The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has elected 15 new bishops to oversee one vacant and 14 newly created dioceses, marking a significant step in its ongoing mission expansion across the country.
The announcement was made following the Episcopal Synod of the House of Bishops, which took place on Thursday at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Okesha, Ado-Ekiti, within the Ekiti Diocese.
The election was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by Korede Akintunde, the Church’s Communication Officer.
Presiding over the Synod, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, explained that the creation of the new dioceses aligns with the church’s broader mission strategy to deepen its presence nationwide.
“These elections are part of our vision to strengthen evangelism and church growth,” the Primate said.
He noted that while the Synod elected bishops for most of the new dioceses, the election for the Missionary Diocese of Eket was postponed due to the recent death of the Bishop of Uyo Diocese, as the new diocese is to be carved out of that jurisdiction.
Primate Ndukuba called on members of the Church to pray for the bishops-elect, their families, and the dioceses they are set to lead, emphasizing the spiritual responsibility they are undertaking.
He also announced that the consecration ceremony for the new bishops will be held on November 9, 2025, in Abuja, with the formal inauguration of the dioceses to follow.
Full-Fledged Dioceses:
1. Diocese of Irele/Ese-Odo – Venerable Samuel Ogunmiluyi
2. Diocese of Ekiti South – Venerable Francis Bankole
3. Diocese of Kalabari – Venerable Boma Briggs
4. Diocese of Lagos South West – Venerable Dr. Adewole Ajayi
5. Diocese of Omoku – Venerable Richard N. Okpara
6. Diocese of Ozoro – Venerable Dr. Benjamin Idume
Missionary Dioceses:
1. Missionary Diocese of Idanre – Venerable Bode Otenaike
2. Missionary Diocese of Ikom – Venerable David Michson
3. Missionary Diocese of Keffi – Venerable Dr. Paul Dajur
4. Missionary Diocese of Nasarawa – Venerable Dr. Luka B. Allu
5. Missionary Diocese of Ogoja – Venerable Ifeanyi Akunna
6. Missionary Diocese of Oyo South – Venerable Dr. Ebenezer Familoni
7. Missionary Diocese of Oyun – Venerable Solomon Adewumi
8. Missionary Diocese of Takum – Rev’d Canon Rika G. Ibrahim
9. Missionary Diocese of Zuru – Venerable Dr. Ayuba Kanta
Earlier this week, the Church officially approved the creation of 15 new dioceses during its Standing Committee Meeting held between September 15–19, 2025, also in Ekiti State.
This followed the lifting of a moratorium on the creation of new dioceses in September 2024, after a series of rigorous inspections, validations and administrative assessments.
