ofUNN Institutes Ajayi Crowther Annual Lecture, Honours Africa’s Trailblazing Bishop
By Chijioke Attah
The Department of Religion and Cultural Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has instituted an annual lecture series in honour of the late Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther to deepen scholarship, promote academic excellence and celebrate the enduring legacy of one of Africa’s foremost Christian pioneers.
The maiden edition of the lecture, held at the university, recognised Bishop Crowther’s immense contributions to education, ecumenism and the socio-cultural advancement of Africans liberated from slavery in the 19th century.
Delivering the inaugural lecture, the Bishop on the Niger and an alumnus of the department, Rt. Rev. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo, described Ajayi Crowther’s life as “a compelling testimony to the capacity of Christian faith, education and determined leadership to transform not only individuals but entire societies.”
He said the renowned cleric’s remarkable journey from slavery to becoming the first African Anglican bishop remains one of the most extraordinary stories in African history.
According to Nwokolo, Crowther distinguished himself as a pioneering missionary, educator, linguist, Bible translator and church leader whose influence extended far beyond the pulpit.
The guest lecturer examined Crowther’s enduring legacy, tracing his transition from enslavement to episcopacy, his pioneering role in Christian missionary work, education and African linguistics, as well as his lasting contributions to nation-building and the religious, intellectual and cultural development of Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region.
He noted that Crowther’s decision to engage predominantly African missionary personnel after establishing the Niger Mission marked one of the earliest deliberate efforts to entrust missionary leadership to indigenous Africans, thereby challenging prevailing racial prejudices about African intellectual and administrative capacity.
Nwokolo further observed that Crowther’s missionary enterprise was inseparable from the promotion of education, stressing that the schools established under the Church Missionary Society laid the foundation for producing many nationalist leaders who later championed the struggle for Africa’s liberation and independence.
He also highlighted Crowther’s groundbreaking contributions to African languages, recalling that at a time many European scholars dismissed indigenous languages as inadequate for intellectual discourse, Crowther proved otherwise through his extensive linguistic works.
According to him, Crowther demonstrated that African languages possessed the grammatical sophistication, literary richness and conceptual depth required for theology, education, administration and scholarly engagement.
He added that the bishop’s linguistic achievements became a critical foundation for cultural renaissance, ethnic consciousness and Nigeria’s nationalist movement during the colonial era.
Concluding his lecture, Nwokolo said Ajayi Crowther’s life underscored the transformative power of education in driving personal growth and societal development.
He maintained that sustainable national development must be anchored on indigenous knowledge systems rather than the wholesale imitation of foreign models.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of the Department of Religion and Cultural Studies, Ven. Dr. Collins Ugwu, expressed appreciation to the guest lecturer for accepting the department’s invitation to deliver the maiden lecture.
Ugwu said the annual lecture series formed part of initiatives aimed at increasing the department’s academic visibility and expanding its impact beyond the university community.
He commended Bishop Nwokolo for his visionary leadership, particularly in the establishment of the University on the Niger and several other projects that have positively impacted society.
The department’s head, however, lamented the shortage of critical facilities needed to strengthen teaching, learning and research, calling for greater support to enhance academic activities.
Among dignitaries at the event were the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya; the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. T. C. Nzeadibe; and the Provost of the School of Postgraduate Studies as well as Chairman of the Organising Committee, Prof. Malachy Okweze.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
