Nigerian Leaders Toast Pastor Tunde Bakare at 70 with Grand Birthday and Autobiography Launch

Nigeria’s Power Players Gather in Lagos to Celebrate Pastor Tunde Bakare’s Milestone Birthday

Tunde Bakare isn’t your typical church leader. He stands at the crossroads of religion and public life, often speaking truth to power, poking holes in government rhetoric, and pushing for real political reforms. So it’s no surprise that, when the clock struck his 70th birthday, Lagos became the stage for a high-profile gathering—one that read like a checklist of Nigeria’s power brokers.

The City of Lagos is used to flashy events, but the atmosphere at the Citadel Global Community Church had an added buzz. Here gathered not just the congregation but a league of the country’s political and cultural titans. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos led a high-powered guest list. He was joined by Ogun State’s Dapo Abiodun and the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II—a rare mix of governors and royalty occupying the same pews. Former Kaduna leader Nasir El-Rufai, Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, and several ex-governors, including Olusegun Osoba, Kayode Fayemi, and Ibikunle Amosun, rounded out the parade. The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, also graced the occasion, tying Nigeria’s political elite to its deep-rooted traditions.

There was also a clear message from the seat of power in Abuja. President Bola Tinubu sent Secretary to the Government, Senator George Akume, to deliver an endorsement brimming with praise. Tinubu described Pastor Bakare as not only a voice of truth but also a symbol of hope—words loaded with the weight of recent years, as economic hardship and political uncertainty have stirred public frustration.

Bakare’s Autobiography Launch: More Than Just a Ceremony

News wasn’t just about cake and handshakes. The spotlight turned—as it so often does in Bakare’s world—to purpose. The event doubled as the launchpad for his much-anticipated autobiography, The Last, But Definitely Not the Least. The title says a lot about Bakare’s approach: unapologetically honest, self-aware, and deliberately impactful. This isn’t just a pastor’s life story. It weaves through his battles for fairness, his fight for transparency in politics, and his spiritual guidance during Nigeria’s toughest years.

Governor Sanwo-Olu didn’t hold back while describing Bakare’s contribution—calling his advocacy for social justice both relentless and necessary. Every speech given seemed to echo the same sentiment: here is a man unafraid to challenge the status quo, yet trusted by both pulpit and public office holders alike.

Those in attendance weren’t just there for the celebration. Many appeared genuinely moved by what Bakare represents in today’s Nigeria—a country looking for leaders with integrity and vision, not just political skill. For decades, Bakare has bridged the world of faith and governance, never afraid to criticize, but also quick to offer solutions. It’s the rare mix that has seen him remain influential across changing administrations and shifting alliances.

There’s more to Bakare than protest and pulpit. Over the years, he’s molded a reputation as a connector—someone both politicians and traditional rulers look to in times of uncertainty. Speeches at the event didn’t dodge current realities, with many acknowledging Nigeria’s ongoing economic and social struggles. Amidst this, Bakare has been able to unite voices for reform, appealing to both youth and elders, street-level activists and statehouse insiders.

The glamour in Lagos was unmistakable, but the conversations went deeper. Messages from the pulpit and podium alike spoke to a future built on transparency, fairness, and political courage—values Bakare says aren’t negotiable. For many watching, this moment wasn’t just a birthday party but a reminder of what’s possible, even when the odds seem stacked against progress.