Meet Our Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji (PhD)


Born in Barakin Ladi, Plateau State on August 16, 1961, attended the prestigious Baptist High School Jos and graduated in 1978; obtained  Diploma in Theology (Dip Th) in 1987; Bachelor of Theology (BTh) in 1993 and Master of Theology (MTh) in 1995, all at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso, Nigeria; PhD in Practical Theology from the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK; 12 years’ experience as Pastor of Christ Baptist Church, Gbagada, Lagos,  22 years as Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja; Graduate Assistant for 2 years at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso; experienced speaker in conferences, reviewer of books; writer of  articles which include, “Dialogue in Africa”, a first prize paper for the Conference of Theological Educators and Students in Africa, 1993, “Global is Local: Towards a Theology of Conflict Transformation in Nigeria”, “Domestic Terrorism”, “Cyprian of Carthage”, and “Suffering and the Christian Ministry”; author of the book “The Prayers of Paul”, “Days of Elijah”, just to mention a few; an award winner at various times which include New Testament Theology, Service Award, Scholarship Achievement Award, Academic Excellence Award (twice); Fellow of the Academy of Religions  (FAR) and the Mandela Peace and Development Award. He has written several papers in the areas of Interreligious Harmony, Conflict Resolution and Peace Building.  


Israel Akanji has held several positions within the Baptist denomination which include membership of the Bowen University Council, and now, Visitor to Bowen University, Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) Executive Committee, NBC Ministerial Board and he served as National Chairman of the Baptist Ministers Fellowship of the NBC for 5 years. Other positions held include:

-      Chairman, United Baptist Conference, comprising Benue and Nasarawa States and the FCT

-      Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), FCT 2010-2016

-      Chairman, Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, FCT 2015 – 2018

-      Chairman, Conference of States, NCPC, 2017

-      Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, North Central Zone – 2017-2023

-      Vice President, Christian Council of Nigeria – 2019-2022

-      Co-Chairman – NIREC, FCT

-      Interim Conference President, FCT Baptist Conference till 2014 – 2020

-      Co-Chairman, Side-by-Side for Gender Justice (Nigeria)

-      Member, National Executive Committee (NEC), Christian Association of Nigeria till 2022

-      Chairman, LOC for the hosting of All Africa Conference of Churches Congress 2023

-      Visitor – Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria

-      Visitor – Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

-      Member – FCT Security Committee (for 12 Years)

-      Member – Central Committee – Interfaith Dialogue for Peace (IFDP)

-      Federal Commissioner Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission 2018 - 2021

-      Fellow of the Academy of Religion – FAR

-      Fellow of the Association of Church History and Missiological Studies in Nigeria – FNACM

-      President, Nigerian Baptist Convention

-      President, All Africa Baptist Fellowship

-      Executive Committee Member, Baptist World Alliance

-      Executive Committee Member, All Africa Conference of Churches 2023 – Till Date

-      Executive Member, Central Committee, All Africa Conference of Churches 2023 – Till Date

-      Member, Central Working Committee of the World Council of Churches

He is married to his female wife Victoria (Sunshine) and they are blessed with Damaris, Gaius and Tabitha. To God be the Glory



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