From 2007 to 2012, he studied for a doctorate degree in Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquino-Angelicum in Rome.
[2][3] He was ordained a priest on 17 August 2002 and incardinated at the Diocese of Maiduguri, Borno State.
Bakeni served as parish priest of Saint Joseph Parish and was Director of the Catechetical Training Center in Kaya from 2002 to 2007 when he left for his doctorate studies in Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquino-Angelicum in Rome.
He served as Secretary and Procurator of the Diocese of Maiduguri, was a member of the College of Consultors and the diocesan President of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue.
He was Titular Bishop of Leptimino until his episcopal ordination on 7 July 2022 by Antonio Gudo Filipazz, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria.