Reverend Emmanuel Adelabi Kayode (1874-1932): A Pioneering Figure in the ACN

Reverend Emmanuel Adelabi Kayode (1874-1932): A Pioneering Figure in the Anglican Church of Nigeria

Reverend Emmanuel Adelabi Kayode was a trailblazing African Anglican cleric of Yoruba origin, born in 1874 in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He received his higher education at Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone, one of the earliest institutions of Western higher learning in West Africa. This esteemed educational background prepared him for a remarkable career in the Anglican Church, where he played a pivotal role in its growth and development in colonial Nigeria.

Rev. Kayode's achievements were not limited to his ecclesiastical pursuits. He was married to Sophia Kayode (née Cole), sister of the prominent clergyman Reverend M.S. Cole, solidifying his connection to a legacy of esteemed church leaders. Together, they had a son, Victor Adedapo Kayode, who would go on to become a notable public figure.

However, Rev. Kayode's impact extended far beyond his immediate family. He was the grandfather of Chief Remi Fani-Kayode, a distinguished Queen's Counsel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and the great-grandfather of Femi Fani-Kayode, a prominent Nigerian politician and lawyer. This multigenerational legacy is a testament to Rev. Kayode's enduring influence on Nigerian society.

Throughout his illustrious career, Rev. Kayode dedicated himself to the service of the Anglican Church, leaving an indelible mark on its history in Nigeria. His contributions to the church's growth and development continue to inspire and guide future generations of clergy and laity alike. Rev. Emmanuel Adelabi Kayode passed away in Lagos in 1932, but his remarkable life and legacy remain an enduring tribute to his pioneering spirit.

Source: Akin Ajose Adeogun / Nigerian Nostalgia Project (NNP)