The date was Sunday, 10 January, 1982, exactly 43 years ago today; the place was the Chemistry Lecture Theatre, in the premises of the Faculty of Science in Nigeria’s premier university. That was when and where the historic and ceremonial opening worship service that birthed the University of Ibadan Baptist Church (UIBC) was held. Just like yesterday! How time flies!! We give thanks and offer praises to God.
UIBC was established as a mission station of Bodija Estate Baptist Church, Ibadan, and commissioned to play her own part in the onerous task of The Great Commission. The date had been awaited with great expectation and mixed feelings, but with solid faith in a visionary venture God Himself had a hand in. Weeks of preparation had gone into planning for the memorable day. The dream of beginning a Baptist congregation to contribute to meeting the spiritual needs of students in UI was actualised when the inaugural service was held on that divinely-chosen Sunday. The establishment of this church clearly climaxed the vision of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), through the General Secretary then, Rev. Dr S.T. Ola Akande, in collaboration with Bodija Estate Baptist Church, with Rev. J. Olu Fakorede as the pastor. The foot soldiers included Dr (later Professor) J.T. Okedara and Professor J.A. Faniran, who were privileged to serve later as the first Church Leader and first Church Secretary, respectively.
The atmosphere at that inaugural service on that historic day was memorable. It was a momentous occasion, witnessed with great delight by a galaxy of Nigerian Baptists from the Nigerian Baptist Convention headquarters, Bodija Estate Baptist Church, and Oke-Ado Baptist Church, all in Ibadan; as well as faculty, staff and students of UI. Total attendance at that first service on 10 January 1982 was 149 worshippers. Some of the worshippers at that inaugural worship service are still with UIBC till date.
The dawning of UIBC was indeed a gigantic spiritual undertaking in all its ramifications. This church is unique or peculiar in a number of ways. For instance, it is more of a student church, or more appropriately a youth church. At every point in time, about 80% of members (and worshippers) are young men and women, in their formative years. It is, therefore, significant to stress that these past 43 years, UIBC has succeeded in contributing to moulding the lives of generations of worshippers, especially students, who have been privileged to pass through the portals of the church.
At this juncture, it is imperative to mention the UIBC scholarship scheme which has catered for the financial needs of some indigent students. Here, we would wish to place on record the appreciation of the church to a former graduate student-member of UIBC, who is one of our vibrant members in the diaspora. In 1990, Brother Emmanuel Olajire Amosu decided to endow a Scholarship Fund, to glorify God and in memory of his late father. Christened “The Pa Amosu Scholarship Fund”, it assisted indigent students to defray part of their financial needs, and was on for well over two decades. Since then, several other members of the church, both at home and in the diaspora, have been supporting the annual scholarship scheme of UIBC. Among the pillars of support of the scholarship scheme in recent years are some retirees who have been very passionate about youth and students’ welfare. To the glory of God, many beneficiaries of the UIBC Scholarship Scheme have today, become agents of change in church and society, globally.
Quite significantly too, apart from financial aids to students in UI, UIBC has, in the course of its history, been actively involved in partly sponsoring students for pastoral training at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso. To God’s glory, many pastors have benefitted from such sponsorship, and they are already serving diligently in the Nigerian Baptist Mission field in various states across the country, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
On the whole, generations of children and student-worshippers that have been privileged to pass through UIBC and its educational institutions have today become useful vessels in God’s Vineyard, and in their respective secular callings, in all the nooks and crannies of the world. To God be the glory!
