Emmanuel Oyemomi is the Rector, Baptist College of Theology, Lagos. In commemoration of the college’s 25th anniversary, the rector speaks with Adeola Ogunlade on the nation’s educational system as well as the impact of theological education in raising new leaders for Nigeria. Excerpts.
CAN you give us an overview of the education sector in Nigeria?
Going back the memory lane, as far as Nigeria is concerned, I don’t think we have a solid plan. What we have is a legacy and what the impact of theological education has brought into the nation. Some great institutions that are renowned for academic excellence have become the cream of the whole world-Oxford, Harvard etc. History made us know that they started as seminaries but these institutions later metamorphosed into other areas of education. J.C. Pool, the first principal of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomosho, Oyo State was offered a license for a chartered university by the then President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe which was rejected. The same seminary later became the first degree awarding institution in Nigeria.
As far as this nation and Africa are concerned, writing and education are not our heritage; treasures not documented and whatever education is in Nigeria is heritage is the aftermath of theological education in Nigeria. All the schools the government took over started as mission schools and the government was not maintaining the legacy of the mission schools. When you talk of academic integrity and soundness, we find them among the mission schools across the country; they are functional.
Government keyed into education and made it a political matter to fight religion. This is through legislating against the schools. History was also doctored out of the curriculum. Several subjects have been removed as well.
The nation has lost its bearing in terms of education with consistent strikes by ASUU which affect the future of the students. We are yet to get our bearing in education. Awolowo ensured that education became a natural priority to benefit the citizens but the reverse is the case today. It is sad that we don’t value education just as it is in a deplorable state today.
What would you describe as the impact of theological education in the country?
The impact of theological education is multifaceted. It made possible the establishment of many churches today; it also gave birth to proliferation of schools. These are the immediate impacts in the 1950’s when primary schools were virtually free.
If children were very intelligent, the missionaries gave scholarships to them. At that time, Africans did not have much value for education. The missionaries hired standard six graduates and so many lives were uplifted. Missionaries hired them for several jobs in public spaces.
How can theological education help those in leadership positions?
Theological education must be given a space to shape leaders. We need to watch the track records of our leaders. Our leaders even boasted that our votes meant nothing to them. We have a crop of leaders who have no track records and all they do is to manipulate.
Theological education has been ostracised. In the last few years, theology education has been waged war against. It is a threat/war against the source of peace which is God. Theological education can have a great impact on our leaders which is a study about God. It is education that gives a transformation to be godly. In theology education, you are taught how you must have concern for fellow human beings, when utilized, the impact is best.
Theological education indicates that God is indivisible, and most people with sound theological education act right.
Theological education can train people who will lead the people.
Theological education has produced leaders for the country who are functioning in various places.
Theological education has helped people to be versatile but they are being massacred due to selfishness, nepotism, and tribalism in the country. God authenticates theological education as we will all return to God.
What is the vision of Baptist College of Theology, (BCT) Lagos?
The impact of BCT, in Lagos, has been enormous. The goal is to produce godliness, character formation, and spiritual formation for Christian ministry. The College also provides sound spirituality to mould people’s lives for 25 years.
It has continued to raise giants for the lord. We have provided for a lot of people around the world, not only in Nigeria. We have our graduates in all states in Nigeria. Some of our products have become prominent persons within the denominations and also in government. Several of our students have been trained and they are using their God-given training to help the government and be supportive. We have our products across the globe. Most of them are in key places across the world. This shows that the training we provide is first class.
BCT Lagos has been accredited by the Association for Christian Education in Africa.
In Nigeria, it has also been a campus for NBTS. We secured full accreditation, the first college to stand on its own; we have secured full accreditation and have a partnership with several global bodies – having a strategic focusing programme to train people to know more about God. The college has 360o impartation. We have trained over 1,500 graduates since our inception. Our calendar of activities is stable and is not disrupted in any way. We just graduated 72 this 2022 to join the workforce to make an impact. We have also planted almost 20 churches since our inception.
Some of our graduands in the public sector/private sectors develop skills for others and equip them. We also train the working class who after graduation are advancing the kingdom of God and contributing to the nation’s growth. Our graduates are the salts of the earth. We also have our trained pastors working with the federal government and contributing their quota.
The college turns 25 this year and we are showcasing it through several activities.