Nigeria Mourns As Renowned Pastor Taiwo Odukoya Passes Away

The Nigerian Christian community is in mourning following the passing of Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, the Senior Pastor of the Fountain of Life Church. The church confirmed his demise through its official Facebook page, stating that Pastor Odukoya transitioned to greater glory on August 7, 2023, in the United States.

Born on June 15, 1956, in Kaduna, Pastor Odukoya was a revered figure in the religious community. He led the Fountain of Life Church in Ilupeju, Lagos, which boasts a membership of over 8,000 people. His educational journey began at Baptist Primary School, Kaduna, and continued at St. Paul’s College, Zaria. He later pursued higher education at the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1981.

Before dedicating his life to ministry, Pastor Odukoya worked as a petroleum engineer at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). However, his calling to serve God led him to retire voluntarily in 1994. Alongside his late wife, Bimbo Odukoya, he co-founded the Fountain of Life Church in 1992. Tragically, Bimbo Odukoya lost her life in the 2005 Sosoliso plane crash.

In 2010, Pastor Odukoya remarried to Rosemary Simangele Zulu from South Africa. The union was blessed with two boys. Sadly, in November 2021, he lost his second wife to cancer.

Prominent figures, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have expressed their condolences. Sanwo-Olu described Pastor Odukoya’s passing as a significant loss to the Christian community, Lagos State, and Nigeria. He emphasized the late pastor’s impactful ministry that touched many lives both within and outside his congregation.

President Bola Tinubu also mourned the late pastor, highlighting his contributions to charitable endeavors, particularly in the education and health sectors. He sent his condolences to the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and associates of the late pastor.

The news of Pastor Odukoya’s passing has sent shockwaves across the nation, with many reflecting on his teachings, outreach, and the indelible mark he left on the Christian community. As tributes continue to pour in, the legacy of Pastor Taiwo Odukoya as a spiritual leader, teacher, and servant of God remains etched in the hearts of many.