It was a day of honour for the retiring Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese (Anglican Communion), Most Rev’d Joseph Akinfenwa, as eminent members eulogised him for transforming the Diocese in all spheres.
The renowned cleric, who will be officially retiring from service in the vineyard on 24 May, 2026 at the age of 70 after having served as a Bishop from 1998, was praised for lifting the Diocese to an enviable height.
Bishop Akinfenwa, who was said to have raised the bar of the Church, was eulogised for transforming the Diocese spiritually, socially and administratively.
A well-attended press conference was held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Monday, as part of a week-long activities to celebrate the retirement of the cleric.
In attendance at the press conference were the Chancellor of the Ibadan Diocese and a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Helen Ogunwumiju; Registrar of the Diocese, Prince Adeniran Adeyemo;
Provost of the Diocese, Very Rev Johnson Olusegun Falaye; Clerical Secretary, Venerable Adepoju Adebayo; Outgoing Financial Adviser; Chief Ebenezer Adewale Jolaoso; and Deputy Registrar, Barrister Tunde Olupona.
Addressing the press conference, Justice Helen Ogunwumiju said the essence was for the Ibadan Diocese (Anglican Communion) to let the whole world know how much Bishop Akinfenwa, the outgoing Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, was appreciated.
“The purpose of the press conference is to highlight for all the world to see and to hear all about what can be done to appreciate the outgoing Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Bishop Joseph Olatunji Akinfenwa,” she said.
The retirement activities, scheduled for between 18 May and 24 May, 2026, would draw Anglican faithful, church leaders, dignitaries and members of the public from across the country.
Born on 24 May, 1956, the retiring Most Rev’d Joseph Akinfenwa joined the Priesthood and was priested in 1988.
He became the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese in 1998 and was later translated to the Diocese of Ibadan in 2000 and elevated as Archbishop of the Ibadan Province in 2002.
Justice Helen Ogunwumiju reeled out the contributions of the retiring cleric, stating that, under the leadership of Bishop Akinfenwa, Ibadan Diocese witnessed remarkable expansion and institutional growth.
“At the time he assumed office in 2000, the Diocese had only four archdeaconries —Cathedral, Molete, Nalende and Bodija — often referred to as the “Big Four.”
“During his 26-year reign, the bishop inaugurated 10 additional archdeaconries, including Ijokodo Archdeaconry in 2007; Oke-Bola, Oluyole, Asi, Ekotedo and Olubadan Archdeaconries in 2009;
“Akobo Archdeaconry in 2014; Bishop Olajide Missionary Archdeaconry in 2023; and both Archdeacon Olufosoye Missionary Archdeaconry and Arapaja Missionary Archdeaconry in 2025.
“The Diocese also established missionary fields in Monatan and Igbo-Ora in 2016, as part of efforts to spread evangelism and strengthen the Anglican faith in underserved communities.
“The Diocese records further showed that the number of parish churches increased significantly during his tenure, with 59 new parish churches established between 2000 and 2025.
“Similarly, the number of clergy within the Diocese rose from 57 to 163 under his administration.
“Beyond church expansion, Most Rev’d Akinfenwa initiated several institutional and social development programmes aimed at empowering members of the church and society.
“Among the notable initiatives introduced during his leadership are the Power Vigil programme, started in 2000 as a quarterly spiritual gathering; honours and awards programme inaugurated in 2003; and the Jesus Festival launched in 2005.
“Other interventions included cash awards for First Class graduates within the Diocese; youth development initiatives; Diocesan health outreaches; clergy training and retraining programmes, and vocational centres established by the women organisation,” she said.
The Supreme Court jurist also disclosed that Bishop Akinfenwa played a major mentorship role in the Anglican Communion, with several priests elected into the Episcopate under his leadership.
Among his mentees were Rt. Rev’d Akao, Rt. Rev’d Ibeagha, Rt. Rev’d Osunade, Rt. Rev’d Fape, Rt. Rev’d Okeremi, Rt. Rev’d Fajemirokun, Rt. Rev’d Olayinka, Rt. Rev’d Oduntan, Rt. Rev’d Olusola, Rt. Rev’d Adagbada, Rt. Rev’d Babalola, Rt. Rev’d Laoye and Rt. Rev’d Babatunji.
The retirement activities for the cleric included a house dedication and official handover ceremony, held on Sunday, by the Archbishop of Ibadan Province, Most Rev’d Dr. Williams O. Aladekugbe.
The week-long programme will also feature a provincial programme by the Christian Men Fellowship at the Molete Events and Retreat Centre; and a novelty football match at the Ijokodo Diocesan Playground.
It was revealed that the football match symbolised the historic meeting between Bishop Akinfenwa and his wife, Mama Comfort, on a football field several years ago.
“You may wish to know that Bishop Akinfenwa and Mama Comfort Akinfenwa met on the football pitch several years ago. That was where Baba sighted Mama and here we are today. This novelty match is to honour that God-ordained meeting and subsequent match,” it was disclosed.
The novelty games will involve competitions between women organisations and archdeacons, male and female youths, as well as male and female children from the Sunday School department.
Other activities lined up included a public lecture, titled “From the Cross to the Crown: The Travails and Triumphs of Faith,” to be delivered by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan.
A singspiration concert, involving mass choirs from churches across the Diocese, will also hold at All Souls Church, Bodija, while a documentary presentation, night of tributes and dinner will take place at the Anglican Church of Ascension Hall, Akobo.
The retirement thanksgiving service is scheduled for 23 May at the Cathedral of St. James the Great, Oke-Bola, Ibadan, while the Bishop’s 70th birthday Thanksgiving Service will be held on 24 May at All Souls Church, Bodija
The grand finale of the celebration will take place on 26 May at the Cathedral of St. David, Agboin, Ogbomosho, where a special retirement thanksgiving service will be held in honour of the cleric.
