Jeremy Joyner White

White died in Lagos on 23 April 1990, after a brief illness. Already during his life he enjoyed a reputation for being religious and faithful among those who knew him.

White obtained Nigerian citizenship in 1985. At the time of his death, he was an associate professor at the University of Lagos.

On the registration of ECS, Alos states that: “Jeremy White made several visits and had to wait for hours on end swinging files from desk to desk at the Ministry of Trade. Jeremy’s patience was exemplary. Knowing that he would have to spend time in waiting rooms, he always took a book of philosophy or history to read… On 3 March 1974, Jeremy had an interview with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). This statutory interview was one of the last steps in the process which during which Jeremy had to defend the aims and purposes of ECS. The journey of the incorporation ended on 21 August 1974 with the registration of ECS” (Not by Chance: Memories of the Lagos Business School, p 12).

He obtained a doctorate degree in History in 1970 from Nigeria's premier university, the University of Ibadan. His first employment in Nigeria was at the Institute of Administration, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife, as a lecturer and research fellow. In October 1973, he moved to Lagos having been appointed a lecturer at the Department of History, University of Lagos.

White and Gabiola were later joined by Gerard Gutiérrez (arriving April 1966), Louis Joachim Munoz (August 1966), Anthony Guillén Preckler (October 1966) and Albert Alos (October 1967) to start the Opus Dei in Nigeria.

On 20 October 1965, White arrived in Nigeria (from Kenya) to start, with others, the apostolic work of Opus Dei. Albert Alos recounts their arrival thus in his book: Sowing the Seed, Personal Memories of the First Ten Years of Opus Dei in Nigeria (1965–75): "On Wednesday, 20th of October, 1965, Fr. Joseph and Jeremy took an Ethiopian Airlines’ plane in Nairobi that was coming from Dar es Salaam. From its incredible early beginnings in 1945, Ethiopian Airlines had enjoyed the highest prestige and reputation. Fr. Joseph and Jeremy were therefore surprised that the 7.30 am flight was announced to be delayed till 9 am.... They then flew to West Africa and landed in Lagos at 4 pm, where Fr. Joseph and Jeremy left the politicians behind en route to Accra. At the Lagos airport, there was neither a red carpet nor a musical band waiting for them. The airport was full of people, and they heard words in English and in all sorts of Nigerian dialects. They were happy to step on Nigerian soil.... Early in the morning of the 21st they took a taxi to St. Agnes Technical Teaching College where Fr. Joseph celebrated Holy Mass. The taxi driver decided to join Jeremy in attending Mass. From there, they took an 8:30 am flight to Ibadan..."

Although White was born into an Anglican family, he converted to the Catholic faith in 1959 after studying Catholic doctrine at Netherhall House, a residence for students in London placed under the pastoral care of the Prelature of Opus Dei.

Jeremy Joyner White (18 May 1938 – 23 April 1990) was British scholar. His secondary education took place at Wellington College. He went on to study at Cambridge University where in 1959 he obtained a bachelor's degree in History and Modern Languages.