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Ezekiel AJANI

ASSISTANT Professor
college of LIBERAL STUDIES (COLBS)
RELIGIOUS STUDIES Programme

Ezekiel Oladapo Ajani is a Baptist clergy ordained in 2002. He is a native of Ogbomoso, Oyo State. He holds an National Certificate of Education (Mathematics/Physics) from the Federal College of Education Zaria, a Bachelor of Theology (First Class), Master of Theology and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) from the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Ogbomoso. He also holds a Master of Arts (Cum Laude) & PhD from Vrije University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from OAU, Ile-Ife, and a PhD from Trinity International University, Deerfield, Illinois, USA. While at Trinity, Ezekiel was an Academic Doctoral Office Scholar, and a recipient of the Way Bright Scholarship in the Intercultural Studies Programme. In addition, he served as the President of Trinity African Fellowship.

From 2000-2012, prior to attending Trinity International University for his third PhD, Ezekiel was on the Faculty of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Ogbomoso in the Missions & Evangelism Department. Since 2017, he has been a lecturer in the Religious Studies Programme, in the College of Liberal Studies of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State. In 2019, he was appointed the Programme Coordinator of the Religious Studies Programme (now Head of Programme); a position he holds till date. He is currently an Associate Professor and the Coordinator of Faith Integration unit of the University. He also serves on many committees of the University. Over the years, his research interests include: Missions, Pentecostal studies and African Christianity. Many of his works appear in academic peer reviewed local and international journals. As a Practical theologian, Ezekiel Ajani also serves as a local Baptist Church Pastor. He loves travelling, singing, driving and playing table-tennis. He is happily married to Adenike Ajani and the marriage is blessed.

Education
  • Trinity International University, Deerfield, Illinois, USA; Ph.D. Intercultural Studies (Missions) 2016
  • Vrije University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Ph.D. Pentecostal Studies/Practical Theology 2013
  • The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria/University of Jos; Ph.D. World Religions / Ethics 2012
  • Vrije University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; M.A in Reformed Research Theology (Cum Laude) 2009
  • Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria; PGDE: Post Graduate Diploma in Education 2008
  • The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria; M.Th: Missions / Church History 2003
  • Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky/The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria; B.Th: Bachelor of Theology (First Class) 2000
  • Federal College of Education, Zaria, Kaduna State; N.C.E: Mathematics / Physics/ Education 1994
Research

My research is largely in the areas of Missions and African Pentecostalism.

In Missions and African Pentecostalism, my research gives attention to the laudable indigenous creativities and dynamics of Missions in Nigeria and the Reverse Missions efforts of African immigrant Pentecostals in the West. 
One of my major contributions to scholarship that has rightly captured this research 
focus is my latest book; Beyond Africa: Reverse Missions Efforts of African Immigrant Churches in North America- The Story of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus House Chicago (2023). This work captures the dimensions of indigenous Christian missions efforts of Africans (Nigeria) at the home front, and their reverse missions efforts in the West, in this case, the United States of America. Christian Missions in Africa, by Africans has arguably come of age. This is visible in the local and international missions activities by Africans. In the phenomenon called “Reverse Missions,” Africans continue to ‘re-evangelise’ the West, which continues to witness the decline of Christianity.

