Akinfenwa Bows Out at 70 After 26 Years of Episcopal Service

…As Ibadan Anglican Diocese celebrates Archbishop’s legacy of church growth, youth empowerment, and clergy development

The Anglican Diocese of Ibadan is set to celebrate the retirement and 70th birthday of the Archbishop of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Joseph Akinfenwa, following 26 years of episcopal ministry marked by spiritual leadership, church expansion, and youth development.

Speaking during preparations for the event, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Helen Ogunwumiju, described the occasion as a celebration of “a vocation lived with fidelity, courage, and unwavering commitment to the service of God and humanity.”

Archbishop Akinfenwa, born on May 24, 1956, will attain the age of 70 on May 24, 2026. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1988 and became a bishop in 1998, serving first in the Sokoto Diocese before his translation to the Ibadan Diocese on May 2, 2000.

Archbishop Akinfenwa later became Archbishop of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province in 2002.According to the committee chairman, the Archbishop’s leadership has brought remarkable growth and transformation to the Diocese over the past two decades.

Under his administration, the Diocese expanded its ecclesiastical structure through the creation of additional archdeaconries, mission fields, and parish churches.

Among the archdeaconries established during his tenure are Eko Tedo Archdeaconry in 2009, Akobo Archdeaconry in 2014, Archbishop Olagide Missionary Archdeaconry in 2023, Archbishop Olufosoye Missionary Archdeaconry in 2025, and Arapaja Missionary Archdeaconry in 2025.

The Diocese also witnessed the establishment of mission fields such as Monatan and Igora in 2016, alongside the creation of 59 new parish churches aimed at expanding evangelism and strengthening Christian outreach across the Diocese.

Justice Ogunwumiju noted that Archbishop Akinfenwa met 57 clergy members upon his arrival in Ibadan in 2000, but that number has now grown to 163 clergy of different ranks and categories.

She further highlighted several programmes introduced during his tenure, including the Quasaripa Vigil in 2002 and the Honour and Awards Ceremony in 2003, both designed to encourage spiritual growth and recognise the contributions of lay members to the Church.

The Archbishop was also praised for his commitment to youth empowerment and education.

According to the committee, the Diocese instituted cash rewards for outstanding youths who graduated with first-class honours from tertiary institutions, while more than 60 clergy members have benefited from opportunities for higher education through diocesan sponsorship and support.

The Diocese’s annual Jesus Festival was also described as one of the most vibrant spiritual gatherings within the Anglican Communion in the region, attracting youths and laity from across and beyond Ibadan for worship, fellowship, and spiritual development.

The committee chairman also commended the Archbishop’s investment in healthcare and community outreach through quarterly medical programmes held at St. Anne’s Cathedral, which contributed to the development of St. Anne’s Hospital into a more functional health centre serving the wider community.

In recognition of his leadership legacy, Justice Ogunwumiju disclosed that over 30 bishops have emerged from clergy who served under Archbishop Akinfenwa across various dioceses, describing him as a mentor who consistently encouraged and prepared younger priests for higher responsibilities within the Anglican Communion.

She added that the Archbishop’s ministry also acknowledged the vital role played by clergy families and spouses in sustaining the work of the Church.

The retirement celebration is expected to attract clergy, laity, dignitaries, and members of the Anglican Communion from across Nigeria and beyond in honour of Archbishop Akinfenwa’s decades of service to the Church and humanity.