Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya (DKO)
Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya (DKO)
Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya (DKO) was born in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, to Mr. Olukoya, a police officer, and Mrs. Olukoya, a trader. He began his education at St. John’s CAC Primary School, Akure, where he quickly distinguished himself as an exceptionally gifted student, consistently ranking at the top of his class. Following a family relocation to Lagos, he continued his education at St. Jude’s Primary School, Ebute Metta, graduating with outstanding results.
He then proceeded to Methodist Boys’ High School (MBHS), Broad Street, Lagos—one of Nigeria’s oldest secondary schools, established in 1878. It was during his time at MBHS that he gave his life to Christ. A pivotal moment in his academic journey occurred when an Indian teacher in class declared, “Boys, if you want to escape poverty, read your books!” Dr. Olukoya took this advice to heart, adopting a rigorous study routine that saw him reading daily from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. His dedication paid off—he graduated as the best student in his class.
In 1976, DKO gained admission to the University of Lagos (Unilag) to study Microbiology. He graduated in 1980 with a first-class honours degree—the first to achieve this in the department’s history. His academic record remained unmatched as of February 2010, with the highest GPA ever recorded in the program.
After his undergraduate success, DKO was awarded a scholarship to pursue a PhD in Molecular Genetics at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. Despite the program’s rigorous demands, he completed his doctorate in just three years and returned to Nigeria.
Back home, Dr. Olukoya joined the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, where he quickly earned recognition as a leading geneticist of African origin. Over a remarkably short period, he published more than 70 scientific papers—an outstanding achievement by any academic standard. He also taught Genetics at various universities and served as an external examiner. His expertise has taken him to scientific conferences across nearly every continent. Through the Daniel & Fola Biotechnology Foundation, a registered NGO, he continues to contribute to genetics and biotechnology by equipping Nigerians with cutting-edge laboratory skills in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
Raised in a Christian home—his father being not only a police officer but also a pastor in the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC)—DKO maintained a deep and consistent commitment to his Christian faith throughout his academic and professional life. His spiritual fervour intensified during his PhD studies in the UK. His ministry draws strong inspiration from the legacy of Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola, founder of the CAC and a pioneer of the Christian revival in Nigeria during the 1930s.
In the dedication pages of Prayer Rain and Prayer Passport, DKO honours Apostle Babalola with the following words:
“Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola was a minister of God who understood the power of prayer. He was a man mightily used by God to ignite the fire of the first Christian revival in Nigeria in the 1930s. Brother J.A. and his team of aggressive prayer warriors entered forbidden forests, silenced demons that demanded worship, and paralysed deeply rooted, anti-gospel activities. Sometimes, beginning from the highest places, they openly disgraced satanic agents, emptied hospitals by the healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ, rendered witchdoctors jobless, and started the first indigenous Holy Ghost-filled church in Nigeria. So far—and we stand to be corrected—none has equalled, let alone surpassed this humble brother in the field of aggressive evangelism in this country.”
Dr. Daniel Olukoya’s teachings and Christian literature are published under the Battle Cry Christian Ministries imprint. As of July 2015, he has authored over 250 impactful Christian books, along with numerous audio messages, CDs, DVDs, and other ministry materials that continue to bless lives around the world.