From John Silas
Leaders of The First African Church Mission (Worldwide) have described the forthcoming retirement of His Eminence,
The Most Rev.Sunday Oludare Matilukuro, JP, as the culmination of a remarkable legacy of service, spiritual leadership, and transformational development that has significantly advanced the mission of the church over the past two decades.
The commendation was made by Dr. Solomon Ola-Komolafe, Chairman of the Primate Retirement Committee, and Rt. Rev. Boma Williams, Secretary of the Committee, in a statement issued on Wednesday to inform members of the church and the public about the stewardship and achievements of the outgoing Primate, whose tenure will officially end in September 2026.
The statement, made available to journalists in Lagos, highlighted the Primate’s unwavering commitment to evangelism, humanitarian outreach, church growth, education, and ministerial development throughout his years of service.
Speaking on the Primate’s contributions, Dr. Ola-Komolafe said God had used Most Rev. Matilukuro mightily to achieve unprecedented milestones within the church.
Among his notable accomplishments, he listed the construction of a Prayer City in Omu-Ijebu, Ogun State; the acquisition of land for the establishment of a model primary and secondary school; and the completion and commencement of activities at the Bishop Jones Memorial Theological Institute in Ota, Ogun State, a seminary dedicated to the training of ministers.
The committee chairman further noted that the Primate successfully oversaw the construction of a Primate’s Palace to serve as the official residence of the church’s spiritual head.
“He also introduced and institutionalised the Bi-Annual Mandatory Refresher Training Programme aimed at continuous training and retraining of ministers for effective service,” Ola-Komolafe stated.
Rt. Rev. Williams, in his remarks, said the Primate, alongside his wife, Lady Mercy O. Matilukuro, built and equipped a hostel facility at the Prayer City for the Christian Mothers’ Association of the Mission.
He also credited the outgoing church leader with the successful repossession of two plots of land, including commercial structures, in Ogun State.
According to Williams, “The Primate, as an erudite scholar and seasoned administrator, has mentored countless ministers within the church and inspired many young people to pursue personal development and attain excellence in their various fields.”
He disclosed that Most Rev. Matilukuro will retire at the end of September 2026 and formally hand over the mantle of leadership to his successor on October 4, 2026.
Tracing his ministerial journey, the committee secretary explained that although Matilukuro began ministry as a Lay Preacher over 25 years ago, he was formally inducted into the Holy Order of The First African Church Mission at St. Peter’s Parish, Odi-Olowo, Mushin, Lagos, in 1998.
He subsequently served at Jehovah Shalom Cathedral, Lagos, for nine years before moving to Christ Church Cathedral, Oyingbo, Ebute-Metta. His dedication and leadership eventually earned him appointment as Fort-Holder of Lagos Diocese before his consecration and translation to Rivers Diocese in 2010.
Earlier this year, he was appointed Fort-Holder of the newly inaugurated Port Harcourt Archdiocese.
The statement further highlighted several developmental projects undertaken during his ministry, including nurturing and securing recognition for Our Saviour’s Parish, Iwaya; accelerating construction work at Jehovah Shalom Cathedral through direct labour; reviving church activities at Oke-Agbo; and facilitating the emergence of Christ Church Parish as a Cathedral and Archdiocesan Headquarters.
His achievements also included the revitalisation of Emmanuel Parish, Makoko, which faced severe flooding challenges, and the restoration of St. Michael’s Parish, Rumuekpe, and Christ the King Parish, Ikpoama, both in Rivers Diocese.
In addition, he spearheaded the planting of four new churches and played a pivotal role in the establishment and inauguration of the Port Harcourt Archdiocese.
The church leaders noted that he also supervised the completion and dedication of the new church auditorium of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port Harcourt, while improving facilities at the Bishop’s Court.
Born on June 8, 1958, in Enugu State to Rev. Benjamin Ajayi Matilukuro and Sister Clementinah Olayemi Matilukuro (née Adebulewo), both of blessed memory, the Primate’s life has been marked by dedication to faith, education, and service.
He attended Seventh-day Adventist Primary School, Abule-Oja, Yaba, Lagos, and Saka Tinubu Memorial Comprehensive High School, Orile-Agege, Lagos, before obtaining his Higher National Diploma in Business Administration from Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.
His academic accomplishments include a Postgraduate Diploma in Management and a Master of Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, as well as an Advanced Professional Diploma in Export and Shipping Management. He is also an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management.
In theology, he obtained a Diploma in Theology from Bishop Jones Memorial Theological Institute, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Theology from the National Open University of Nigeria, and later obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Systematic Theology from Triune Biblical University Global Extension, USA.
Beyond his ecclesiastical duties, Most Rev. Matilukuro has contributed immensely to academic development, serving as a part-time lecturer at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State Polytechnic, and the Lagos Outreach Centre of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology.
He also taught at Bishop Jones Memorial Theological Institute and Evangelical College of Theology, Port Harcourt, before being appointed Rector of the Evangelical College of Theology, Tere-Ama, Port Harcourt.
Before entering the Holy Order, he served faithfully in several capacities at St. John’s Parish, Bajulaiye-Somolu, including Chorister, Choir Warden, Parish Secretary, Class Leader, President of the Christian Unity Band of Nigeria, and Leader of St. John’s Voices, the first gospel music group within the mission to record an album.
Married to Lady Mercy O. Matilukuro, JP (née Olajiga) since 1991, the Primate is blessed with children and remains widely respected for his commitment to family values, ministry, education, and national Christian service.
He currently serves his second term as Vice President of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), a position through which he continues to contribute to the advancement of Christianity and national development.
As preparations gather momentum for his retirement and handover ceremony, church leaders and members alike have continued to celebrate a man whose years of faithful service have left an enduring mark on The First African Church Mission and the wider Christian community.
