Principal Officers

Dr. Samson Audu Iliya was born in Marmara, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Called into ministry in 2010, he pursued theological training at Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna, and earned a Bachelor of Theology degree in 2014, a Master of Theology in Systematic Theology and Philosophy in 2017, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Systematic Theology and Philosophy from The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso in 2022. He was privileged to learn from the stream of knowledge of esteemed theologians, including Prof. John Enyinnaya, Prof. Moses Audi, Prof. Reuben Ishaya Chuga, Prof. Emiola Nihinlola, Prof. Tersur Aben, Dr. Joe Onuche, and Dr. Philip Akinbobola, during his theological studies. He was ordained into full Gospel Ministry in 2017.

Dr. Iliya has served at Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna since July 2014, rising from Graduate Assistant to Lecturer I in September 2022. He currently serves in the Department of Theology, Faculty of Theological Studies, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Systematic Theology, African Christian Theology, Christian Apologetics, Contemporary Theology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology, and Research Methods. An active scholar, Dr. Iliya has over 30 publications, including the book God's Providence and Politics: A Call for Christian Political Participation in Nigeria (2022), chapters in edited books, and articles in local and international journals. He serves as Editor of BTSK ISIGHT, the Faculty Journal of Baptist Theological Seminary, Kaduna.

In addition to teaching, Dr. Iliya has held administrative roles at the Seminary, including Chaplain, Director of Students' Affairs, and currently serves as Deputy President Academics. In ministry, he has served as Associate Pastor and Pastor of Merritt Baptist Church Kawo, and Interim Pastor of First Baptist Church, Mando, Kaduna. At the denominational level, he is currently Mission Director of Kaduna Baptist Conference. Dr. Iliya is a member of the African Homiletics Society (AHS), African Society of Evangelical Theology (ASET), African Baptist Theological Education Network (ABTEN), and the Institute of Family and Societal Development. He is married to Mrs. Janet Iliya, and they are blessed with godly children.