Pioneer Catholic Bishop of Nigeria’s Ekiti Diocese Dies at 90, Eulogized as “great man who had a date with history”

Ekiti, 14 October, 2025 / 8:46 PM

Bishop Michael Patrick Olatunji Fagun, the pioneer Local Ordinary of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, has passed on at the age of 90.

In a statement issued Tuesday, October 14, the Chancellor of the Nigerian Episcopal See says Bishop Fagun “was called to Eternal Home in the late hours on Monday, 13 October, 2025.”

“To God be all the glory for all his services in the Catholic Church and humanity. May God grant him eternal life,” Fr. Kehinde Temitope Ajayi says in the statement.

He implores, “May God continue to bless, sustain, strengthen, protect, and guide the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Bishop Fagun's nuclear and extended families, friends, and well-wishers. Amen.”

“May our Blessed Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of our Saviour and Redeemer, always intercede for us all. Amen,” Fr. Ajayi further implores.

The Nigerian Catholic Priest says funeral arrangements for the late Catholic Bishop is to be communicated later.

“Kindly pray for the happy repose of his soul,” Fr. Ajayi says.

Born in April 1935, the late Bishop Fagun was ordained a Priest in July 1965. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Ondo Diocese in June 1971 and was ordained a Bishop in October that same year.

In July 1972, he was appointed Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, where he served until his retirement in April 2010.

Following the news of Bishop Fagun’s demise, Nigerians have taken to social media to mourn him and condole with the people of God in Ekiti Diocese.

“Late Bishop Fagun was indeed a great man who had a date with history. He became Bishop at a time when the European missionaries were into complete indigenization of the Nigerian Church leadership immediately after the Nigerian civil war,” Anthony Eluno says in a Facebook post.

He adds, “At only 36 years of age, and after just 6 years in the Priesthood, late Bishop Fagun was one of 7 young indigenous Priests elevated to the Episcopate in 1971.”

“Bishop Fagun was indeed a trailblazer whose legacy can never be erased, particularly in the area of indigenous liturgical songs in his native Yoruba language,” Eluno further says.

He notes that the late Catholic Bishop brought the Catholic faith “closer to his people through the following publications, among so many others: the translation of the psalms into Yoruba (1964); the translation of the Sunday Missal into Yoruba (1972); the translation of the Legion of Mary handbook into Yoruba (1975); the translation of the Daily Missal into Yoruba (1976), and the translation of the Jerusalem Bible into Yoruba (1992).”

“We commiserate with the Bishop, Priests, and good people of Ekiti Diocese on this irreparable loss of a good Bishop. At the same time, we thank God for a most productive life in the Lord's vineyard granted to him. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” Eluno implores.

In a statement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his condolences to the Catholic Church and the Body of Christ following the passing of Bishop Fagun.

“Most Reverend Fagun lived for the expansion of the gospel in Nigeria and other parts of the world, taking his evangelism to the grassroots and ensuring that the teaching of God’s word was backed with charity,” President Tinubu says in his October 14 statement.

He adds, “Most commendable were the efforts of the priest and polyglot in reflecting the sacrifices, simplicity, and humility of Christ, since he was ordained in July 1965 and consecrated a bishop in October 1971.”

“I believe the good works and legacy of Most Reverend Fagun will always be remembered,” the President says.

On his part, Yava Ukut says late Bishop Fagun “lived a life poured out in love, service, and deep faith. He touched countless lives with his humility, wisdom, and fatherly heart.”

“Thank you, Lord, for the gift of his life and ministry. May his gentle soul find eternal rest in your loving embrace. Amen,” Ukut says in a Facebook post.