A Shepherd Emerges: Rt. Rev. Samuel Ifeyemi the New Bishop of Osun North

Rt. Rev. Samuel Olaitan Ifeyemi was born on November 2, 1965, into the family of Mr. John Olatuni and Mrs. Dorcas Alaba Ifeyemi in the Tosho family compound, Ibiade, Ogun Water Side, Ogun State, Nigeria.

His educational journey began at St. Michael’s Anglican Primary School in Ibiade, where he completed his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) from 1972 to 1978. He then attended Ibiade Comprehensive High School, Agodo Ibiade, graduating in 1982 with his West Africa Secondary School Certificate (WASC).

Pursuing his passion for education, he enrolled in Government Teachers College, Oni, Ogun State, where he earned a Grade II Teachers Certificate in 1984, marking the start of his professional teaching career—an essential aspect of his ministry.

Driven by a desire for further knowledge, he attended Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) from 1989 to 1993, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies (B.A. Hons). He later obtained a Master’s Degree in African Traditional Religion from the University of Ibadan during the 1997-1998 academic year.

Schools Attended:

1. St. Michael’s Anglican Primary School, Ibiade: 1972-1978
2. Ibiade Comprehensive High School, Agodo Ibiade: 1978-1982
3. Government Teachers College, Oni: 1984
4. Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan: 1985-1988
5. Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye: 1989-1993 (B.A. Hons, Religious Studies)
6. University of Ibadan: 1997-1998 (M.A. in Religious Studies)

Academic Qualifications:

1. First School Leaving Certificate
2. WASSCE O/L (June 1982)
3. Teachers Grade II Certificate (1984)
4. Diploma in Theology (1988)
5. Diploma in Religious Studies (1988)
6. B.A. (Hons) Second Class Upper (1993)
7. M.A. in Religious Studies (1997)

Working Experience:

1. Curate, St. Mary’s Church, Ode-Ekiti (1988)
2. Curate, St. Peter’s Church, Ayede, Ekiti (1989)
3. Curate, St. John’s Church, Oke-Sopin, Ijebu Igbo (1989-1993)
4. Curate, St. Peter’s Church, Faji, Lagos (1993)
5. Curate, St. John’s Church, Aroloya, Lagos (1993-1997)
6. Vicar, St. Luke’s Church, Ijeshatedo (1997-2005)
7. Vicar, St. Peter’s Church, Ikota, Lekki (2005-2019)
8. Vicar, St. Peter’s Church, Faji, Lagos (2019-Present)

Ordination and Preferment:

1. Deacon: June 24, 1988
2. Priesthood: July 7, 1989
3. Canon: May 6, 2002 (by The Most Rev. Dr. E.A. Ademowo)
4. Archdeacon: May 3, 2004 (by The Most Rev. Dr. E.A. Ademowo, OON, FNAL, Ph.D.)

Other Assignments:

1. Secretary, Lagos Archdeaconry (1995-1997)
2. Secretary, Idi-Oro Archdeaconry (1998-2004)
3. Associate Director, Prison Chaplaincy (2000-2004)
4. Director, Directorate of Prison Chaplaincy, Diocese of Lagos (2005-2021)
5. Director, Guild of Steward (2021-Present)

Other Achievements:

As the pioneer Archdeacon of Peninsula Archdeaconry, he transformed four original churches into 28 parishes, which led to the establishment of two additional Archdeaconries: Lagoon Archdeaconry and New Era Archdeaconry.

Rt. Rev. Samuel Ifeyemi is recognized as a seasoned administrator, prophetic preacher, evangelist, and visionary leader. He is also a youth developer and a relational personality. He is married to Mrs. Agnes Abosede Ifeyemi, a retired school headteacher, and they are blessed with three wonderful sons.