and rising weekday occupancy. Analysts suggest this trend reflects both the proliferation of independent congregations and Lagos’ persistent shortage of mid-sized permanent worship spaces in high-density districts.
However, a full financial picture remains difficult to determine, as most churches and venues negotiate private rates. Industry stakeholders argue that more transparent pricing would help smaller congregations budget effectively while aiding journalists and researchers tracking Lagos’ religious economy.
Churches contacted for this investigation described event halls as essential but expensive, noting that permanent land acquisition remains out of reach for many new ministries. Venue operators, on their part, stated that churches represent reliable clients whose social programmes often bring additional weekday business.
With Nigeria’s economic pressures persisting, both churches and venue managers expect rental rates to continue rising, placing further strain on congregations that depend on hired halls for both worship and community service.