The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has announced the election of 15 new bishops to oversee one vacant diocese and 14 newly created dioceses across the country.
The announcement followed the Episcopal Synod of the House of Bishops, held on Thursday at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Okesha, Ado-Ekiti, in the Ekiti Diocese. The meeting was presided over by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba.
In a statement signed by the Church’s Communication Officer, Korede Akintunde, the Primate explained that the expansion was part of the church’s mission strategy to strengthen its presence nationwide. He added that the election for the Missionary Diocese of Eket was put on hold following the sudden passing of the Bishop of Uyo Diocese earlier in the week, as the new diocese is expected to be carved out from Uyo.
Archbishop Ndukuba urged members of the church to pray for the newly elected bishops, their families, and the dioceses they will lead, stressing the need for divine guidance in their new responsibilities. He also revealed that the consecration of the bishops will take place on November 9, 2025, in Abuja, while details of the inauguration of the new dioceses will be announced soon.
This development comes after the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church, held in Ekiti State from September 15 to 19, approved the creation of 15 new dioceses, bringing the total number of dioceses in Nigeria to 176.
List of Newly Elected Bishops and Dioceses
Full Dioceses
- Diocese of Irele/Ese-Odo – Venerable Samuel Ogunmiluyi
- Diocese of Ekiti South – Venerable Francis Bankole
- Diocese of Kalabari – Venerable Boma Briggs
- Diocese of Lagos South West – Venerable Dr. Adewole Ajayi
- Diocese of Omoku – Venerable Richard N. Okpara
- Diocese of Ozoro – Venerable Dr. Benjamin Idume
Missionary Dioceses
- Missionary Diocese of Idanre – Venerable Bode Otenaike
- Missionary Diocese of Ikom – Venerable David Michson
- Missionary Diocese of Keffi – Venerable Dr. Paul Dajur
- Missionary Diocese of Nasarawa – Venerable Dr. Luka B. Allu
- Missionary Diocese of Ogoja – Venerable Ifeanyi Akunna
- Missionary Diocese of Oyo South – Venerable Dr. Ebenezer Familoni
- Missionary Diocese of Oyun – Venerable Solomon Adewumi
- Missionary Diocese of Takum – Rev’d Canon Rika G. Ibrahim
- Missionary Diocese of Zuru – Venerable Dr. Ayuba Kanta
The church reaffirmed that the elections followed a series of inspections, verifications, and validations after the lifting of the moratorium on the creation of new dioceses in September 2024.
