December 13, 2024, was a day of celebration and pride for Aderonke Roseline Adeyemo, a B.A. Th. III student at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, as she emerged as the first-place winner in the Young Theologians Essay Competition. This remarkable achievement highlights the Seminary’s continued commitment to academic excellence.  

The competition, organised by the Research Institute for Public Development and Sustainability (RIPuDS), began with a call for applications from young theological and religious studies students across Nigeria. Students from various religious studies departments in colleges, universities, and theological institutions responded enthusiastically, with 77 participants attending the online essay orientation in May 2024.  

After submissions were received in mid-July, a rigorous blind review was conducted by five assessors from five different institutions. The first phase narrowed the entries from 77 to 10, followed by a second review that further reduced them to the top five.  The writers of the three best essays were then invited for a physical presentation to validate their authorship during the maiden edition of the Theologians’ Hangout, organised by RIPuDS. This event took place on December 12–13, 2024, at the United Missionary Church of Africa Theological College (UMCATC), Ilorin.  

The finalists were:  
– Rasaki James Inga (ECWA Theological College, Kano)
– Roseline Aderonke Adeyemo (Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso)
– Sunday Julius (ECWA Theological Seminary, Igbaja)

Following an engaging and competitive presentation, scholarships were awarded to the top three participants.

Roseline Aderonke Adeyemo emerged as the first-place winner and received the grand prize of ₦100,000, while the other two finalists received ₦50,000 each.  

This achievement not only celebrates the brilliance of our students but also reaffirms the Seminary’s dedication to academic excellence and intellectual growth in theology.

Congratulations to Aderonke Roseline Adeyemo for making the Seminary proud!

By Edward O. Nnanna, PhD., KIF