Tokunboh Adeyemo (1944-2010)

Tokunboh Adeyemo was a Muslim who became a world Christian leader.

He was born on the 1st October 1944 into a royal Muslim family. He dreamt of being prime Minister of Nigeria by 1973.
As the first boy in his family he was set to become the chief in Nigeria’s Oyo Sate.

The 1966 coup in Nigera dramatically changed everything. He was put under house arrest. His dream was shattered. Initially he did part from his Muslim upbringing but his quest for for meaning and purpose became urgent.

He accepted an invite to a church meeting. Following the sermon he said the sinners prayer. The date was September 13th, 1966.

His family on hearing of his conversion disowned him. His mother and siblings, years later, eventually became Christians…

He said he never had what people term a ‘call’ but his desire started at his conversion. His ‘working ’ verse was * *Not my might nor by power but by the Spirit, says the Lord’ * * Zechariah 4 v6

Isaac Phiri in Ambassadors for Christ tells us what happened over the next 20 years. He goes to university in Nigeria. Moves to America with no money - he prays and receives money anonymously . In 1977 he awarded a doctorate in Theology. In Scotland in 1979 he is awarded a Ph.D. He marries Ireti and they have two sons.

In 1975 Bryan Kato, the secretary of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa and Madagascar (AEAM) dies suddenly in a swimming pool accident. Tokunboh in1977 elected to succeed him.

He led the AEAM for 25 years. For over 30 years he was a leader in the African Church
He wrote a number of books but he is probably best known as the author of Africa Bible Commentary.- which 70 African scholars contributed to.

• Adeyemo was an African Christian statesman of high repute.*
  Moses Owojaiye

Sources used Ambassadors for Christ Langham Foundation Hong Kong
Christianity Today wikipedia