The beginning of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso, Nigeria, can be traced back to the closing years of the nineteenth century.
Recognizing the need for education and leadership training among converts, Rev. Charles Edwin Smith, a missionary of United States of America, started a “Preachers’ Training Class” in Ogbomoso, Nigeria for Baptist Mission Station workers on May 3, 1898. A two-storey building was completed for the “Baptist Training Institute” in 1902 and within two years, about thirty students were trained by Rev. C. E. Smith, J. S. Compare, and N.D. Oyerinde. From its beginning until 1920, the institution had a peripatetic existence, being located in Ogbomoso until 1904, then in Abeokuta (1904-1905), again in Ogbomoso (1906-1914) and later in Saki (1914-1919). During these years, the leadership of the school changed thirteen times. From 1920 until 1936, theological training was administered as part of the Baptist College and Seminary in Ogbomoso. Dr. J. C. Pool joined the staff of this institution in 1934, with special responsibilities for theological training.
From 1936-1938, the Seminary section of the Baptist College and Seminary was located in Abeokuta. Since 1939, the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary has permanently been located in Ogbomoso while the Baptist College moved to Iwo. Dr. J. C. Pool served as Principal from 1934 until his retirement in 1970. Six basic courses were developed during his principalship: degree (B.Th.); advanced certificate in theology (discontinued in 1972); certificate in theology; certificate in religious education (begun in August, 1962); curriculum in theology for Yoruba speaking students (discontinued in May, 1967); and a curriculum for students’ wives.
In 1948, the Seminary was officially affiliated to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville, United States of America. By this arrangement, qualified students trained in Ogbomoso Seminary who have been granted degrees were awarded in 1950, the graduands having satisfied the requirements for graduation in 1948, thus making the NBTS, Ogbomoso to become the first tertiary institution to award degrees in Nigeria. The Seminary (NBTS began its Bachelor of Religious Education Programme in 1970, conferring the first degree in it in 1973. Presently, the Seminary awards diploma (phased out in June, 2003, except in Church Music), graduate and postgraduate degrees in theology, religious education, church music and missiology.
The Seminary became a postgraduate school with effect from August, 2002. With this new status, the Seminary now concentrates on post-baccalaureate and postgraduate programmes.
Administration, chapel-library, and classroom buildings, presently used by the Seminary, were first occupied in 1955. A new administration building was completed in 1972 and an annex to the library was occupied in August, 1973. A new Pre-School Religious Education Centre building was occupied in July, 1975. The Music and Communications Building opened in 1979 and the Mass Media building was completed in 1981.
In the decade of the seventies, two significant events occurred in the life of the Seminary. During the inauguration service of Dr. C. F. Whirley, who served as Principal from 1970 to 1979, the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) was formally recognized as proprietor of the Seminary. Then, in 1979, Dr. (Now Professor) Osadolor Imasogie became the first Nigerian to head the institution. His inauguration as Principal (which later became President) on August 18, 1979 received international attention among Baptists.
The following ancillary education programmes have also been put in place:
1. Staff Primary School
2. Smith International Baptist Academy (SIBAO)
3. French Language Resource Centre
4. Computer Training Centre
Facilities (structures) put in place include a multi-storey single men dormitory, Health Clinic, Business Centre, Petrol Station, an eight-classroom block (for the Staff Primary School) and a secondary school classroom building complex for Smith International Baptist Academy (SIBAO).
It is pertinent to add that the end of the decade of the nineties marked the end of the Southern Baptist Convention’s (USA) century-long financial and personnel assistance to the Seminary. The decade also witnessed the almost 100 percent Nigerianization of the teaching and administrative staff of the school.
The beginning of the second century of the existence of the Seminary witnessed the addition of the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.). A Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) was proposed and approved, thus making the Seminary to be in a position to offer all postgraduate degree programmes in theology, religious education, and church music. The appointment of a third indigenous President with effect form July 1, 2003 was approved by the Nigerian Baptist Convention, the proprietor of the Seminary. He is Reverend Professor Joseph Abiodun Ilori. He succeeded the former President, Reverend Professor Y. A. Obaje, who completed his tenure of service on June 30, 2003. The appointment of the fourth indigenous President of the Seminary was approved by the Nigerian Baptist Convention, the proprietor of the Seminary. He is Rev. Prof. Deji Isaac Ayegboyin with effect from July 1, 2008. Prof. Ayegboyin was succeeded by Rev Prof. Emiola Nihinlola.
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