John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan served as the first archbishop of the Latin Church archdiocese of Abuja from 1994 until 2019, following his earlier career as a teacher and seminary administrator in Nigeria. He was created a cardinal in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI and participated in the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis.
Early Life and Education
Born in Kabba on 29 January 1944 to Bartholomew and Joann Onaiyekan, he attended St. Mary's Catholic School before moving to Mount St. Michael's Secondary School in Aliade. His religious studies continued at the Ss. Peter & Paul Major Seminary in Ibadan. Following a scholarship offered by Ahmadu Bello, he completed his studies in Rome in 1969. He was ordained as a priest on 3 August 1969 by Bishop Auguste Delisle. He later earned a Licentiate of Sacred Scripture in 1973 and a doctorate in 1976 from the Pontifical Biblical Institute.
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In 1982, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Ilorin and titular bishop of Thunusuda, receiving his consecration from Pope John Paul II in 1983. He became the bishop of Ilorin in 1984. By 1990, he transitioned to the role of coadjutor bishop of Abuja. When the diocese was elevated to an archdiocese in 1994, he became its first archbishop. Beyond his local leadership, he served on the International Theological Commission and the International Catholic/Methodist Dialogue Commission.
Political and Public Engagement
He held the presidency of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria starting in 2000 and led the Christian Association of Nigeria after a 2007 election victory. During the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo, he publicly challenged the administration regarding corruption and the adherence to democratic principles. In 2005, he urged the president to respect constitutional term limits. His public work extended to international platforms, including a 2009 televised debate regarding his faith alongside Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry.
Service as Cardinal
Elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2012, he was assigned to the titular church of San Saturnino. Following this, he served as a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Pontifical Council for the Family. Pope Francis also appointed him as the apostolic administrator of the diocese of Ahiara in 2013. He concluded his tenure as Archbishop of Abuja upon the acceptance of his resignation by the Pope in November 2019.
Fast facts
- Born: 29 January 1944, Kabba
- Ordination: 3 August 1969
- Appointed Cardinal: 24 November 2012
- Archbishop of Abuja: 1994–2019
- Education: Pontifical Biblical Institute
- Peace Award: Pax Christi International, 2012
Questions readers ask
What significant political stance did John Onaiyekan take in 2005?
He publicly called on President Olusegun Obasanjo to resist seeking an unconstitutional third term in office.
Which major international organization awarded him a peace prize?
He was named the 2012 Peace Laureate by Pax Christi International.
