Tributes have continued to pour in from family members, clergy, and admirers worldwide following the passing of revered matriarch, Reverend Mother Superior Olive Sulola Adejobi, who died on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at the age of 98.
Widely described as a woman of deep prayer and unshakeable faith, the late Adejobi was celebrated for her lifelong dedication to God and humanity. Those who encountered her during her lifetime also remember her as an astute administrator, a disciplinarian with compassion, and a spiritual mother whose counsel shaped countless lives.
Clerics and associates noted that she stood out as a bridge-builder who united people across cultures, generations, and Christian denominations, leaving behind a legacy rooted in steadfast faith, sacrificial service, and moral clarity.
Her decades-long impact in missionary work, pastoral leadership, and theological education earned her recognition as one of the most influential female figures in African Christianity and women’s ministry. Many described her life as a testament to humility and devotion, emphasizing that her greatness was reflected not in prominence, but in consistent acts of love and service.
Reverend Mother Superior Adejobi retired from full-time ministry on December 31, 2001, after 44 years of service, attaining the distinction of the most senior-ranking female minister in the church at the time. Despite her retirement at age 74, she remained actively involved in spiritual leadership, particularly within the Church of Antioch, under the Church of the Lord organization.
Until her passing, she served as a respected member of the church’s Board of Trustees and continued to guide a spiritual matriarch. Her passion for teaching and scholarship also found expression in her writings, including her in-depth publication, Genesis: In the Beginning, and her autobiography, Olive Sulola Adejobi: A Life in His Service (2007).
Speaking at the funeral service held at the Oasis Event Centre, Osogbo, Olubi Adejobi expressed profound gratitude for the outpouring of support received by the family.
Olubi Adejobi, a Special Adviser on Intergovernmental Affairs to Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, noted that the widespread show of love reflected the impact his late mother had on countless lives.
“We have been really overwhelmed with the love and affection we received from different quarters—Osun, Abeokuta, Lagos, and all over the world. It is a testament to her character; she served not only God but also humanity in both the littlest and grandest ways,” he said.
Also, Adedoja Ojelabi painted a vivid picture of the deceased as a quiet yet powerful force whose strength was rooted in faith and humility.
“She was neither loud in her greatness nor hurried in her ways. Her strength was built in quiet rooms, her faith in faithful days. She walked with God, not for display, but step by humble step,” Ojelabi said.
She described the late cleric as a beacon of hope and guidance, a woman who carried the burdens of others and lived a life defined by integrity, compassion, and unwavering devotion to God.
“To the world, she was a minister, a leader, and a preacher of the Word—a woman of influence and humility. But to me, she was my mother, my first teacher, my greatest supporter, and my safest place,” the tribute read.
In his tribute, Adebo Adejobi, said, “I came back to Nigeria three years ago. I got overwhelmed seeing the pictures of Mummy looking so fragile, in the hospital. This is it, I thought. That was three years ago. We’ve had a couple of other moments, but she always pulled through. When Mom passed away the first thing I noticed about the house was that the beauty she brought into this world was missing. The love she exuded was gone. Her spirit that brought others so much happiness was no longer there.”
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