By The Revd Uruakpa Onyemaechi Charles
CCN News Correspondent, Ibadan

IBADAN, September 29, 2026 | In a major step toward deepening ecumenical collaboration and institutional solidarity within the Nigerian body of Christ, the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), His Lordship, the Rt. Revd. Evans Onyemara, Ph.D., on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev. Dr. David Olusola Idowu, the Baptist National Headquarters in Ibadan., Oyo State.

The visit provided an opportunity for the two Christian leaders to strengthen fraternal relations and deepen engagement on matters of shared interest within Nigeria’s Christian and ecumenical community.

Rev. Dr. Idowu received the CCN Chief during the visit, which formed part of the Council’s continuingas part of the Council’s ongoing engagement with leaders of member churches and key stakeholders in engagement with leaders of member churches and key stakeholders within the Nigerian Christian community.

The meeting underscored the importance of sustained fellowship, dialogue and collaboration among Christian leaders in strengthening the witness of the Church and its contribution to Nigerian society.

Idowu’s New Leadership at the Nigerian Baptist Convention

Rev. Dr. David Olusola Idowu is the eighth indigenous President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

He officially assumed office in August 2026 and was formally inducted and commissioned during his induction service on Friday, September 18, 2026.

His emergence marks a new chapter in the leadership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention and places him at the centre of the Convention’s continuing ministry, mission and engagement with the wider Christian community.

Against this backdrop, the courtesy visit by the CCN General Secretary offered an opportunity for Christian leadership engagement with the newly inducted NBC President and further strengthened the bonds of fellowship between the two institutions.

Strengthening Christian Unity

The engagement reflects the continuing commitment of the Christian Council of Nigeria to maintaining meaningful relationships with its member churches and Christian institutions across the country.

For the CCN, ecumenical relationships remain important to promoting Christian unity, dialogue, peace, social justice, human dignity and national development.

Such engagements also provide opportunities for Christian leaders to share perspectives, encourage one another and explore areas of collaboration in response to issues confronting the Church and wider Nigerian society.

The visit to the Nigerian Baptist Convention President in Ibadan therefore forms part of the broader ecumenical responsibility of the CCN Secretariat to foster fellowship and strengthen relationships among Nigeria’s Christian leadership.

As the Church continues to respond to the changing realities of Nigerian society, sustained unity and constructive engagement among Christian denominations remain important elements of a credible and effective Christian witness.

The CCN is expected to continue its engagements with member churches and Christian stakeholders as part of its mandate to promote Christian unity and contribute to the transformation of Nigerian society.

Photo Credit: Very Revd. Kolade Fadahunsi, Director, ICS Ibadan

CCN: Serving the Church. Strengthening Christian Unity. Building the Nation.