The Reverend Canon Rika Garba Ibrahim, was born in March 1972 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Rika Acheb in Mbushwo, Alaha community, located in USSA Local Government Area of Taraba State. This small farm settlement is situated near Baisa in Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State, a community bordering Nigeria and Cameroon.
Due to the remote nature of his birthplace, the year of his birth was certain (1972) but the specific day was not documented as there were no clinics or hospitals available; residents had to travel approximately 55 kilometres to Kwesati to access medical care.
When enrollment for school required a date, his parents selected March 14, a day he has since adopted as his birth date. He is the seventh of ten children born to his parents, eight of whom remain living.
Rika began his formal education in 1976 at the community primary school in Tutuwa. His daily journey to school required waking up around 4:00 AM, a two-to-three-hour walk that he undertook for three years.
His education took a city turn in December 1979 when his father, an employee of the Nigerian Army, was transferred to Port-Harcourt, relocating the entire family. Due to the military’s frequent postings, Rika moved between schools until he completed his primary education at Army Children School “A” in New Bussa, Kainji (now in Niger State) in 1982.
He attended Government Day Secondary School, Borgu, in Kainji from 1982 to 1986. Following his parents’ transfer to Lagos in 1986, he was admitted to Ikorodu High School, Ikorodu, Lagos, where he graduated in 1988. He then worked briefly for P.Z. Industry from 1988 to 1989.
His father retired from the military on health grounds in 1991 from Odogunyan barracks, Ikorodu. After his two-year stint at P.Z., Rika gained admission to the Federal College of Education (Technical) Bichi, Kano State, earning his National Certificate in Education (N.C.E.) in Business Education in 1994.
A major turning point came in 2004 when the Chaplain of the Nigerian Airforce Protestant Church, Ikeja, Venerable Group Captain O.G. Okoye, recognized Rika’s spiritual gifts and began to mentor him.
Okoye provided him with opportunities to preach during the Wednesday breakthrough revival program and encouraged him to develop his gifts in ministry.
This mentorship led to Rika gaining admission to the West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS), where he successfully completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology.
While still at WATS, Venerable Group Captain Okoye introduced Rika to the Anglican Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, the Right Reverend Peter Mutum, recommending him for admission into the Holy Order. On July 9, 2006, Rika was ordained a Deacon at Christ Anglican Church, Jalingo.
His home Bishop then sent him for further training to The Right Reverend Dr. Peter Awelewa Adebiyi, who graciously received him and sent Rika to the Lagos Anglican Seminary (LAS).
There, he concurrently achieved both a Diploma in Theology (Dip. Th.) and a Diploma in Religious Studies (Dip. R.S.). Bishop Adebiyi ordained him a Priest in July 2007 and fully received him into the Diocese of Lagos West.
In 2019, with the kind permission and encouragement of the Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, the Right Reverend Dr. James Olusola Odedeji, Canon Ibrahim bagged his Master’s degree in Inter-cultural Studies (MA) from WATS.
The Reverend Canon Rika Garba Ibrahim operates from the belief in the total man, possessing a deep faith in God’s power for healing and deliverance, a conviction drawn from his personal experience of being set free from idol worship by the Almighty.
He is a dedicated, spirit-filled Anglican priest with over 19 years of priesthood. He has been faithfully committed to gospel proclamation, nurturing congregations, and fostering spiritual, moral, and social advancement.
His ministry is marked by a strong record of liturgical leadership, pastoral care, community outreach, and church administration. He is deeply passionate about discipleship, mentoring future leaders, youth engagement, and strengthening the mission of the Anglican Communion. He is recognized for his humility, visionary leadership, and ability to inspire and unite diverse groups in Christ.
Before his elevation to Bishop, he served for approximately four years (February 17, 2022, to September 17, 2025) as the Vicar of Christ Anglican Church, Oworonshoki, Lagos.
Canon Ibrahim is happily married to Sarah Ibrahim Rika, and they are blessed with four children.
