Primate Sunday Oludare’s retirement: Legacy of service – leaders say

Two leaders of the First African Church (Worldwide), Dr. Solomon Ola-Komolafe, Chairman, Primate Retirement Committee and RT. Rev. Boma Williams Committee Secretary, on Wednesday, described the retirement of the Primate Sunday Oludare Matilukuro’s service after over two decades as a legacy of excellent service to humanity.

The church leaders gave the credence, in a statement, signed by the duo to inform the public of the stewardship of the outgoing primate that ends in September.

The statement that x-rayed the primate’s dedication to mission works, that transended envanglism, humanitarian to church planting, was made available to newsmen in Lagos State.

Speaking on the service, the committee chairman, said that, the
primate allowed God to use him massively to achieve unprecedented heights in the church.

The chairman noted the achievements to include: construction of a Prayer City for the Church in the Lagos State part of Omu – Ijebu, procurement of a Land Property for the building of a Model Primary and Secondary School, completed and commenced the utilization of Bishop Jones Memorial Theological Institute, a seminary for the training of ministers in Otta.

“Building a Primate Palace as the official residence of the overall Head of the Church.He did not stop at the above, but put in place a process of training and restraining of Ministers through the Bi-annual Mandatory Refresher Training Program,” he said.

Also in his testament, the Secretary said that, His Eminence, Dr. S. O. Matilukuro also partnered with his wife to build and equip a Hostel at the Prayer City for the Christian Mothers’ Association of the Mission.

“The repossession of the two plots of land (with a set of shops at the front) in Ogun State is a feat to his credit. The Primate, as an erudite scholar and a seasoned administrator, has mentored many of the ministers in the Church and influenced many of our youths to develop themselves and achieve very great heights in life.

“He is retiring at the end of September, 2026 and will pass the mantle of leadership to the next Primate of the Mission on the 4th of October, 2026 by the grace of God,” he said.

He added that although the primate started his Ministerial works twenty-five years ago as a Lay Preacher, he was eventually inducted into the Holy Order of the Church at Saint Peter’s Parish (Now Cathedral), Odi-Olowo, Mushin in 1998.

He served briefly at his home Church before proceeding to Jehovah Shalom Cathedral, Lagos, where he served for nine years. From there he moved to Christ Church Cathedral, Oyingbo, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

He became the Fort-Holder of Lagos Diocese, before his Consecration and Translation to Rivers Diocese in the year 2010. Early this year, Most Revd. S. O. Matilukuro was appointed, the Fort-Holder of the newly inaugurated Port Harcourt Archdiocese.

According to him His Eminence has been instrumental to various developmental projects included; nurturing and ensuring the recognition of Our Saviour’s Parish, Iwaya, accelerating the building works of Jehovah Shalom Cathedral (through direct labour), resuscitating of the Church at Oke-Agbo, ensuring the emergence of Christ Church Parish as a Cathedral and Archdiocesan Headquarters.

“Resuscitating Emmanuel Parish, Makoko, when it was being submerged by incessant flood. He also assisted greatly to resuscitate two dead Churches in Rivers Diocese (i.e St. Michael’s Parish, Rumuekpe and Christ the King Parish, Ikpoama), and ensured the planting of four new Churches.

He worked assiduously with some brethren to ensure the emergence and inauguration of Port Harcourt Archdiocese, as well as improving on the Spiritual level of the Parishioners.

“The Primate also ensured the completion and dedication of the new Church Auditorium of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port Harcourt; as well as improved on the Bishop’s Court,”

His Eminence, The Most Revd. S.O. Matilukuro JP was born on 8TH June, 1958 in Enugu to Revd. Benjamin Ajayi Matilukuro and Sister Clementinah Olayemi Matilukuro (Nee Adebulewo), both of blessed memories.

His father was one of the staunch members of The First African Church Mission, Saint John’s Parish, Bajulaiye-Shomolu.

The Primate started his early education at Seventh-day Adventist Primary School, Abule-Oja, Yaba, Lagos / Saka Tinubu Memorial Comprehensive High School, Orile-Agege, Lagos. He passed the Advanced Level GCE in 1978.

His attempt for further education took him to Ogun-State Polytechnic, (now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic) Abeokuta where he obtained Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Administration. Between 1998 and 2000, He bagged PGD in Management and Masters in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

He also possessed Advanced Professional Diploma in Export and Shipping Management. He is an associate member of the Nigeria Institute of Management.

The Most Revd. S. O. Matilukuro has Diploma in Theology from Bishop Jones Memorial Theological Institute, Lagos and currently concluding a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Theology at the National Open University of Nigeria.

He got married to Sis. Mercy O. Matilukuro JP (Nee Olajiga) in 1991 and blessed with children.His Eminence taught as a Part-Time lecturer at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State Polytechnic and Lagos outreach of Ladoke Akintola University for several years.

He also taught at Bishop Jones Memorial Theological Institute, and Evangelical College of Technology (PH). He was later appointed, Rector of The Evangelical College of Theology, Tere-Ama, Port Harcourt.

Prior to his admission into the Holy Order of The First African Church Mission, the Primate served in various capacities for many years in his home Church (St. John’s Parish, Bajulaiye-Somolu) as a Chorister, Choir Warden, Parish Secretary, Class Leader, President, Christian Unity Band of Nigeria, Leader of Saint John’s Voices (the First Gospel group to wax an album in the Mission)

His Eminence also holds B. A in Christian Theology from the National Open University of Nigeria and Ph.D (Systematic Theology), from the Triune Biblical University, Global Extension, USA.He is currently serving his second term in office as the Vice President, the Christian Council of Nigeria.