Institutional Service
  • Secretary, Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies- 2017 – 2019 
  • Secretary, Plagiarism Committee- Fac. of Humanities Bowen University 2017- 2019
  • Guest speaker on Academic Motivation Talk for 100 Level Students of Bowen University, Iwo, First Semester, 2018/2019 Academic Session
  • Local Organizing Committee Chairman, International Conference on African Pentecostalism, Bowen University, Iwo June 2018
  • Member, Committee on the Development of History for Bowen University, Iwo – 2018- till date
  • Faculty of Humanities Representative, in the Faculty of Law- 2018/2019 academic session
  • Chairman, Faculty of Humanities Committee on Long Essays 2018/2019 academic session
  • Programme Coordinator, B.A Programme in Religious Studies 2019 till date
  • Programme Coordinator, M.A Programme in Religious Studies 2019 till date
  • Representative of the College of Liberal Studies on the Board of Post-Graduate Studies- 2019- 2021
  • Provision of free counselling consultations and Long Essay Guidance to students of the College of Liberal Studies, Bowen University 2019- till date
  • Assisting the History & International Studies Programme to teach courses in History in the 2018/2019 academic session (I teach HST 230 & HST 432)
  • Chairman, Committee on developing short term courses and Enhancing Students enrolment in the College- 2019/2020 Academic session.
  • Member, College of Liberal Studies Post-graduate Committee- 2019- till date
  • Member, Post-graduate Studies Board, BUI College of Post-graduate Studies- 2019/2020
  • Member, Inter-disciplinary Discourse Committee, College of Post-graduate Studies- 2019/2020
  • Part-time Chaplain, Bowen University Chaplaincy Unit, 2020- till date
  • Chairman, Bowen Baptist Students’ Fellowship Officers’ Elections, 2019/2020 Academic session
  • Member, Post Graduate Exam Committee- 2019/2020 Academic Session
  • Member, Bowen Subcommittee of Selections Committee on the search for University Chaplain- 2020
  • Acting for the College Acting Provost; from 8-11, February 2021
  • Chairman, Investigation Committee on Missing Clarinet in the Music Programme; February, 2021
  • Member, Scholarships & Awards Committee- 2021
  • Chairman, Bowen University Faith Integration Steering Committee- 2021-2022
  • Chairman Bowen Baptist Students’ Fellowship Officers’ Elections, 2021/2022 Academic session
  • Acting as Provost in the absence of the Provost, COLBS- 30th March to April 1st , 2021
  • Acting as Provost in the absence of the Provost, COLBS- 21st to 29th June, 2021
  • Acting as Provost in the absence of the Provost, COLBS- 15th to 21st September. 2021.
  • Member, Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars Hosting Committee, October 6-7, 2021
  • Acting as Provost in the absence of the Provost, COLBS- 10th to 12th November. 2021.
  • Member, Bowen University Strategic Planning Committee for 2022-2022 Strategic Plan- 2021-2022.
  • Chairman, Liberal Studies Quality Assurance Committee, 2021/2022 Session
  • Chairman, College of Liberal Studies Adhoc Panel on Examination Irregularities- Second Semester 2021/2022
  • Chairman, College of Liberal Studies Adhoc Panel on Student Misconduct, Second Semester 2021/2022 Session
  • Member, Educational Summit Committee, 2021/2022
  • Member, Directorate of Educational Services EES & GEL Review Group, 2022
  • Chairman, Liberal Studies Quality Assurance Committee, 2022/2023 Session
  • Chairman, LOC Joint International Conference by Bowen University, Iwo & African Studies Institute of Georgia University, USA. Held from Dec. 14th -16th 2022, at Bowen University, Iwo Nigeria,
  • Coordinator, Faith Integration, Bowen University, Iwo 2022/2023 Academic Session
Professional Service
  • Head of Programme, Religious Studies Programme, Bowen University, 2019 till date
  • External Examiner, M.A in Religious Studies, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State- 2023
Selected Publications
  1. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2010), “Reinhard Bonnke’s Crusades in Nigeria: An Analysis” in Ogungbile David and Akinade Akintunde (eds.). Creativity and Change in Nigerian Christianity. Lagos: Malthouse Press Ltd., 109-130. L
  2. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo, (2012), “Recruitment and Retention of Missionaries in Nigerian Indigenous Mission Agencies: A Focus on Calvary Ministries (CAPRO)” in A.A Akande, M. Audi and O.B Oladejo (eds.) Indigenisation of the Church in Africa: The Nigerian Situation. Ibadan: Baptist Press Ltd., 209-234. L
