By Uchenna Eletuo
Lagos, June 17, 2026 – Leaders of The First African Church Mission (Worldwide) have paid glowing tributes to the outgoing Primate, His Eminence, The Most Revd. Sunday Oludare Matilukuro, describing his tenure as a remarkable legacy of service, leadership and spiritual growth.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Chairman of the Primate Retirement Committee, Dr. Solomon Ola-Komolafe, and the Committee Secretary, Rt. Rev. Boma Williams, highlighted the achievements of the Primate as he prepares to retire in September 2026 after years of dedicated service to the church and humanity.
According to the committee, Primate Matilukuro’s leadership extended beyond evangelism to include humanitarian initiatives, church expansion, ministerial development and educational advancement within the mission.
Dr. Ola-Komolafe noted that the Primate’s tenure witnessed several landmark projects, including the construction of the church’s Prayer City in Omu-Ijebu, the acquisition of land for a model primary and secondary school, and the completion and utilization of the Bishop Jones Memorial Theological Institute in Ota, Ogun State.
He also credited the Primate with the construction of the Primate’s Palace, which serves as the official residence of the head of the church, as well as the introduction of a bi-annual mandatory refresher training programme for ministers.
“The Primate allowed God to use him tremendously in taking the church to unprecedented heights,” Ola-Komolafe stated.
Speaking further on the Primate’s accomplishments, Rt. Rev. Williams said His Eminence, alongside his wife, built and equipped a hostel at the Prayer City for members of the Christian Mothers’ Association of the mission.
He also cited the successful repossession of church-owned properties in Ogun State and praised the Primate’s role as a scholar, mentor and administrator who positively influenced ministers and young people across the church.
“His Eminence will retire at the end of September 2026 and, by the grace of God, will hand over the mantle of leadership to the next Primate on October 4, 2026,” Williams said.
The church leaders recalled that Primate Matilukuro began his ministerial journey 25 years ago as a Lay Preacher before being inducted into the Holy Order of The First African Church Mission at St. Peter’s Parish, Odi-Olowo, Mushin, Lagos, in 1998.
His ministerial assignments took him from Jehovah Shalom Cathedral in Lagos to Christ Church Cathedral, Oyingbo, before becoming the Fort-Holder of Lagos Diocese. He was later consecrated and translated to Rivers Diocese in 2010. Earlier this year, he was appointed Fort-Holder of the newly inaugurated Port Harcourt Archdiocese.
Among his numerous contributions, the Primate was credited with strengthening and expanding several parishes, reviving struggling congregations, facilitating the establishment of new churches, and playing a leading role in the creation and inauguration of the Port Harcourt Archdiocese.
He also oversaw the completion and dedication of the new auditorium of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port Harcourt, while improving infrastructure at the Bishop’s Court.
Born on June 8, 1958, in Enugu State to the late Rev. Benjamin Ajayi Matilukuro and Sister Clementinah Olayemi Matilukuro, the cleric combined spiritual leadership with academic excellence.
He attended Seventh-day Adventist Primary School, Abule-Oja, Yaba, and Saka Tinubu Memorial Comprehensive High School, Orile-Agege, Lagos. He later obtained a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration from Ogun State Polytechnic (now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic), Abeokuta.
Primate Matilukuro also earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Management and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
He holds qualifications in theology, including a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Theology from the National Open University of Nigeria and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Triune Biblical University Global Extension, USA.
Married to Sis. Mercy O. Matilukuro since 1991, the Primate is blessed with children. Beyond the pulpit, he has served as a lecturer at several institutions, including Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State Polytechnic, Bishop Jones Memorial Theological Institute and the Evangelical College of Theology, Port Harcourt.
Currently serving his second term as Vice President of the Christian Council of Nigeria, Primate Matilukuro leaves office with a reputation for visionary leadership, institutional development and unwavering commitment to the growth of the church.