THE Bishop of Ijebu South/West Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Reverend Babatunde  Ogunbanwo, has successfully defended his doctoral thesis at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

His successful defence was announced by the University Registrar’s Office in Pieter Marisburg, South Africa.

Son of the Ven. Joseph and Mrs. Beatrice Ogunbanwo, the Bishop will formally receive his Ph.D in Biblical Studies at the university’s convocation ceremonies scheduled to begin in PieterMarisburg on April 24, 2012.

Born in 1967, Babatunde began his primary education at Saint John’s School, Akinmorin, in Oyo town, but, as a priest’s son, he was always on the move and had to proceed with his parents to Ibokun, in Ilesa Division, two years later.
He later gained admission to Ibokun Grammar School from where he graduated in 1982.

In September of that year, he was admitted to the Divisional Teachers’ College, Ijebu-Jesa, in Osun State, for a two-year “pivotal teacher” certificate course, after which he was employed as a teacher at the Community Primary School, Erin-Oke, from 1983 to 1984.

In September 1984, he was admitted to the Oyo State College of Education, Ilesa, and graduated from there with the Nigerian Certificate of Education in agriculture and education in 1987.

After teaching for one year at Erinmo Grammar School, Erinmo, in Osun State, he proceeded, at the age of 21, to Immanuel College of Theology, Samonda, Ibadan, for a three-year course which earned him a diploma in theology and another diploma in religious studies in 1990.

He proceeded straightaway to the University of Ibadan for a degree programme in religious studies.

On graduation from Ibadan in 1993, he was ordained a deacon in June of that year, becoming a full priest in 1994. While serving as a priest, he enrolled for the master’s degree programme in Christian ethics at the University of Ibadan, receiving that degree in 1997.