Rev. Fr. Andrew Abiodun Toye is the first substantive Chaplain of the Chapel of Mary Mother of the Church at Augustine University. This milestone follows the announcement made by the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, during the dedication of the Chapel on Monday, 16th December 2024. Fr. Toye took over from Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Ogundele, who had served as acting chaplain since the university’s inception.
A native of Oro, Kwara State, Fr. Toye was born and raised in Babaoloosha, Mushin, Lagos State. He received his early education at New Mainland Children’s School, Olateju, Mushin, and later attended Ilupeju Senior Secondary School, Ilupeju, Lagos, for his secondary education. While discerning his vocation, he was admitted to St. John of the Cross Spiritual Year Seminary, Ekpoma, Edo State in October, 2009. In October, 2010, he proceeded to the prestigious Catholic Major Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State from where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan in 2014 and a Bachelor of Theology (B.Th) from the Urbanania University, Rome, in 2018.
He was raised to the Order of Diaconate on the 7th of January, 2018 by His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Metropolitan of Lagos Archdiocese at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Gbaja. He was posted to St. Patrick Catholic Church, Alaba where he served till his Priestly Ordination.
He was raised to the order of Priesthood on the 8th of November, 2018 by His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Airport Road, Ikeja Lagos. Shortly after his ordination, he was posted as Associate Priest of St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikoga-Zebbe, Badagry (November 30th 2018 – January 22nd 2021). He also served as the Assistant Highboxboxbox of St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka-Yaba (January, 22nd 2021 – January 6th, 2025). During this period, he acquired a Post Graduate Diploma in Education and a Diploma in Special Needs Education both from the University of Lagos, Lagos.
The University community has warmly welcomed Fr. Toye, expressing optimism about his leadership and its impact on the Chapel's activities and the university’s broader faith community.
