The Rt. Revd. Dr. Johnson Akin Atere was born on February 15, 1956, in Ikese-Oka, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Zaccheaus Omoteso Atere. Though his father was a successful produce buyer, a devastating fire ruined all he had and left the family in deep poverty. Despite this, young Akin grew up with the warmth, love, and spiritual encouragement of his father. At the age of three, he was placed in the care of his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Rachael Awawu Aiyewunmi, a devoted Christian who instilled in him a deep commitment to God and discipline. Her influence introduced him to structured daily devotions and instilled in him a strong passion for church activities. By age eight, he was leading family prayers, and by twelve, he preached his first message in church. This early start would shape the course of his life.

As a boy, Akin Atere was deeply involved in church life, joining the Boys’ Brigade and church choir at the age of three. He rose through the ranks to become captain of the Boys’ Brigade and choir master. He also served as Pastor’s Warden, Secretary to the EFAC and AYF, and led his church to numerous achievements in competitions across diocesan and provincial levels. He participated in church radio and television programs and was known for supporting his vicars, even staying with new ones upon their arrival to assist them in settling down.

Financial hardship hindered his educational journey after primary school in 1968. However, his uncle, Chief Titus Kayode Aiyewunmi, then an undergraduate at the University of Ibadan, intervened and sponsored him through modern school. Akin later hawked patent medicine for four years before gaining admission in 1975 to St. John/Mary’s Teacher Training College in Owo under the Federal Government’s free teacher education program. He obtained his Grade II Teacher’s Certificate in 1978. Between 1978 and 1990, he studied privately and successfully completed both WAEC and GCE as an external candidate. After teaching for seven years, he was admitted to Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan, in 1985. He graduated in 1987 and was deaconed on June 24, 1987, and priested on June 26, 1988.

He pursued higher education rigorously, earning a Diploma in Theology, B.A. (Hons), M.A. in Old Testament Studies from the University of Ibadan, and later a Ph.D. in Old Testament. He also studied at Lagos State University and taught Old Testament courses at multiple theological institutions including the Archbishop Vining College of Theology in Akure and Lagos, Lagos Anglican Diocesan Seminary, and the Lagos Diocesan Bible School.

He served in several administrative and leadership roles within the Diocese of Lagos, including CAN Chairman of Sango Division from 1991 to 1993, Secretary of Agege and Ebute Meta Archdeaconries, Head of the Directorate of Youths between 2000 and 2002, and Secretary of the Diocesan Church Planting Committee. He was active in media evangelism alongside the Very Revd. Yinka Omololu, co-hosting religious programs on FM Radio Nigeria and Positive FM Akure. He also lectured extensively on Old Testament theology and was Chaplain at the Chapel of the Annunciation, Archbishop Vining College of Theology, Akure.

He was elected and consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of Awori on May 14, 2008, at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Great, Mokola, Ibadan, and enthroned on May 29, 2008. Under his leadership, the Diocese of Awori has recorded notable progress in evangelism, church planting, education, and infrastructure. He established a Bible school and a secondary school, acquired numerous church properties and land for expansion, and led the diocese into a new phase of growth.

He is married to Mrs. Foluso Olukemi Ogunyemi, and their marriage is blessed with God-fearing children.