The Anglican Communion’s Church of Nigeria has appointed 15 new nigeria-catholic-bishops-ivf-warning/” title=”…n Catholic Bishops Issue Strong Warning Against IVF Practices”>bishops to lead one vacant diocese and 14 recently established dioceses nationwide, signaling a significant growth in the church‘s outreach efforts.
This decision was announced after the Episcopal Synod of the House of Bishops convened on Thursday at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Okesha, Ado-Ekiti, within the Ekiti Diocese. The church’s Communications Officer, Korede Akintunde, confirmed the development in a statement released on Friday.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba, who chaired the Synod, emphasized that these elections are integral to the church’s strategic initiative to “broaden its influence throughout Nigeria.”
Dr. Ndukuba also revealed that the election for the Missionary Diocese of Eket was deferred due to the recent unexpected death of the Bishop of Uyo Diocese. This new diocese is anticipated to be formed from the existing Uyo Diocese.
He called on church members to uphold the newly elected bishops, their families, and dioceses in prayer, highlighting the necessity of “spiritual wisdom as they embark on their new duties.”
Regarding the consecration ceremonies, Archbishop Ndukuba stated, “Information about the official inauguration of the new dioceses and the installation of the bishops will be shared shortly. The consecration of the bishops-elect is planned for November 9, 2025, in Abuja.”
The Synod’s official communiqué noted, “Following the Episcopal Synod held on Thursday, 18th September 2025, at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Okesha, Ado-Ekiti, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) House of Bishops has elected bishops to fill one vacant See and fourteen newly created dioceses, subsequent to a eucharistic service.”
It further clarified that “fifteen clergy members were chosen to occupy the vacant See of Irele/Ese-Odo and fourteen newly established Sees.”
This expansion comes after the church’s Standing Committee Meeting in Ekiti State (September 15-19, 2025) approved the creation of 15 new dioceses, increasing the total number of dioceses in Nigeria to 176. According to Akintunde, this approval followed “comprehensive inspections, verifications, and validation processes” after the moratorium on new dioceses was lifted in September 2024.
Below is the complete list of the dioceses and their appointed bishops:
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
Through these appointments, the Anglican Communion in Nigeria is poised to expand its missionary endeavors while reinforcing its established diocesan structures.