​In terms of impact on society, at both the micro and macro levels, UIBC has never been found wanting. Under the umbrella of the Baptist Services Centre, it operates a nursery and primary school, as well as a post-primary institution, christened the Baptist Academy. The former, which was established in January 1988, has had its products yearly gaining admission into top-rate secondary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State, and other parts of the country. The Baptist Academy, which was established on 17 September, 2018 has also succeeded in launching itself into the league of pre-eminent secondary schools in Ibadan. The Men’s Missionary Union (MMU), Women’s Missionary Union (WMU), Children’s Ministry, and other units and departments of the church are also vibrant. Meanwhile, although the primary mission-field of UIBC is among students and youths within the premises of the University campus and its environs, the church also has a vibrant Mission-Outpost or Preaching Station, christened Divine Grace Baptist Church, Odande, along Idi-Omo-Arulogun Road, with Dr (now Professor) Adewumi Taiwo as the foundation Coordinating Deacon, by virtue of his position as the then Chairman of UIBC’s Missions and Evangelism Committee. He was ably supported in diverse ways by Rev (now Rev. Dr) Emmanuel Ojewunmi, Rev. J.A. Folalu and Deaconess Mojoyin Afolabi. Rev Fisayo Olatunji serves as the current Coordinating Minister of the preaching station. Similarly, UIBC has, in January 2024, resuscitated its House-Fellowship Centres in certain strategic locations within and outside the catchment area of the church. All in all, since her establishment in 1982, UIBC has continued to advance physically, and more importantly, spiritually. Today, the influence of the 43-year-old congregation is greatly felt at the Associational, Conference and Convention levels. To God be the glory!
​In terms of the nexus between church and society, UIBC has been blessed with some members who have contributed to shaping society at all levels in all areas of human endeavor. Within the Nigerian Baptist Convention family, many UIBC members have, at various times, served as Chairmen or members of the Advisory Boards of many Convention Departments, the Governing Boards of some of the theological institutions as well as similar roles at the levels of Baptist Conferences and Associations. Meanwhile, in the academia, two members of UIBC have served at the apex level of the ivory tower as Vice Chancellors. These are: Professor J.T. Okedara, now of blessed memory, as foundation Vice Chancellor of Bowen University (of the Nigerian Baptist Convention), Iwo; and Professor Abel Olajide Olorunnisola, the incumbent Vice Chancellor of Dominion University, Ibadan. By the same token, three other members (present and past) of UIBC have, at various times, served as Deputy Vice Chancellors in UI. These are Professor (now Emeritus Professor) Abiola Odejide as the first female Deputy Vice Chancellor in the history of UI, Professor Ayo Ogunkunle, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), as well as Professor Ezekiel O. Ayoola, the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) in UI. (Ayo Ogunkunle is currently the (pioneer) Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, and had previously served in similar position in an acting capacity at Bowen University, Iwo). Professor Joshua A. Faniran (UIBC’s foundation Church Secretary) once served as Chairman of the Governing Council of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Besides, a member, Dr Tunji Oladapo had been Provost of St Andrew’s (later renamed Emmanuel Alayande) College of Education (and recently upgraded to Emmanuel Alayande University of Education), Oyo; while Dr J. Ademola Adejumobi has served as Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Similarly, Dr (later Professor) Bisi Odejide served as Secretary to the old Oyo State Government during Nigeria’s Second Republic. In later years, he served as Chief Medical Director of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. Numerous others have served as Members of Governing Councils, Provosts of Colleges, Deans of Faculties, Heads of Department, as well as Directors of academic and service programmes or units in the university system, at home and abroad. Many others have occupied the commanding heights of their respective professional callings in and outside Nigeria. At any age, anywhere in the world, any congregation with such an array of nation-builders in its history should count itself blessed. God has indeed blessed UI Baptist Church, and He has also used UIBC as a channel to bless society.
