Prominent members of the Anglican Diocese of Ibadan including a serving Justice of the Supreme Court, Helen Ogunwumiju have paid glowing tributes to Most Reverend Joseph Olatunji Akinfenwa, the Archbishop Ibadan Diocese, Anglican Communion for transforming the Diocese spiritually, socially and administratively .

According to the eminent Nigerians, Akinfenwa has taken the Diocese to enviable position by raising the bar of the church.

The dignitaries who were elated by the legacy of service of Revd. Akinfenwa expressed profound appreciation for the good work of the Archbishop who is retiring from service in the vineyard.

A press conference was held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Iyaganku, Ibadan to commence activities marking the retirement of the cleric after over two decades of episcopal leadership.

Bishop Akinfenwa, born on May 24, 1956, was ordained priest in 1988 before becoming Bishop of Sokoto Diocese in 1998. He was later translated to the Diocese of Ibadan in 2000 and elevated as Archbishop of the Ibadan Province in 2002.

The retirement activities, scheduled between May 18 and May 24, 2026, are expected to draw Anglican faithful, church leaders, dignitaries and members of the public from across the country.

Under Bishop Akinfenwa’s leadership, the Diocese of Ibadan 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.

Church 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, Bishop Akinfenwa initiated several institutional and social development programmes aimed at empowering members of the church and society.

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Among the notable initiatives introduced during his leadership are the Power Vigil programme, which began 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, as well as vocational centres established through the women’s organisation.

Bishop Akinfenwa also played a major mentorship role in the Anglican Communion, with several priests under his leadership rising to the episcopacy.

Among those elevated as bishops are 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.

As part of the retirement activities, a house dedication and official handover ceremony was held on May 18, 2026, led 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, alongside a novelty football match at the Ijokodo Diocesan Playground.

Organisers revealed that the football match symbolises the historic meeting between Bishop Akinfenwa and his wife, Mama Comfort, who reportedly met years ago on a football field.

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 include 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 May 23 at the Cathedral of St. James the Great, Okebola, Ibadan, while the bishop’s 70th birthday thanksgiving service will hold on May 24 at All Souls Church, Bodija.

The grand finale of the celebration will take place on May 26 at the Cathedral of St. David, Agboin, Ogbomosho, where a special retirement thanksgiving service will be held in honour of the cleric. (The Nation)