Few theologians and leaders are as thoroughly and pervasively Christo-centric as Very Rev Solomon Adebayo Olukuade. His exegesis, theological reflection, and pastoral application are grounded in the truth of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. The Methodist Evangelical Movement (MEM) is deeply indebted to Very Rev Olukuade’s relentless yet loving articulation of the truth of biblical inerrancy. When people on both sides of the Atlantic have argued that the notion of an inerrant biblical text is indefensible and out of touch with the discoveries of contemporary biblical criticism, Very Rev Olukuade has held his ground. He has done it with remarkable spiritual and intellectual integrity, clarity, and persuasiveness.

Reaching 90 as an evangelical leader is a missional milestone, and it is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate Papa, Very Rev Olukuade’s long journey of faith, spirituality, and leadership. At 90, we celebrate his incredible and inspirational life of spirituality and service to our Lord Jesus as an evangelist, theologian, pastor, mentor and, most importantly, devoted disciple of Jesus. Very Rev Olukuade remains a father in the faith of thousands of people in Nigeria and worldwide. Very Rev Olukuade is an extraordinary example and a model of a whole-life disciple of Jesus Christ in public and private life. Under the intense and relentless institutional scrutiny and persecution, Very Rev Olukuade continue to demonstrate a genuine consistency of Christian character, a commitment to Wesleyan scriptural holiness, a concern for others and a clear dependence on Christ that is even more remarkable because it is ever-present but never domineering or monetized.

‎Born into the family of Pa Mathew Peter Arowosegbe and Mama Hannah Osamuko Fakuade of Egun quarters, Ifaki Ekiti, on Sunday, April 21, 1935, Very Rev Fakuade and his elder brother, Hezekiah Kayode Fakuade (now late) were the only surviving children out of seven their mother bore. ‎ ‎At an early age, Adebayo got afflicted with a disease that threatened his life but left its dastardly marks on his face. The death of his dear mother on March 31, 1943, not only plunged him into the abyss of neglect in a polygamous home where wives delineated turfs, but his father’s love was a solace for him.

Very Rev Olukuade started his primary education at the Methodist Primary School, Ilogbe Quarters, Ifaki Ekiti, in January 1942. His older stepbrother, Moses Ayodele Fakuade, a fantastic human, sustained his interest in education. Bayo, as he was fondly called, finished Standard Six in 1950. After an interregnum of two years, he returned to Methodist Primary School, Ilogbe, Ifaki Ekiti, as a pupil teacher. By the end of 1953, he gained admission to Methodist Teacher Training College, Ifaki Ekiti. He attended Wesley College, Ibadan, between 1955 and 1959 and later gained admission to the University of Ife in 1966, where he bagged a degree in English in 1969. He took a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Ibadan in the mid-70s.

‎Very Rev Olukuade’s teaching career, ‘dotted with scholarly pursuits, spanned several decades before he retired as a Grade A school principal in 1986. He taught in the following schools amongst many others: Methodist Primary School, Ikole Ekiti, Methodist Secondary Modern School, Ayedun Ekiti, Ifaki Grammar School, Ifaki Ekiti, Imesi Ile High School, Imesi Ile, Babalola Memorial Girls Grammar School, Ilesha, Methodist High School, Ilesa, Erinjiyan-Ikogosi High School, Omoluorogbo High School, Akure, St Michael High School, Akure, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Akure, Army Comprehensive High School, Akure and Aponmu High School, Aponmu Akure where he retired as a Grade One principal.’

 Very Rev Olukuade married Miss Rebecca Modupe Ajiboro, an alumnus of the United Missionary College (UMC) Ibadan, on December 22, 1966. They welcomed their first child, Olubunmi, on April 25, 1967. A son, Akintomide, soon followed, and Olubukola, Babatope, and Olutosin made up the whole picture. God has blessed them with five amazing children (now four, seeing that Olubunmi is with the Lord), and they all bear the legacy of true faith and are successful in their different spheres of endeavour. God has also made them grandparents through these children. ‎ ‎

Sacrifice is at the heart of the gospel—Jesus giving his life for ours. It is also at the heart of our own discipleship—taking up our cross daily to follow him. But sacrifice is intertwined with spirituality and service. We no longer live for ourselves but for God and others. That characterises Very Rev Olukuade’s approach to his teaching profession and, most importantly, his understanding of Wesleyan spirituality and scriptural holiness.

For the Very Rev Olukuade, there would have been no church ministry for him had he not found a personal relationship with Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour. He enrolled in the Tent-Making ministry of the Methodist Church while in active career, and in 1982, God prevailed on him to go into full-time ministry and jettison the business he was about setting up post-retirement. He hearkened and thus began the itinerant ministry that took him to Oke-Ita Methodist Church, Ago-Iwoye, in 1986.

In 1989, Very Rev Olukuade was elected as Bishop of Ekiti Owo Diocese by the Presidential faction of Methodist Church Nigeria. However, the settlement of the differences between the Presidential and Patriarchal factions of the church brought all the ministers together under one conference stationing process and prelateship of His Eminence Sunday Mbang. For Very Rev Olukuade, no price is too much to pay for the unity and revival of the church because all he wanted was to make Jesus known through his lifestyle, marriage, and preaching.

Very Rev Olukuade was subsequently stationed as Presbyter at the Agodi Methodist Church, Ibadan. He was transferred to the Hoare’s Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Yaba Lagos, in 1994. From Yaba, he was moved to the Methodist Theological Institute in Sagamu in 1997 to lecture and raise young ministers. He eventually moved to the Methodist Cathedral in Agbowa, Sagamu, in 1999, where he voluntarily retired from the church ministry in 2003. His ministry was highly impacted by his grounding in the faith through the ministry of the Scripture Union. It was no wonder that he was highly involved in the evangelical thrust of the Methodist Church through the Methodist Evangelical Movement, MEM. ‎ ‎

The Methodist Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo, Bishop Olu Akinola, writes, ‘The Very Rev Solomon Adebayo Olukuade. You mentored many of us in the way of the Lord with your life of holiness, simplicity, generosity, accommodating, loving-kindness, principle, and prayer. I remember when you told us twenty-four years ago that you wanted to retire voluntarily from full-time active ministry when you were just sixty-six years old; we could not convince you because you are a man of prayers and principle. You said, “I have Prayed”. God has been so good to you according to His word. The rest of your years shall be the best. We celebrate you and our Mama. Your home has been our home, your God is our God, and He will be our guide even unto death. Happy birthday, anniversary. The rest of your years shall be the best in Jesus Christ’s name. You are loved and cherished.’

Beyond being born into a world far removed from the digital age, Very Rev Olukuade’s transformative leadership and ministry is not just about expanding numbers; it is about deepening faith and intentional discipleship. Alongside his wife, their missional vision is clear: cultivating disciples of Jesus Christ, echoing the fervour of the early Christian church and Wesleyan spiritual awakening. The profound impact of Very Rev Olukuade’s ministry remains unprecedented and unforgettable. From a personal perspective, Very Rev Olukuade’s love of the Lord and his heart for the lost has given focus to my Christian life and ministry.

Happy renewing 90th birthday, Baba MEM.