After about ten months of planning, four to six months of which were more intensive than the rest, it was time for the Annual Ministers’ Conference of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso. The events kicked off with a press conference held on Monday, September 1, 2025, in the Council Room of the Institution. The Chairman of the Ministers’ Conference Planning Committee, also the serving Deputy President Academics of NBTS, Rev. Olusayo B. Oladejo, led an opening prayer at 11.18 a.m. Thereafter, Rev. Adekola Alade, the former NBTS PRO, asked the gentlemen of the Press and all present to introduce themselves.

The gentlemen of the Press introduced themselves first. Men of the Press present Onsite were Wale Akano from Kings TV; the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) representative; Idowu Ogunbunmi from Radio Nigeria Ogo Ilu; Faith and Josiah Adebayo from Imole TV; Benjamin Eze Orji from Parrot FM, Femi Ogunlana from Ogbomoso Insight; Wale Akinselure, The Punch and Online were Christopher Adelakun from Oyo FM; Olawale Franklyn for Punch newspaper; Kemi Olaitan of This Day Newspaper; and Olatunde Ajayi of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Also invited were Yinka Adeniran of The Nation, Adekunle Adepegba from NTA and Aderemi Akanmu of Ajilete FM

On the side of NBTS, present were the President, Prof. S. Ola Ayankeye, the three Deputy Presidents – Prof. Olusayo Oladejo, Dr Gabriel Oyeniyi and Prof. Olusola Ayo-Obiremi. Also present were Rev. Olusegun Okunlola, the Registrar of NBTS, Dr Adebola Olatoye, the Librarian, Rev. Adekola Oluwaseyi Alade, former PRO, NBTS, Dr Gbenga Adebayo, the new PRO, NBTS, Dr Olayemi Akande of NBTS Media and Rev. Seyi Ojelade, the Advancement Officer of NBTS.

The President read his speech detailing a brief history of the beginning of NBTS and of the Ministers’ Conference. The theme of this year’s Ministers’ Conference is ‘The Gospel Minister and His Relationships’, the President stated. He also commented that ministers are expected from all over Nigeria and outside the country, and that the Conference, though sponsored by NBTS, is not limited to Baptist Ministers. He emphasised that if ministers are in good relationships with God and others, it will rub off on the membership in churches, the society and the nation.  Gentlemen of the Press raised questions ranging from the legacy the conference will leave behind to matters of security, challenges of Gospel ministers in contemporary times, and balancing ministry and politics as Gospel ministers to matters relating to the restoration of education vibrancy and commercialisation of the Gospel, among others. The meeting closed around 1 pm as appreciation was expressed both ways and Pressmen were encouraged to represent the Seminary appropriately.

Report by

Olusola Ayo-Obiremi

DP Advancement, NBTS