We’ve no relationship with govt —Baptist Seminary president

President of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS) Ogbomosho in Oyo State, Professor Emiola Nihinlola, in an interaction with ISHOLA MICHAEL, speaks on the history of the 120-year-old seminary established by the Southern Baptist Convention in America, and the institution’s relationship with other conventional institutions in the country, with the aim of promoting quality education.

When was the seminary established?

The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary was established in 1898, that is 120 years ago, by the Southern Baptist Convention, USA, with the sole aim of training preachers for churches and leaders for other theological schools. Now, we concentrate on training church leaders in three basic areas namely; theological institutions, pastors and other church workers, as well as professionals for civil leadership who are in public service. All these were done in partnership with the Southern Baptist Convention in America, USA, until 1970 when the running of the seminary was transferred to the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC); the transfer was, however, completed in the year 2000. The seminary used to offer courses in Theology Education, with a certificate, which was an equivalent of Grade 2, Diploma, which is an equivalent of NCE, and Bachelor’s Degree up till 1991. In 1992, it introduced the post Bachelor programme and postgraduate degrees in two areas: Master of Divinity and MA, MRE, M.Th., M.Sm., M.Phil., D.Min., PhD, as well as coordinate other studies.

How is the seminary run as an institution?

Basically, we have 3 faculties: Theological Studies (biblical, theology, mission/evangelism); Education (religious education, teacher, community education); Church Music (African and Western Church Music). Presently, we have a population of 1,070 students in the two types of academic programmes we run (regular and sandwich), while we have a total of 78 academic staff (55 full time and 23 part time), as well as 10 visiting lecturers from UK and USA. The seminary also serves as moderator to 40 theological institutions across the country, as well as the Peace House in Gboko, Benue State.

What is the relationship between the seminary and other similar institutions in the country?

The Seminary, as at now, has two kinds of relationships with nine institutions across the country and serves as an affiliate to others. These relationships are based on mutual understanding, aimed at promoting educational excellence, with particular emphasis on moulding people who will go into the field to preach the gospel and teach the word of God for better understanding. I can say boldly that we have done so well in this respect and we hope to break new grounds as the years go by. The major breakthrough of the institution is its recognition as the first degree-awarding institution in Nigeria in 1948, even before the establishment of the University of Ibadan. Our products are found rendering services across the globe. The present Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Reverend Dr ‘Supo Ayokunle, is one of our products. We also have the likes of Reverend Dr Israel Akanji of the First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja; Professor S.P. Ango of Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN), Jos, in the academia, just as we have people from Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Mali, Zambia as well as Dr Momolu Massaqua, who is now a senior lecturer in Liberia. Some of the awards of excellence we have so far received include: Scholar Leader of the Year 2018 in Passadina, Califonia, USA, as well as Vice Chair, Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa.

What has been the contribution of the seminary to education in Africa?

We have contributed greatly to theological education in Africa with special emphasis on West Africa. The incumbent president of the seminary is serving as a Director of Inter Council for Higher Education in West Africa, while the Deputy President (Academics), Associate Professor S.O. Ayankeye is the Chairman of the West African Association of Theological Institutions.

How would you describe the relationship of the seminary with government?

The seminary, being a religious institution, does not have any relationship with the government per se, other than the usual cordiality and observance of all the laws that regulate education in the country. Aside that, we have some of our programmes that are affiliated to the University of Ibadan, while our postgraduate programme used to be affiliated to the University of Jos between 2006 and 2012, when we got our full accreditation through there. Another relationship is that we enjoy some of the facilities of the government, even though we pay for the services just as other citizens do.

What are the major challenges of the institution?

Our major challenge is that of inadequate power supply, funding, as well as inability to update our facilities. The total withdrawal of the Southern Baptist Convention from the funding of the institution greatly affected our operations negatively. Though we are doing everything humanly possible to overcome these challenges, we will gladly accept assistance from interested quarters in order to be able to do more than what we are doing now.

Message for the country

My appeal is for prayers for the Nigerian economy to be more enabling for the advancement of theological education, so that we have transformation in all spheres of life as desired by God. There should be peaceful coexistence and tolerance of one another, which will, in turn, boost the economic stance of the country. I also wish that Nigerians will rejoice with us as we celebrate 120 years of providing theological education to the people.