First Female Presbyter

Profile of The Very Rev. Dr. Nkechi Udunma Nwosu

Very Rev. Dr Nkechi Udunma Nwosu was born in Yaba Lagos, Lagos State on 18^th February, 1955 to the family of Mr. Golden and Mrs. Agnes Okoronkwo.

After her primary school education she attended Ovim Girls’ Secondary School, Ovim, Abia State, where she obtained West African School Certificate (WASC) in June, 1974.  While in the school, her leadership qualities were identified and she was consequently made the School’s Senior Prefect, which assignment she discharged creditably.

Thereafter, Very Rev. Dr. Nkechi U. Nwosu proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to read Microbiology and obtained B.Sc (Hons) in Microbiology in 1980.  She was enrolled in the National Youth Service Corp Scheme and served in Plateau State between 1980 and 1981.

Between 1981 and 1984 she worked with the Plateau State Ministry of Health where she was deployed to the State’s School of Nursing as a lecturer.

She attended the University of Jos from 1984 to 1985 for her Master’s degree programme and obtained M.Sc in Medical Enthomology and Parasitology.

To prepare herself for practice in Medical Laboratory diagnosis, she attended School of Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom and obtained Higher National Diploma (HND) in Medical Bacteriology and was subsequently admitted into the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology of Nigeria as an Associate Member (AIMLT).  With this preparation and qualification Very Rev. Dr. Nkechi U. Nwosu established a Medical Laboratory, Cedar Laboratories Limited in Jos, which was popular amongst the residents of Jos.  Through the grace of God it became a very thriving venture.

Very Rev. Dr. Nkechi Nwosu went back to the University of Jos for her Ph.D programme in Zoology (Parasitology) and in 1996 obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Zoology (Parasitology).

While Very Rev. Dr. Nkechi Nwosu was busy pursuing her career and acquiring academic qualifications, God was pulling her for a service in God’s Vineyard.

Between 1982 and 1986 she was the Secretary Women Fellowship, Methodist Church Nigeria, 9 Ibrahim Dasuki Street, Jos from 1987 to 1989 she was the Secretary, Women Fellowship Trinity Methodist Church Nigeria, Gada Biu, Jos.  she was President, Women Fellowship, Trinity Methodist Church Nigeria, Gada Biu, Jos from 1990 – 1993.  Between 1990 and 1994 she was the Local Church Steward, Trinity Methodist Church, Gada Biu, Jos; she was Assistant Secretary, Jos Circuit Quarterly Meeting; Member of Diocesan Synod 1990 – 1992 and member of Conference in 1991.

Very Rev. Dr. Nkechi Nwosu became an accredited Lay Preacher in 1990.

In 1994, she was admitted to Methodist Theological Institute (MTI) Sagamu to train as a Tent-Making Deaconess.  In 1996, she completed the prescribed course of study for the deaconess training with distinction, while the Tent Making ministerial training ended in 1997 with a Diploma in Theology.

After a successful two year’ probation, she was ordained a deaconess on 9^th August, 1998 at Okitipupa to join the Deaconess Order.

Not yet satisfied with her preparation for service in the Lord’s Vineyard, in 2000 she was admitted into Methodist Theological Institute (MTI), Umuahia to be trained as a Reverend Minister.  She passed out of MTI in 2002 and was commissioned as a Deacon.  She was ordained on 28^th August 2005 at Hoarse Memorial Methodist Church, Yaba – Lagos as the first female Reverend Minister in Methodist Church Nigeria. In August 2014, she was the first female to be preferred a Presbyter.

Very Rev. Dr. Nkechi Nwosu has either served or is serving in the Church as follows:

1.         Priest, Christ Methodist Cathedral, Jos:                           2002 – 2003

2.         Priest, Zion Methodist Church, Dutse Uku, Jos:             2003 – 2006

3.         Director of Evangelism for the Archdiocese of the North  2006 - 2009

4.         Priest, Methodist Church Nigeria, Kakuri Kaduna:                    Oct. – Nov. 2007

5.         Priest, Methodist Church Nigeria, Television, Kaduna: Dec. 2007 – 2009

6.         Priest-In-Charge, Bukuru Circuit, Diocese of Jos                       2009 –2014

7.         Presbyter, Gwarinpa Circuit, Abuja Diocese                         Oct. 2014-Oct. 2016

8.         Presbyter, Cathedral Circuit and Cathedral Administrator Diocese of Kubwa – October 2016 to October 2018.

9.         Presbyter, Nyanya Circuit and Cathedral Administrator Diocese of Nyanya October 2018 to Date

Other official appointments held since joining the ministry:

1.         Board member, Hassan Odukale Theological College Zonkwa; 1998 – Date

2.         Board member Conference Department of Evangelism; 2002 – 2006

3.         Member, Provisional Council, Wesley University, Ondo; 2003 – 2006

4.         Member Strategic Planning Team/Faith and Life 6mm 2004/2005

5.         Delegate to World Methodist Conference, South Korea; 2006

6.         Fraternal Delegate to Ghana Methodist Conference; 2006

7.         Delegate to World Methodist Evangelism Seminar, Atlanta, Georgia,

U.S.A. 2007.

8.         Member, CCN Standing Committee; 2011

9.         Member, Deacons Examination Board; 2011

10.       Committee Member, Evangelism Outreach & Spiritual Development

since 2006.

11.       MCN Daily Reflection Contributor; 2010, 2012.

12.       Member, 2006 Constitution Review Committee; 2014- 2021

13.       Member, World Methodist Council; 2017-2022

14.       Synod Secretary, Diocese of Nyanya 2019 to Date

By divine providence, Very Rev. Dr. Nkechi Nwosu has so many firsts recorded for her in the ordained Women Ministry of Methodist Church Nigeria. She is the first ordained female Priest, the first female Presbyter, the first female Cathedral Administrator and the first female Synod Secretary. She is happily married to Sir Barrister Obiy J. Nwosu KJW, the Lay President Emeritus, Diocese of Jos, and they are blessed with four children. Chijioke, Ijeoma, Kelechi and Onyinyechi, who are all doing very well to the glory of God Almighty.