The Provost,West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS), Ipaja, Lagos, Pastor Olufemi Emmanuel has tasked churches and Christian leaders to support the seminary, as it graduates 61students at its 36th convocation ceremony scheduled to hold between November 27 and 28, 2026, at the Seminary Campus in Ipaja.

He described WATSas a non-denominational institution that had trained thousands of ministers from over 100 denominations in Nigeria and other countries.

The Provost disclosed this during a press conference held at the Seminary Discipleship Conference in Ipaja, where he reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to quality theological education and ministerial training across West Africa and beyond.

He said the two-day ceremony would feature a convocation lecture, dedication of completed facilities, and the formal award of degrees and prizes to the graduands.

The graduands, according to him, include 20 undergraduates, 38 Master’s degrees and three Doctor of Ministry.

Emmanuel said that Dr. John Oswalt of Asbury Theological Seminary, United States, would deliver the convocation lecture, titled, “Holiness: What Is It, and Why Does It Matter?” on November 27. He added that the guest lecturer would also speak on “Holiness and the Christian Ministry” the following day.

The Provostsaid the institution’s curriculum had accommodated different Christian traditions, including denominational liturgies and had ensured that graduates serve effectively within their respective churches.

While highlighting recent spiritual programmes and physical developments on campus, Emmanuel explained that WATS is currently transforming its faculty building into a multi-storey administrative complex.

The project, according to him, was prompted by government’s directives that institutions housing about 150 people within the same compound must meet specific infrastructural standards.

“We realised that our institutional layout is not aligning with what is expected of us by the government. Initially, we just wanted to do a renovation, but we realised that something is beyond renovation. That place is going to accommodate a lot of offices,” he said.