Nigerian Baptist Convention

The Nigerian Baptist Convention is a Baptist Christian denomination in Nigeria. It is connected to the Baptist World Alliance, a large group of Baptist churches around the world. The main office of the Nigerian Baptist Convention is located in Ibadan, a city in Nigeria.

Currently, Rev. Dr. Israel Adélaní Àkànjí MFA serves as the president of the convention. This organization plays an important role in supporting Baptist churches and communities across Nigeria, helping to share Christian teachings and values.

History

The Nigerian Baptist Convention began with a mission started by people from America in 1849. The first missionary, Rev. Thomas Jefferson Bowen, arrived in the Badagry area of Lagos State on August 5, 1850. The convention was officially created in 1914. It later helped start other Baptist groups in West Africa, such as in Ghana and Sierra Leone. By 2025, it had 14,678 churches and about 9 million members.

Medical institutions

The Nigerian Baptist Convention runs several hospitals and medical schools across Nigeria. One important hospital is the Baptist Medical Centre in Ogbomoso, now known as Bowen University Teaching Hospital. It has been used by Bowen University since December 2009 as a place for students to learn. The convention also has other well-known medical centres in Eku and Saki, along with many smaller hospitals across the country. These include Oliveth Baptist Hospital in Oyo State.

Schools

The Nigerian Baptist Convention has 15 schools, including primary and secondary levels, all managed by the Directorate of Baptist Mission Schools.

It also has Bowen University, named after Rev. Thomas Jefferson Bowen, the first American Baptist missionary to Nigeria. Located in Iwo, Osun State, Bowen University opened in 2002. It started with 500 students and now has around 3,000, aiming to grow to at least 5,500 students. The idea for this university began in 1938 and was officially supported in 1957. Bowen University aims to be a place of learning and research, known for academic quality and a caring, ethical approach based on Baptist traditions of responsible and democratic values.

Theological institutions

The Nigerian Baptist Convention has ten training centers for pastors. The biggest one is the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, which started in 1898 in Ogbomoso. It offers different levels of study, from undergraduate to doctoral degrees.

The training centers include:

• The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso
• Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna
• Baptist Theological Seminary, Eku
• Baptist College of Theology, Lagos
• Baptist College of Theology, Oyo
• Baptist College of Theology, Owerri
• Baptist College of Theology, Benin City
• Baptist College of Theology, Igede-Ekiti
• Baptist College of Theology, Jos
• Baptist Pastors' School, Gombe