The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) has officially announced its 112th Annual Session and the grand celebration of the 175th anniversary of Baptist work in Nigeria, also known as the Dodransbicentennial. The event, hosted by the Providence, Ethiope, and Anioma Delta Baptist Conferences, is scheduled to hold from April 26 to May 1, 2025, at the Baptist International Convention Centre (BICC), Lufuwape Village, Kilometre 54, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.
Speaking at the press briefing on Friday, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji, FAR, FNACM, highlighted the historic journey of the Baptist mission in Nigeria, which began in 1850 with American missionary Rev. Thomas Jefferson Bowen. He noted that while the Baptist work began 175 years ago, the formal unification into a national body took place in 1914 in Ibadan, coinciding with Nigeria’s amalgamation by Sir Frederick Lugard.
Rev. Dr. Akanji lauded the NBC’s contributions to education and healthcare in Nigeria. He cited institutions such as Baptist Academy, Lagos (established 1855), Baptist College, Iwo (1897), and the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso (1898), along with the establishment of Bowen University and several notable secondary schools across the country. In healthcare, the Convention operates several hospitals including the Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Baptist Hospital in Shaki and Eku, providing critical medical services nationwide.
This year’s Annual Session carries the theme “Entering into Newness through Fasting and Prayer,” based on Ezra 8:23, reflecting a vision of spiritual renewal and national transformation through faith.
In addressing national issues, Rev. Dr. Akanji called on the federal government to intensify efforts in tackling unemployment, insecurity, and economic instability. He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initial reforms but emphasized the need for policies with a human face, urging further investments in infrastructure, particularly in roads, railways, and air travel. He also advocated for state police as a more effective security measure and called for a National Security Conference.
The NBC president stressed the urgency of overhauling Nigeria’s education system, improving the power sector, and addressing challenges in the health sector, especially mental health care and the mass emigration of medical professionals. He also urged state governments to invest in agriculture to mitigate food insecurity.
In a solemn moment, Rev. Dr. Akanji extended condolences to the global Roman Catholic Church on the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, describing him as a champion of peace and a friend of the poor.
Concluding his remarks, Rev. Dr. Akanji expressed hope that the Annual Session would be a time of spiritual rejuvenation and national reflection, praying for God’s blessings upon Nigeria and the global Baptist family.
