By Korede Akintunde, ACNNTV Abuja — The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has announced with deep sorrow the passing of its Treasurer, Mrs. Olayemi Dada, who died on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the age of 71.
In a Church official press statement issued on Friday, October 23, 2026, and signed by the Director of Communications, Ven. Raphael Aderinwale, the Church described the late Mrs. Dada as a faithful steward who served with distinction from 2020 until her death.
“She brought integrity, diligence and humility to her office, and she served the Church with distinction,” the statement read. “Her dedication to sound financial management and her dexterity will be greatly missed.”
Beyond her devoted service to the Anglican Communion, where she also facilitated program plans and led budget management as a Treasurer since September 2020, Mrs. Dada was a seasoned accounting and program management professional with over three decades of global experience.
Throughout her illustrious career in the development and corporate sectors across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, she managed operational budgets exceeding US500 million and oversaw consolidated program and financial reporting for budgets of over US1.5 billion across governance, health, education, and economic growth initiatives.
Prior to assuming her role at the Church of Nigeria, Mrs. Dada spent nearly 26 years with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Her tenure at USAID included serving as:
- Senior Budget Consultant (2017–2019): Based in Frankfurt, Germany, where she provided budget support to operating units covering Libya, Tunisia, and other regions.
- Senior Budget Management Specialist (1993–2016): Serving for over 23 years in Niger and Nigeria, advising mission management and program directors on complex financial operations.
- Project Accountant (1993–2000): Based in Nigeria, where she provided technical and operational guidance to government counterparts and non-profit partners on USAID budgeting policies and resource mobilization.
Earlier in her career, she worked for six years as an Accountant at the Canadian Embassy in Nigeria (1987–1993), managing country mission financial transactions, banking, and payroll reviews. Her foundational professional years included serving as an Audit Trainee at Arthur Young Osindero & Moret in Lagos (1983–1986) and as an Accountant at the Courtyard by Marriott (formerly Loews Westbury Hotel) in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, from 1980 to 1982.
She also among other committees of the Church, a member of the board of management of the Advent Cable Network Nigeria, ACNNTV since 2023.
Condolences and Prayers
Following the news of her passing, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, the House of Bishops, the clergy, and the entire laity have extended their heartfelt condolences to her bereaved family.
The Church leadership prayed that Almighty God would comfort and strengthen the family during this period of grief, while urging all members of the Anglican Communion to keep both the family and the Church in their prayers.