​Leadership is a critical factor in the running of any establishment, body, organization or institution, including church settings, in a bid to actualise her vision and mission. In this respect, a congregation requires efficient and effective leaders to steer her affairs. The University of Ibadan Baptist Church has, since inception had seven pastors and four non-pastors at the apex leadership, in the following chronological order: Deacon Dr (later Professor) J.T. Okedara, January 1982 – December, 1989; Rev. Dr O.O. Olaniyi, January – June, 1990; Rev. James Wilkins, July 1990 – August, 1995; Rev. Dr Solomon O. Abegunde, July 1996 – December 2001; Rev. Dr S. Ola Fadeji (a former General-Secretary of the Nigerian Baptist Convention), January 1 – December 31, 2002; Deacon Professor Bisi Odejide, January 1 – July 31, 2003; Rev. Dr Amos Ojo Tella, August 1, 2003 – October 31, 2009; Deacon Dr Tunji Oladapo, 1 November 2009 – 28 February, 2010; Rev. Timothy Adigun Olufayo, 1 March, 2010 – 4 July, 2021; and Deacon Dr Temitope Adeleye, 5 July – 31 October, 2021. The incumbent, at the 42nd anniversary year, is Rev. Dr Adesegun Bamidele Jayesimi (1 November, 2021 to date). Before his call into the pastorate of UIBC, Dr Jayesimi had served as Conference President (initially Conference Secretary) of Ogun Baptist Conference. He has been a spiritual coach with enormous energy and tested pastoral leadership qualities and administrative experience at the (local) Church, Associational, Conference and Convention levels.
​Apart from the apex leaders mentioned above, UIBC has, at various times in its history, enjoyed the services of other pastors who have played significant roles, including standing in for the substantive pastors and leaders, or manning some strategic ministries under the auspices of the Baptist Services Centre. These pastors include, Rev. Ademola Adeyi, Rev. Daniel Ogundayo, Rev. Peter Adekanola, Rev. Odeniyi, Rev. Johnson Adebayo Folalu, Rev. Dr Emmanuel Ojewunmi, Rev. Akintunde, Rev Dr Jonathan Ojo, Rev Fisayo Olatunji, Pastor James Adekunle and Rev. Mrs Adenike Jayesimi. Rev Ogundayo, for instance, coordinated the BSF and Youths in the church in the 1980s and the 1990s, before relocating to Jos with his family. Similarly, Rev Ojewumi was, in 2004, seconded by UIBC to serve as pioneer Assistant Chaplain of The Lord’s Chapel (an interdenominational worship centre) at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. He later emerged the substantive Chaplain of that chapel. Besides, Rev. Olatunji currently coordinates the UIBC preaching station at Odande, while Rev. Mrs Jayesimi serves in the Children’s Worship Centre within the premises of the Baptist Services Centre. She is also the WMU Adviser in UIBC.
The Scripture affirms that: “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). Seasons are ordained by God and cannot be revoked. The beginning and ending of each season remains the reserved prerogative of God. In like manner, everyone answers to time. At this juncture, therefore, we cannot but remember some of the founding fathers and other members of this household of faith, who are now at peace with the Lord. They served at different times, left their marks in their various callings, and exited at different times. These included Dcn Prof. J.T. Okedara, Dcn Prof. Bisi Odejide, Dcn Layi Omoni, Mr Joel Alao, Rev. Emmanuel O. Akingbala, Rev. Dr Solomon Abegunde, Pa. John Idowu Onih, Surveyor Kofo Popoola, Mrs Christy Adejumobi, Dr Jesse Machuka, Chief Mrs Dorcas Onih, Prof. Wole Adebo, Mrs Nkechi Egbunike, Prof. Olumide Tewe, Professor Akintayo Adedoyin, Professor Francis A. A. Adeniyi, Mama Ayodele Mosunmola Tubi, Pa. J. G. Adetona, Professor Timothy Adedeji Awoniyi, Mr Jonathan Bukola, Engineer Adedayo Olaniyi Kolade and Evangelist Victor Adeniran, as well as a former Baptist Student Fellowship (BSF) President, Mr Oladunni Babalola. Among his peers, ‘Dunni Babalola (a First-Class graduate of the Department of Nursing, UI) was such an uncommon star in the firmament of God’s creation before his transition to eternal glory, shortly after graduation from the university.
