West Africa Theological Seminary

What West Africa Theological Seminary does

West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS) is a non-denominational theological seminary founded in 1989 by Rev. Prof. Gary S. Maxey in Lagos, Nigeria, operating on a Wesleyan-Arminian holiness foundation. It delivers a vertically integrated program portfolio spanning undergraduate (BA in Theology, BA in Religion), graduate (Master of Divinity, MA in Biblical Studies, MA in Intercultural Studies, MA in Christian Education, MA in Christian Leadership), and doctoral (Doctor of Ministry) levels, with degrees jointly awarded through a 1992 affiliation with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and full accreditation from the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA).

Its core infrastructure is centered on a 60,000-volume theological library — the single largest collection in West Africa, housing rare editions including the Tyndale Bible (1537), Geneva Pulpit Bible (1562), and First Edition of the King James Pulpit Bible (1611), alongside hi-tech classrooms with smart boards, short-throw projectors, audio systems, and a dedicated Global Missions Research Center. International academic partnerships with Wesley Biblical Seminary (Mississippi) and Asbury Theological Seminary (Kentucky) provide faculty exchange and postgraduate pathways.

WATS generates revenue through tuition (approximately $1,200 per student per academic session), donations from a Global Partners program (accepted in Naira, GBP, and USD via Zenith Bank and United Bank for Africa accounts), and partner church contributions. It recruits students through direct admissions (entrance exams, interviews, spiritual formation assessments via the Registrar's office) and denominational referral networks spanning 80+ church groups across Nigeria's 30+ states and 10+ African countries. The institution is governed by a Board of Trustees, Governing Council, and Executive Board; it is currently transitioning toward integration with Providence International University (PIU) as an autonomous faculty of theology.

Name

West Africa Theological Seminary

Legal name

West Africa Theological Seminary

Website

https://wats.edu.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS) is a non-denominational theological seminary in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 1989, delivering undergraduate through doctoral theological education affiliated with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and accredited by ACTEA, serving pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers across West Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB), Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG), Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM), Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Seminary degree programs
• Pastoral ministry training
• Graduate theological degrees
• Christian leadership education

Headquarters

HQ city

Ipaja

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Students pay tuition for degree programs including undergraduate BA, graduate MA/MDiv, and doctoral DMin programs. The cost of training a student per session is approximately $1,200.
2. Donations and Scholarship Funding: Global Partners program accepts donations to support scholarships and seminary operations. Donors can contribute to general funds or specific scholarship endowments like the Provost Oluwafemi O. Martins Scholarship Endowment Fund.
3. Partnership Contributions: Contributions from partner churches and organizations including New Beginnings International Church (NBIC) for COVID-19 response and other initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

WATS delivers accredited theological education at the bachelor's (BA), master's (MA), Master of Divinity (MDiv), and Doctor of Ministry (DMin) levels, equipping Christian students for pastoral ministry, missions, and theological scholarship. Programs are offered on a non-denominational basis, affiliated with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and accredited by the Africa Theological Accrediting Commission (ACTEA). Revenue is generated primarily through per-session tuition (~$1,200 per student per session), supplemented by donations and ministry partnerships.

