Nigerian Baptist Convention

The Nigerian Baptist Convention is a Baptist Christian denomination in Nigeria. It is linked to the Baptist World Alliance, a big group of Baptist churches across the world. The main office of the Nigerian Baptist Convention is in Ibadan, a city in Nigeria.

Rev. Dr. Israel Adélaní Àkànjí MFA is the current president of the convention. The organization helps Baptist churches and communities in Nigeria by sharing Christian teachings and values.

History

The Nigerian Baptist Convention started with a mission from people in America in 1849. The first missionary, Rev. Thomas Jefferson Bowen, came to the Badagry area of Lagos State on August 5, 1850. The convention became official in 1914. It later helped start other Baptist groups in West Africa, like in Ghana and Sierra Leone.

Medical institutions

The Nigerian Baptist Convention runs several hospitals and medical schools in Nigeria. One important hospital is the Baptist Medical Centre in Ogbomoso, now called Bowen University Teaching Hospital. Since December 2009, Bowen University uses it for students to learn. The convention also has other well-known medical centres in Eku and Saki, and 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. 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 approach.

Theological institutions

The Nigerian Baptist Convention has ten training centers for pastors. The biggest one is the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary. It 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