The Rt. Rev’d. Samuel Oludele Ogundeji was born on April 11, 1960, in Bamikole Village near Ibadan, now in Oyo State, Nigeria. He is the son of Mr. Akanni Ogundeji and Mrs. Deborah Fabola Ogundeji. He began his formal education in 1967 at St. John’s Anglican Church, Akinajo, and completed his primary education in 1972.

He received his first baptism at St. John’s Anglican Church, Akinajo, in 1971, conducted by Rev. A. A. Apata, and was confirmed in 1986 at St. John’s Anglican Church, Yola, by Bishop Timothy Idowu Adesola.

In 1973, he moved with his elder brother, Daniel Gbolagade Ogundeji, to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he began an apprenticeship in tailoring. In April 1974, the family relocated to Yola in the then North Eastern State, where he continued and completed his tailoring training in 1976 and began working independently.

He married Rebecca Oluyemi from Ibadan in 1983, and they built their life together in Yola. Their union has been blessed with five daughters.

His journey in church ministry began earnestly on May 15, 1988, when he was appointed a lay leader at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Yola. In January 1989, he became a full-time church worker. In 1990, he was posted to St. James Anglican Church, Mayo Belwa, in what is now the Diocese of Yola. In 1992, he was admitted to St. Francis of Assisi Theological College, Wusasa, Zaria, where he earned a Diploma in Theology. He also obtained a Diploma in Christian Religious Studies from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1995.

In pursuit of deeper theological training, he enrolled at the Open Theological College, University of Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, where he obtained a Higher Diploma in Theology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2008. He later earned a Master’s degree in Theology from Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary in 2016.

Alongside his formal education, he underwent several trainings and courses over the years, including Boys’ Brigade officer training in 1987, child evangelism training in 1988, citizenship and leadership training at Shere Hills, Jos, that same year, lay counseling and discipleship training in 1999, and courses in peace and conflict resolution, urban missions, and interfaith relations from 2002 to 2009.

He was ordained a deacon on June 25, 1995, and a priest on June 30, 1996, both at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Kaduna, by the Rt. Rev. Titus E. Ogbonyomi.

His ministerial assignments took him to several parishes. During his theological training, he undertook vacation postings at St. Paul’s Church, Chediya, now in Jalingo Diocese, in 1993 and 1994. After his ordination as a deacon in 1995, he served as curate at St. George’s Anglican Church, Zaria, now a cathedral. Following his priestly ordination in 1996, he was posted to St. Mark’s Church, Kawo, Kaduna, as vicar. He then served at St. John’s, Makera (1998–2001), and St. Andrew’s, G.R.A. Zaria (2001–2004). In 2004, he briefly served at St. Christopher’s Church, Sokoto Road, Kaduna, before being sent on missionary work to St. Andrew’s Church, Plaistow, London, where he served until June 2006. Upon his return, he resumed duty at St. Joseph’s Anglican Church, Kateri, and remained there until 2010, when he was transferred to Our Saviour’s Church, Katsina Road, Kaduna.

In 2002, he was preferred an Honorary Canon by Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, and in 2008, he became a Statutory Canon. He was elected Bishop of Egba West Diocese in 2010.

Throughout his ministry, Bishop Ogundeji has held numerous leadership positions within the church. He served as Chairman of various District Church Councils and Deaneries including Kaduna South DCC, Hanwa DCC in Zaria, Doka Deanery, Kateri Deanery, and Gabasawa Deanery. He was Secretary of the Ecclesiastical Province of Kaduna and held several posts in the Bible Society of Nigeria and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), where he served as chairman in Sabon Gari, Zaria, and in the Kateri District. He coordinated EFAC (Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion) for Kaduna Zone and the Western Bloc in Nigeria. He also served as Chairman of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) in several local government areas and remains Vice Chairman of the Ogun State Government House Chapel.

He is a respected leader in the Church of Nigeria’s Discipleship Cohort, and a member of the Church of Nigeria’s Task Force on Interfaith and Reconciliation. Other leadership roles include coordination of Diocesan Lay Readers, chairing various diocesan committees, and representing the Kaduna Diocese at national church prayer meetings.

Outside the church, Bishop Ogundeji has been actively involved in social and community organizations. In Yola, he served as Secretary of the Ibadan United Descendant Association and held various roles including Secretary, Chairman, Financial Secretary, and Chief Whip of the Oyo State Indigene Union, Yola branch.

Bishop Ogundeji is also an accomplished writer. His published works include:

1. Identifying and Coping with Marriage Challenges

2. Identifying and Coping with Challenges of Choosing a Marriage Partner

3. What Type of Person Are You?

4. Iru Eniyan Wo Ni O?

5. Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges of Life

6. Be Faithful to the End

7. I Know the Plan I Have for You

8. Emi Yoo Ya Enu Mi Ni Owe (Parts 1 & 2)

9. Call Upon Me in Time of Trouble

Through his long years of service, Rt. Rev. Samuel Oludele Ogundeji has faithfully shepherded the flock entrusted to him and has left a lasting impact on the Anglican Church in Nigeria and beyond.

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