Product overview

West Africa Theological Seminary offers a comprehensive theological education portfolio spanning undergraduate (Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Bachelor of Arts in Religion), graduate (Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, Intercultural Studies, Christian Education, Christian Leadership), and doctoral levels (Doctor of Ministry). The programs are affiliated with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and accredited by ACTEA. Programs emphasize Wesleyan-Arminian holiness theology, missions, and spiritual formation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Arts in Theology (BA) Undergraduate theological degree providing biblical, theological, and ministry foundations for Christian students preparing for further graduate study or lay ministry.
• Master of Arts (MA) Graduate-level theological degree for students seeking advanced biblical, theological, or ministerial study beyond the bachelor's level.
• Master of Divinity (MDiv) Professional graduate degree preparing students for vocational pastoral ministry, church leadership, and missionary service; the standard credential for ordination in many Protestant traditions.
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Terminal professional doctorate for experienced ministers seeking advanced formation in pastoral leadership, preaching, missions, or ministry practice.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,000 pastors, evangelists, missionaries, church leaders, and teachers trained since establishment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• New Beginnings International Church (NBIC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partner church led by Dr Gary Maxey (WATS Founder) that collaborated with WATS during COVID-19 response, providing support for food palliatives to 1,000+ families.
• University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1992Since 1992, WATS diploma and degree programs have been affiliated with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Degrees are jointly awarded with UNN.
• Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWATS has a long-standing relationship with ACTEA leading to full accreditation with them.
• Wesley Biblical Seminary (Jackson, Mississippi, USA)majorTechnology or IntegrationClose working relationship for postgraduate studies including exchange of teaching faculty and academic consultancy.
• Asbury Theological Seminary (Wilmore, Kentucky, USA)majorTechnology or IntegrationClose working relationship for postgraduate studies. Former Provost Oluwafemi Martins was completing his Doctor of Ministry at Asbury.
• Providence International University (PIU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWATS is set to join PIU as its autonomous faculty of theology, expanding its reach to provide spiritual formation training across all PIU faculties.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Direct peers

• Nairobi Evangelical School of Theology (NEST): Kenya-based evangelical seminary offering diploma through master's programs with ACTEA accreditation. Comparable in mission, program structure (BTh, MDiv, MA) and target audience (African pastors and Christian workers), serving as WATS's East African counterpart in the pan-African evangelical seminary ecosystem.
• West Africa Advanced School of Theology (WAAST): Multi-campus theological network (Nigeria, Togo, Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra Leone) training church leaders across West Africa. Directly comparable as a non-denominational Pan-West African seminary network with similar Wesleyan/evangelical orientation and ACTEA accreditation, offering overlapping recruitment geography.
• ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos: ECWA's flagship theological seminary in Jos, Nigeria offering BD, MDiv and master's programs with ACTEA accreditation. Directly comparable as a Nigerian residential seminary training pastors and Christian workers, though denominationally affiliated (ECWA/Reformed) versus WATS's nondenominational Wesleyan posture.
• Africa Nazarene University: Faith-based university in Kenya offering theology programs among broader academic offerings. Comparable as a Wesleyan-holiness-aligned African theological higher education institution serving church leaders, though broader in scope than WATS's seminary focus.
• Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon: Major ecumenical theological seminary in Accra, Ghana awarding degrees through the University of Ghana. Comparable residential seminary with similar program depth (BD, MDiv, MA), ACTEA accreditation, and pan-West African student recruitment, including Nigerian students.

Broad incumbents

• Wesley Biblical Seminary: Wesleyan-Holiness seminary in Jackson, Mississippi with strong online and extension programs. WATS partner for postgraduate studies and faculty exchange; directly comparable in Wesleyan theological foundation and ministry training orientation, but US-based and primarily online-extended delivery.
• Asbury Theological Seminary: Large, established Wesleyan-Holiness theological seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky with global programs. A direct partner of WATS for postgraduate studies and faculty exchange; comparable in Wesleyan theological orientation and degree offerings but significantly larger and US-based.
• University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Department of Religion & Cultural Studies: Major Nigerian federal university that has awarded WATS degrees since 1992 through affiliation. Comparable as a Nigerian higher education institution offering religious studies programs; broader academic portfolio but the credentialing backbone for WATS degrees.

Emerging players

• Haggai Institute: Singapore-based advanced leadership training program for Christian leaders globally, with a notable Nigerian/West African alumni presence. Comparable as a complementary executive Christian leadership training pathway; Dr. Tosin Awolalu (WATS Acting Provost) is a Haggai alumnus, indicating overlap in target audience.

Regional players

• Babcock University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary: Nigeria-based faith-run university offering accredited theology programs including MDiv. Comparable as a Nigerian residential theological training institution serving church workers and pastors, though denominationally specific (SDA) versus WATS's nondenominational approach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/westafricatheologicalseminary36
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/west-africa-theological-seminary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about West Africa Theological Seminary