The First African Church Mission (TFACM), one of Nigeria’s oldest indigenous churches, has been plunged into turmoil following financial and administrative allegations against its spiritual head, Primate Sunday Dare Matilukuro.
The crisis escalated after a strongly worded petition dated August 13, 2025, addressed to the General Secretary of the General Council, accused the Primate of committing “infractions bordering on potentially fraudulent activities” that have fueled friction between him and some members of the Executive Council. A day later, the Board of Trustees (BoT) convened an emergency meeting at the Church Secretariat in Lagos, where it reaffirmed its constitutional authority and expressed full confidence in the Lay President, Elder Engr. Shola Taylor.
Allegations Against the Primate
In the petition signed by the Publicity Secretary, Assistant Publicity Secretary, and Auditor, the complainants declared: “Our Constitution which was unanimously agreed provides for clergy leadership but with well-defined responsibilities for organs of the Mission and elected officers. It is also clear that our Constitution does not provide for a General Overseer who can do no wrong.”
The petition alleged that the Primate directed ministers to pay training and induction fees into his personal accounts, countered the Lay President’s instructions on financial matters, and unilaterally delayed salaries, including those of clergy in Ikwerre Diocese. “The Primate has been and continues to withdraw money from the Mission’s accounts (particularly the BJMTI account) without the approval and authorization of the Lay President,” the petitioners claimed, describing this as a direct breach of financial regulations.
They also accused him of obstructing internal auditors from investigating allegations of financial misconduct, blocking fundraising initiatives for clergy empowerment, and operating outside the Mission’s constitutional framework by sidelining the Lay President. According to the petition, “This means that the Primate is the one operating as a General Overseer.”
The petitioners concluded by requesting that “the Primate should be investigated, and the most senior Archbishop should act in his place pending the result of a full investigation.”
BoT’s Constitutional Intervention
In its August 14 notice, the Board of Trustees cited Articles 7 (5)(a) and 26 of the TFACM Constitution, stressing that allegations involving the Primate cannot be handled at a General Council meeting chaired by him. “The Primate cannot be a judge over his own matter,” the BoT stated.
The Board also nullified any attempt to suspend the Lay President without proper investigation, describing such action as “irrational, null and void and of no consequence.”
Reaffirming its stance, the BoT declared: “The Mission’s Constitution does not give room for any arbitrary action from any organ or person, and we shall ensure that the sanctity of the extant provisions of the Constitution is respected by all.”
It further confirmed its “full confidence in Elder Engr. Shola Taylor, as the Lay President of our Mission,” urging all units and organisations to extend full cooperation to him as before.
A Church at a Crossroads
With both the petition and the BoT’s intervention now in the open, the TFACM faces what analysts describe as one of the most severe leadership crises since its establishment in 1891. The allegations, if substantiated, could reshape the Church’s governance structure and test the strength of its nearly 135-year-old constitution.
