On the 30th of March, 1912, Timothy Gbadebo Oshokoya was  born into the noble family of Chief Olowa of Imodu Compound, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria. The parents—Mr Daniel Adulphus Ekineh  Oshokoya Olowa and Mrs. Alice Taiwo Olowa (nee Osinuyi Asorooko of  Ogbogbo, Ijebu)—were members of the Anglican Church. Timothy was  the only child of Mr and Mrs Daniel Oshokoya Olowa. He grew up with  his aunt at Ogbogbo near Ijebu-Ode, where he was brought up in the  Baptist Church.