The Rt. Rev. Dr. Ikechukwu Joseph Egbuonu was born into a Roman Catholic family, the son of late Chief David and Mrs. Rose Egbuonu of Uruagu, Umudioka, in Dunukofia Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria.

He began his early education at Aforigwe Primary School, Umudioka. However, due to financial difficulties arising from family instability—his father having married five wives—his formal education was halted. Like many Igbo boys of his time, he entered into apprenticeship, first under Mr. Tochukwu Umunze in Bamenda, Cameroon, in a business venture that lasted for six challenging years without fulfillment.

His life took a transformative turn on April 21, 1995, when he had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and became born again. Driven by a hunger for God in what he described as “a time where there was no king in Israel,” he immersed himself in spiritual fellowships such as Scripture Union Nigeria, Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF), Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC), and Full Gospel Fellowship International, rising quickly to leadership roles in many of them.

In a second phase of apprenticeship, he joined Mr. Onyebuchi Achebe in the pharmaceutical trade at Bridge Head Market, Onitsha (Ogbo Ogwu). After he was established in his own business and began to prosper, tragedy struck with the passing of his beloved mother at 10:10 p.m. on March 27, 2000. This deeply affected him, and he never returned to the market from the hospital where she died.

In 2001, he became a sexton and local helper at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Onitsha. He was later admitted into Trinity Theological College, Umuahia, under a self-sponsorship arrangement that was not officially affiliated with the Diocese on the Niger. His studies were interrupted in January 2003, following a withdrawal by Bishop Ken Sandy Okeke. He was redeployed as a local helper at Christ Church, Attah Road, Nkpor, and officially re-employed on November 1, 2003.

On May 1, 2004, he married Ifeoma Igboabuchi of Akokwa, Imo State. Their marriage is blessed with four children: Divine, Favour, Rejoice, and Great.

In January 2005, he was posted to St. Mark’s Church, Ifite-Awkuzu, and by September 2005, he was selected to return to Trinity Theological College, Umuahia. Following his Diaconate Ordination in 2007 and Priestly Ordination in 2008, he served in the following parishes:

• St. Matthias Church, Nkpor

• St. Andrew’s Church, Awuda-Nnobi

• St. Paul’s Church, Sanniez, Onitsha

• St. Monica’s Church, Woliwo, Onitsha — where he hosted the most outstanding Synod on the Niger and began the construction of a 3,000-seater chapel at the University on the Niger, Umunya

• Immanuel Church, Nkwelle-Ezunaka

On Friday, February 9, 2024, he was elected as the Second Bishop of the Diocese of Oji River.

Bishop Egbuonu holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as well as a Master’s Degree and a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies. His other academic and theological qualifications include:

• Diploma in Theology (Dip.Th) – Trinity Theological College, Umuahia (TRICOL)

• Bachelor of Theology (B.Th) – St. Paul’s University College, Awka (SPUCA)

• Numerous certificates from trainings, conferences, and evangelism-focused seminars across Nigeria and abroad

Bishop Egbuonu has served the Church and the Diocese in diverse, strategic roles including:

• Pioneer Coordinator, Diocese on the Niger Mission and Outreach Team (DONMORT), founded in 2008 under Bishop Ken Okeke and reorganized in 2012 by Bishop Owen Nwokolo

• Coordinator, Diocese on the Niger Strategic Discipleship Movement, aligned with the Church of Nigeria Strategic Discipleship Vision under Archbishop Ben Akanya and guided by Bishop Aloysius Agbo

• Chairman, Publicity Sub-Committee, Fresh Manna Conferences (under Ven. Ndubisi Obi, now Bishop of Nnewi)

• Chaplain, Gideon on the Niger

• Assistant Pioneer Initiator, Evangelist on the Niger

• Coordinator, Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association

• Leader, Anglican Children Ministry

• Assistant Chairman, Ugwunche Camp, Umunya

• President, Gospel Labour Partners (GoLPart), a global evangelistic movement

Bishop Egbuonu is known as a profound teacher of the Word, possessing exceptional insight into the Scriptures. He has ministered in various international settings, including countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the United States, and Canada. His ministry is marked by deep biblical exposition, spiritual authority, and evangelistic zeal.

His wife, Dame Ifeoma Egbuonu, continues to be a strong partner and unwavering supporter in both life and ministry.

He currently serves as the Bishop of the Diocese of Oji River, where he continues to impact lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and transformational church leadership.