Supo Ayokunle

Deborah Ayokunle

​

(m. 1987)​

Supo Ayokunle
6th President of CAN
Pastor
Incumbent
Assumed office 2016
Children	3
Parent(s)	Amos Ogunkunle Theresa Bibilari Ogunkunle
Residence(s)	Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Occupation	Pastor

Samson Olasupo Adeniyi Ayokunle, CON (born January 25, 1957) commonly known as Supo Ayokunle is a Nigerian pastor and administrator. He was the 6th president of the Christian Association of Nigeria. He was also the 6th President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

He was born in Oyo State, Nigeria and married Deborah Ayokunle (née Adesipo). Until becoming a pastor, Ayokunle worked as a teacher and public administrator.

Early life

Olasupo Ayokunle was born into the family of Amos Ogunkunle and Theresa Bibilari Ogunkunle of Jagun Alawusa House, Isheke, Oyo Town in Oyo State. ^[1]

Education

He attended Oniyanrin Baptist Central Day School, Iware Road, Oyo State, graduated in 1971, earning his West African School Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level in 1977. He received his Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Ibadan in 1983. ^[2] He enrolled for a Post Graduate Diploma in Education in 1986. Ayokunle holds master's of divinity degree in Theology in 1992 at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, master's degree in Guidance and Counselling from University of Ibadan, Master's degree in Theology and Religious studies, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool in 2000 and 2003 respectively and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Theology in 2008. ^[2]

Nigerian Baptist Convention

Ayokunle was elected the 6th Nigerian General Secretary (now President/CEO) of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. ^{[3] [4]}

Christian Association of Nigeria

In 2016 he was made President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN], the largest Christian ecumenical body in Africa, after Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor left office. ^[5] He was re-elected in 2019 for another term. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

Publications

Books

• Major Keys to a Successful Christian marriage and the Family. Day Star Press, 1997
• Weapons for Winning your Battles. Ibadan: Baptist Press, 1998
• Fighting to Win. Glad Tidings Publishers, Ibadan: Glad Tidings Publishers, 1999
• ‘The Role of the Preacher in Minimizing the use of Religion for Violence’ in Ecclesiastes: The Preacher, the Church and the Contemporary Society ed. by Ademola Ishola and Deji Ayegboyin. Ibadan: Baptist Press, 2006
• Effective Christian Leadership in the 21st Century, ed. Ibadan: Baptist Press, 2010
• Building a Witnessing Family. Lagos: Dunamis Windows Resource, 2012
• ‘The Minister’s Family: A Glorious Example’ in The Minister and his Family (A Resource Book for The Life Builders’ Conference, 2009
• Church Communication and Conflict Management for Strategic Church Leaders, 2014
• Integrity: Key to Success in Leadership,2015

Articles

Ayokunle has written several articles for the Nigerian Baptist Magazine, the monthly publication of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

• ‘The Secret Life of a Vessel that Liberates’ in Kingdom Leaders: Vessels of Liberation. (A resource book for the Nigerian Baptist Convention’s General Workers’ Conference held at Bowen University, Iwo from February 1–3, 2010), pp. 1–14
• ‘The Minister and the Spiritual Mandate’ in The Minister and Spiritual Gifts. (Resource Book for the Ministers’ Conference, 2010, Baptist College of Theology, Oyo), pp. 25–31
• ‘Leadership Pitfalls: Preventing the Killer Diseases’ in Effective Christian Leadership in the 21st Century’ ed. by Rev. Dr. Supo Ayokunle. Ibadan: Baptist Press, 2010, pp. 37–50

Award

In October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari. ^[9]

References

1. "StackPath". www.nigerianbaptist.org. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
2. "PROFILE: Meet Olasupo Ayokunle, new President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN – Premium Times Nigeria". 2016-06-17. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
3. "Board Of Directors". BAPTIST PRESS (NIG.) LTD. Retrieved 2019-07-22.
4. Admin (2018-03-23). "AYOKUNLE, Rev (Dr). Samson Olasupo Adeniyi". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
5. "Reverend Supo Ayokunle Emerges New President of CAN". SilverbirdTV. 2016-06-15. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
6. Press, Fellow (2019-06-19). "Ayokunle retains seat as CAN president" . Retrieved 2019-07-21.
7. "CAN re-elects Ayokunle as President". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
8. Adeniyi, Olakunle (2019-07-19). "CAN inaugurates Ayokunle for second term presidency" . Retrieved 2019-07-21.
9. "FULL LIST: 2022 National Honours Award Recipients The Nation Newspaper". 2022-10-09. Retrieved 2022-12-04.