Christian activities in Nigeria began in the first place around 1472 through the Portuguese Catholic traders around the Niger Delta area – Calabar, Bonny, and Warri kingdoms.

According to Fabunmi (1970),it wasn’t until 1843 about three hundred years after Christianity had become extinct in Ile- Ife that the faith resurfaced in Nigeria again.

Patrick’O Neil (1971), claimed that ‘In the year 1884 two priests of the Society of African Missions (SMA),Fathers Jean- Baptiste Chausse and Theodore Holley travelled from Oyo to Ibadan with a view to opening a mission in the town".In 1942 Rome instructed the white fathers to take over part of SMA territory in Lagos which was then the Oyo prefecture excluding Ibadan.

After five years of working hand in hand with SMA fathers, there was discussion between Bishop Durrieu–the superior of the white fathers,Fr Harrington,SMA General superior and Archbishop Matthew, the Apostolic Delegate to Nigeria then, Oyo prefecture was carved out and Fr.Owen McCoy was appointed Prefect Apostolic on 1 April 1949.

On 1 March 1963 the prefecture of Oyo was raised to a diocese with the apostolic prefect,Msgr Owen McCoy becoming the first bishop until his retirement in 1971.

McCoy ordained the first generation of priests in Oyo diocese namely: Bishop J.B. Adelakun, late Msgr Joseph Taiwo,Msgri John Adeniyi,Lawrence Adesina,Rev.Frs Thomas Ilesanmi and Anthony Olawumi etc.

Bishop Abegunrin holds Doctorate degree in Canon Law from Pontifical Urban University Rome, 1988.

Appointed by the Federal Government of Nigeria as Chairman of Peace and Reconciliation committee for Ife - Modakeke crises on 24 March 2000.

Some of his Writings: Parish Organisation in Conciliar Documents and in the Code of Canon Law With Special Reference to Oyo Diocese of Nigeria, 1988.