  3. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2012), “An Evaluation of Indigenous Creativities Among the Leadership of Nigerian Pentecostal Churches in A.A Akande, M. Audi and O.B Oladejo (eds.) Indigenisation of the Church in Africa: The Nigerian Situation. Ibadan: Baptist Press Ltd., 361-382. L
  4. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2013), “The Fate of the Converted in Islam and Christianity in Relation to Fundamental Human Rights: The Nigerian Situation” In Edison Kelengy, James N. Amanze and Deji Ayegboyin (eds.) Our Burning Issues: A Pan African Response.  Nairobi: All Africa Conference of Churches, 335-354. F
  5. Ajani Ezekiel & Fola Lateju (2014). Religious Pluralism and Conflict in Nigeria. In Issues in African Traditional Religion: Themes in African Religion & Philosophy, edited by Sunday Funmilola Babalola and Fola Lateju. Lambert Academic Publishing. F
  6. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo. 2014. Understanding Yoruba Religion through Ninian Smart’s Six Dimensions of Religion. In S. Oyin Abogunrin & I. Deji Ayegboyin (eds.), Under the Shelter of Olodumare, Essays in Honour of Professor, E Bolaji Idowu. Ibadan: John Archers, 135-147. L
  7. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2014) “A Theological Understanding of Divine Nudge Towards Conversion in Selected Worship Narratives in Acts of Apostles and its Missiological Implications for the Church” In Emiola Nihinlola (ed.), Worship God in Spirit and Truth: Ministry Enrichment Series, vol. 1, 279-309. L
  8. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2014) “Religion and Corruption in Nigeria: A Disparity between Faith Claims and Praxis” In Olajide Aderinto (ed.) Nigeria Yesterday, Today & Beyond: Prophetic Journey of a Century, 1914-2014. Ibadan: Baptist Press, 173-188.
  9. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2015) African Immigrant Pentecostals Ministering to Hurting Persons in the Diaspora: A Case Study of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus House, Chicago. In Emiola Nihinlola & Ezekiel Ajibade (eds.), Ministering to a Hurting World: Ministry Enrichment Series, Vol. 2, 52-75. L
  10. Ajani Ezekiel Oladapo (2016). The Practice of Deliverance in the Mountain of Fire   and Miracles Church: A Response to the African (Yoruba) Cosmology of Evil. In John Enyinnaya, Emiola Nihinlola & Reuben Chuga (eds.) Festschrift in Honour of Rev. Dr. Bennet Uche Enyioha, Theological Education, Ministerial   Formation and the Ministry of the Church in the 21st Century. Ibadan: Baptist Press (Nig.) Limited, 151-168. L
  11. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2019). Media Appropriation by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Nigeria. In Gbemisola Adeoti, Femi Abiodun, Ibrahim Olaosun and Olusegun Oladosu (eds.) Humanities, Security and Social Media, The Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Ibadan: Bookminds Publishers, 122-141.L
  12. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2020). Christian Perspectives on the Awareness, Causes, Effects and Practices in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Among Churches in Iwagba Area, Ogbomoso. In Emiola Nihinlola and Folashade Oloyede (eds.) The Church and the COVID-19 PANDEMIC. Ogbomoso: Kingdom Impact Publishing & Media Limited, 63-82.L
  13. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo and Adejuwon Olukemi (2021). Rev. S.G Pinnock (1869-1946). In Emmanuel Olumide Kehinde and Adelokoji Okejinmi Ijaola (eds.) Encyclopedia of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Apex Leaders 1914-2020. Ibadan: Baptist Press, Nig. Ltd., 148-158. L.
  14. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo and Kehinde Olusanya (2022). Enhancing Sermonic Communication in the African Context through Emotional Intelligence. In Kayode Akindele Ogunleye and Amos Ayooluwa Ogunsola (eds.) Christian and Leadership: Essays in Honour of Rev. Dr. Sola Lawal @ 50. Ogbomoso: NoFear Prints, 51-69. L
  15. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo and Victor Umaru (2023). Global Impact of the Leadership of Nigerian Mega Churches. In Ezekiel Ajani and Olaoluwa Moses Ojo (eds.) Contemporary Issues on Missions and Pentecostalism in African Christianity: A Festschrift in honour of Rev. Dr. Ezekiel Oladapo Ajani @ 50. Richmond, Texas: Hope Media and Publishing House, 1-18. F.
  16. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2023). Beyond Africa: Reverse Missions Efforts of African Immigrant Churches in North America- The Story of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus House Chicago. Richmond, Texas: Hope Media and Publishing House. F

Journal Articles

  1. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo. 2004. Christian Missions and Nation Building: The Nigerian Experience. Ogbomoso Journal of Theology, Number 9, December 2004:20-27. L
  2. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo. 2007. The Kingdom of God and its Missiological Imperatives for Contemporary African Missions. Ogbomoso Journal of Theology, Volume XII, 2007:17-35. L
  3. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2008). Leadership Dynamics and The Transnationalization of Nigerian Pentecostal Missions. Ogbomoso Journal of Theology, Volume XIII (1) 2008:154-166. L
  4. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2010), “Missiological Reflections on ‘Crusades’ in Nigerian Christianity as a Means for Conversion in Urban Missions”. Ogbomoso Journal of Theology. Volume XV (2) 2010:143-162. L
  5. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2011), “Raising and Administering Local Resources in Indigenous Missions: A Comparative Study of Calvary Ministries and the Global Missions Board” A Practical Theology Journal of Baptist College of Theology, Lagos. Volume 4, 2011:186-206. L
  6. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2011) “Spirituality and National Development in Nigeria: Critical Points of Disjunction” Ogbomoso Journal of Theology, vol. Xvi. No.3. 2011:173-186. L
  7. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2012), “Church Planting & Growth: Resources, Challenges and Prospects” Practical Theology Journal, vol. 5, 2012:75-87. L
  8. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2012), “Enemies of my Father’s House Die by Fire: Reflections on the Response of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries to African Cosmology of Evil” OJOT: Ogbomoso Journal of Theology, vol. xvii No. 3, 2012:29-42. L
  9. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2013). Scratching Where it Itches: The Response of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries to Human Sicknesses, OJOT: Ogbomoso Journal of Theology, Vol.xviii, No.3:1-15.
  10. Ajani, Ezekiel (2013). Pentecostal Movements and the Reshaping of Christianity in Africa. ORITA: Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies, XLV/ 1&2 June & December, 2013: 245-270. L
  11. Ajani, Ezekiel & Fola Lateju (2014). Islamic Education in Nigeria. Nigerian Baptist Journal of Religious Education, Vol. 1 April 2014: 87-99. L
  12. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2015) A Missiological Response to the Boko-haram Insurgence in Northern Nigeria, BETFA, Journal of the Ogbomoso Circle, Vol.10 2015:28-44. L
  13. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2017). Resource Development and Administration in Indigenous Missionary Organizations: A Focus on Calvary Production Ministries (CAPRO). African Journal of Biblical Studies AJBS, April & October 2017: 117-135. L
  14. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo & Funke E. Oyekan (2018). The Challenges of Power Distance to Women Participation in Theological Education in the Nigerian Baptist Convention Seminaries. Nigerian Baptist Journal of Religious Education, Vol. 2. April 2018: 28-42. L
  15. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2018). Missiological Approaches to Economic Recession in Nigeria: A Case Study of Selected Baptist Churches in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Nigerian Journal of Christian Studies, NJCS, Vol. 2, Number 1, October 2018: 122-142. L
  16. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2018). Religiosity and National Development in Nigeria: Critical Points of Disconnection between Faith and Praxis. Spectrum: Journal of Contemporary Christianity and Society, Vol.3, Number 1, April 2018: 72-86. L
  17. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2021). Transnational Dynamics and the Challenges of Cultural Adaptability among Nigerians in Religious Communities in the Netherlands. WAUU Journal of International Affairs and Contemporary Studies, WJAICS, Volume 1, Number 1, October 2021:47-154. F
  18. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo & Isaac Deji Ayegboyin (2022). African Pentecostalism and Media Appropriations: Picturesque Contextualisation of Evil in the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Nigeria. Noesis: African Journal of Contemporary Trends in Religion and Society, NACTORS, Volume 1, Number 1 May 2022: 201-228. F
  19. Olanrewaju Lateju, Ezekiel Ajani and Larry Ayuba (2023). Kinship as a Panacea for Christian-Muslim Relations in Yorubaland: A Focus on Iwo, Osun State. Pharos Journal of Theology, Volume 104 Issue 5, 2023:1-9.F
  20. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo  and Victor Umaru(2023). Missiological Reflections on the Intervention (Guidance) of the Holy Spirit in Acts 13:1-3 and its Relevance to Promoting Christian Missions in Africa. Scope Journal, Volume 13, No.3, September 2023:83-99.F

Articles in referred conference proceedings 

  1. Ajani, Ezekiel Oladapo (2010), “Spirituality and National Development in Nigeria; Critical Points of Disjunction.” In Sulaiman M. Jamiu and Raphael A. Akanmidu (eds.), Book of Proceedings, First National Conference, Department of Religious Studies, Kwara State University, Molete, held from 18-22 October, 26-33.