Primate Matilukuro to retire in September after decades of service

Activities marking the retirement ceremony of the Primate of The First African Church Mission, The Most Rev. Sunday Oludare Matilukuro (JP), have been unveiled, with church leaders paying glowing tributes to his decades of impactful ministry and leadership.

Chairman of the Primate Retirement Committee, Dr Solomon Dap Komolafe, and the committee’s Secretary, Rt. Rev. Boma Williams, disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos that the Primate’s tenure will officially end in September 2026.

Primate’s retirement press briefing will be held on 30th June, 2026 at the  Christ Church Cathedral, Oyingbo, Ebute Metta, Lagos State, 11:00 am. Also,  the dedication of Primate’s Palace/Bishop Jones Theology Institute will be held  4th August, 2026, 12:00 noon.

Dedication of the Prayer City, Omu, Lagos State, comes up 13th August, 2026, noon.

Guest Speakers will give talks on  26th September, 2026, 12:00 noon at the  Christ Church Cathedral Oyingbo, Ebutte Metta, Lagos State.

On the 27th September, 2026, there will be a Change of Batton Service/Thankgivng @ Jehovah Shalom Premier Cathedral, Lagos, at 10:00am

The church described Matilukuro as a visionary leader whose years in office were marked by remarkable achievements in evangelism, humanitarian outreach, church growth, education and ministerial development.

According to Komolafe, the outgoing Primate spearheaded several landmark projects, including the construction of a Prayer City in Omu-Ijebu, Ogun State, acquisition of land for a model primary and secondary school, and the completion of the Bishop Jones Memorial Theological Institute in Ota, Ogun State, for the training of ministers.

He also oversaw the construction of a Primate’s Palace as the official residence of the church’s spiritual head and institutionalised a Bi-Annual Mandatory Refresher Training Programme for ministers.

Williams noted that Matilukuro and 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 Primate with the successful recovery of two church-owned plots of land and commercial properties in Ogun State.

Describing him as a scholar and administrator of distinction, Williams said the church leader had mentored numerous ministers and inspired many young people toward personal development and excellence.

Matilukuro’s ministerial journey began more than 25 years ago as a Lay Preacher before his induction into the Holy Order of The First African Church Mission at St. Peter’s Parish, Odi-Olowo, Mushin, Lagos, in 1998.

He served at Jehovah Shalom Cathedral, Lagos, for nine years before moving to Christ Church Cathedral, Oyingbo, where his leadership qualities earned him appointment as Fort-Holder of Lagos Diocese. He was later consecrated and translated to Rivers Diocese in 2010.

Earlier this year, he was appointed Fort-Holder of the newly inaugurated Port Harcourt Archdiocese.

Throughout his ministry, he championed numerous developmental initiatives, including the growth and recognition of Our Saviour’s Parish, Iwaya; revitalisation of church activities at Oke-Agbo; restoration of flood-ravaged Emmanuel Parish, Makoko; and rehabilitation of St. Michael’s Parish, Rumuekpe, and Christ the King Parish, Ikpoama, in Rivers Diocese.

He also facilitated the planting of four new churches, played a key role in the establishment of the Port Harcourt Archdiocese, and supervised the completion and dedication of the new auditorium of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port Harcourt.

Born on June 8, 1958, in Enugu State to Rev. Benjamin Ajayi Matilukuro and Sister Clementinah Olayemi Matilukuro, the Primate combines extensive academic and theological credentials. He holds qualifications in Business Administration, Management, Export and Shipping Management, Christian Theology and a PhD in Systematic Theology.

Beyond the pulpit, he has contributed significantly to education, serving as a lecturer in several tertiary institutions, including Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State Polytechnic and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology’s Lagos Outreach Centre.

Married to Lady Mercy O. Matilukuro since 1991, the Primate is also serving his second term as Vice President of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN).

As preparations for his retirement and handover ceremony gather momentum, members of The First African Church Mission and the wider Christian community continue to celebrate a cleric whose legacy of service, leadership and commitment to the growth of the church remains enduring.