All these departed men and women left their indelible imprints in the annals of UIBC in various ramifications. They certainly remain immortal for their accomplishments. Indeed, to many of us, they have only changed mortality for immortality. Each of them fought a good fight and finished the good race as indicated in Paul’s last charge to Timothy (II Timothy 4: 7-8). And they have handed on to their families (biological and non-biological), their loved ones, and the Church, the unquenchable torch to illuminate the world, in running the rough and tough race in these perilous times. We all continue to pray for moral and spiritual strength to be worthy of the bequest.
Like all other institutions, run by human beings, UI Baptist Church has had its own trying moments and passed through vicissitudes at various stages of its development, many of which she succeeded in surmounting. Consequently, to the glory of God, the pickles of conflicts, fissures and allied challenges have not significantly detracted from the overall growth and development of the household of faith; the church is certainly marching on, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).
Before rounding off, one cannot but mention briefly the now defunct Yoruba Service of UIBC, coordinated at various stages and in varying degrees by Prof. Okedara, Rev. Akingbala, Rev. Dr Abegunde, Rev. Tunde Akinola, Pastor (now Rev. Dr) Olusegun Ojo, and Rev. J.A. Folalu. It was a vibrant and an integral unit of the larger UIBC family, with worshippers such as the Awoniyis, the Adejumobis, Mr Joel Olaniyi Alao (the then Bursar of UI), Professor Dan Izevbaye, the Adeniyis (later of Ijaye-Orile Baptist Church), the Ayoolas (now of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church), the Dayo Ayansinas, Mrs Abimbola Tewe, Mrs Bola Onigbinde, Mrs Aderemi Lafinhan, Sister Iyabo Ojelabi (now Rev Dr Mrs Elizabeth Iyabo Aderounmu who is the incumbent Director of the Social Ministries Department of the Nigerian Baptist Convention), Mr & Mrs Clement Olowookere, and the Ademola Ajayis, among others. Aged parents of members, as well as members’ house-helps, who were not so versed in English language, found a ready place for fellowshipping in the Yoruba Service unit at that time. It is difficult to forget so easily the Christian bond among the members and worshippers at that material point in time. Today, a remnant of the Yoruba service has continued in a Sunday School class in UIBC.
On a commemorative occasion such as this, there will be the usual euphoria and spate of eulogies. These, no doubt, are valid, vital and desirous aspects of celebrating UIBC at 43. But then, this is also an auspicious occasion for stock-taking and sober reflection on the journey so far, by all stakeholders, old and young, leadership and followership, male and female. The Church in Nigeria (generally) today, is greatly immersed in bickering, animosity, pettiness, divisiveness, poor inter-personal relationships, backbiting, toxic and cold war politics, intolerance, conceit, hypocrisy, cheating, and the like. A combination of all these has not only engendered suspicion, but has turned the household of faith into congregations at war within and without. Through changing eras, UIBC has experienced its fair share of these challenges these past 43 years, many of which she has, to the glory of God, succeeded in surmounting with grace and dignity.
On this auspicious occasion, however, there is need for more concerted efforts to promote unity, a more practical demonstration of love, and more harmonious relationships and interrelationships among members. This will go a long way in enhancing the dreams of the founding fathers of UIBC in particular and the Nigerian Baptist family in general, and thus accelerating the march towards actualising the Great Commission, in more practical ways, beyond lip service and mere rhetoric.
To round off, there is no gainsaying the fact that from a humble beginning in January 1982, the University of Ibadan Baptist Church at 43 this year, has attained a milestone worth celebrating. We give thanks and offer praises to God for such an impact-making ministry; more so, for the light and legacy of UIBC, and indeed, the Baptist Services Centre. Hearty Congratulations to all; and, wishing all stakeholders a happy 43rd anniversary!

Up UI Baptist Church (UIBC)!
Up Bodija Estate Baptist Church (BEBC)!!
Up The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC)!!!

Gaudeamus Igitur (So let us rejoice)!!!!
S. Ademola AJAYI, FNACM
University of Ibadan Baptist Church (UIBC)
(10 January, 2025)