We’ve trained 6,000 morally upright ministers in 120 years ―Baptist Seminary

NO fewer than 6,000 ministers of God have been trained by the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso in 120 years of its existence.

NBTS Deputy President (Administration), Dr Simon Ishola made this disclosure, in Ogbomoso, on Monday, to herald the 2018 International Theological Education Conference of the seminary with the theme, “The Development of Theological Education in Africa: History, Challenges and Prospects” to hold starting March 6.

Speaking, Ishola avowed that the seminary’s insistence on high moral standards in its graduates was utmost rather than producing pastors en masse.

Describing the maintenance of high standards in the institution as a challenge, Ishola noted that many people failed to key into the fact that theological education differed from studying in other tertiary institutions.

He added that theological institutions also grappled with inadequate funds to keep up with its set standards.

“Over the years, funding has remained a major challenge of theological institutions as we are not funded by the government. Even those higher institutions funded by government are experiencing very difficult times let alone
theological institutions not funded by the government.

“Also, getting people to understand that education in theological institutions is not the same as in other higher institutions.

“So the standards of those institutions differ from ours which is higher. So maintaining those standards is challenging.

“We, therefore, don’t produce graduates en masse due to the need to maintain high moral standards. 6,000 have been trained since 1948 when this seminary started,” Ishola said.

While speaking at the press conference, Deputy President (Academics), Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr Stephen Ayankeye mentioned that President of the seminary, Professor Emiola Nihinlola will, at the three days conference, receive the Scholar Leader of the Year (SLOY) 2018 Award.

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The SLOY award is given by a United States based organisation in recognition of excellent leadership performance in theological educational institutions.

The conference will have in attendance 150 participants drawn from West African countries, featuring paper presentations from Dr Emmanuel Chemengish Emmanuel of the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa; Professor Deji Ayegboyin of the University of Ibadan; Director of Vital Sustainability Initiative (VSI), Dr Evan Hunter and Professor Andrew Igenoza.