History of the Institute
On October 26th, 1968, at Forestry road, Benin City, Nigeria, Dr. Benson Idahosa started what eventually became the “All Nations For Christ Bible Institute International”. In the beginning it was a two-week Bible School for his first converts. By 1971, it had grown to a three-month program with veteran missionary, Edgar Parkyns as Principal, and was called New Covenant Bible School.
In 1975, the nine-month school started with another English Principal, John Valentine, and was called Nigeria For Christ Bible Institute. The enrolment grew as the Church expanded dramatically with the outpouring of the Spirit in the Nigerian revival. With the opening of the Miracle Centre, the Institute had a campus, and the first dormitory started in 1976.
The year 1977 saw a miraculous Accra crusade that brought many Ghanaian students who wanted to know the secret of power with God and signs following. It also meant the name change to “All Nations For Christ Bible Institute”. Since then about 500 Ghanaians have been trained together with students from twenty-six other African nations. Several thousands of Nigerians, coming from many denominations and fellowships have graduated for the ministry. Students have come from India, Malaysia, Australia, U.S.A., Japan and Europe.
The years have brought many changes to A.N.F.C.B.I.I. From 1981 steps were taken to ensure that the academic credits of the Institute would be recognized abroad. A wider spectrum of subjects was introduced, by the then Principal, Rev. (Dr.) Ron Childs, including a degree program for those who qualify. The French-speaking department of the Institute was established, to train French-speaking Africans for the ministry. A Hausa-speaking department was established in 2000 to train Hausa speaking students for ministry in northern Nigeria and sub-Sahara Africa. Specialised majors were introduced for Theology, Music and Missions. Faculty members come from Nigeria, Ghana, Chad, U.S.A, U.K. and Australia.
Dr. Andrew Daniels, a Britain, has been a leading lecturer in ANFCBII almost since its beginning and Dr. Kent Hodge, an Australian has also lead the institute. Since Archbishop Idahosa went to be with the Lord in 1998, Archbishop Margaret Idahosa has been the President of ANFCBII, and her leadership has seen the restructuring of the institute to meeting with the current educational standard in the country. Presently, Rev. Dr. Usman I. Habib sits as the Provost of the institute, overseeing the day-to-day administration.
