From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Standing Committee Meeting of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has approved the creation of 15 new dioceses, bringing the total number of dioceses across the country to 176.
The new dioceses are:
Full-fledged Dioceses:
– Ekiti South Diocese out of Ekiti Diocese
– Kalabari Diocese out of Niger Delta Diocese
– Lagos South West Diocese out of Lagos West Diocese
– Omoku Diocese out of Ahoada Diocese
– Ozoro Diocese out of Oleh Diocese
Missionary Dioceses:
– Eket Diocese out of Uyo Diocese
– Idanre Diocese out of Akure Diocese
– Ikom Diocese out of Calabar Diocese
– Keffi Diocese out of Kubwa and Lafia Dioceses
– Nasarawa Diocese out of Lafia Diocese
– Ogoja Diocese out of Calabar Diocese
– Oyo South Diocese out of Oyo Diocese
– Oyun Diocese out of Kwara Diocese
– Takum Diocese out of Jalingo Diocese
– Zuru Diocese out of Kebbi Diocese
Korede Akintunde, Communication Officer of the Church, in a statement on Thursday, September 18, noted that the new dioceses are in addition to the existing 161 dioceses across the country.
He stated that the approval came after several visits, inspections, validations, and processes targeted at verifying the status of the applications for the creation of the dioceses received.
He said: “Three teams were set up in September 2024 after the moratorium on creating a new diocese was lifted. The teams were tasked with receiving, inspecting, and verifying all applications for the creation of new dioceses.
“The inspection teams are as follows: Old Province 1 headed by Archbishop Joseph Akinfenwa, Old Province 2 headed by Archbishop David Onuoha, and Old Province 3 headed by Archbishop Daniel Yisa. They presented their fact-finding report at the Standing Committee held at Niger Delta Diocese in February 2025, which formed the basis of the assignments of the Church of Nigeria Validation Team on the creation of full-fledged and missionary dioceses, which was constituted and inaugurated by the Primate on 27th March, 2025, headed by the Most Rev’d Dr Timothy Yahaya.
“The validation team, in turn, visited, inspected, and verified the contents of the report of the inspection teams and verification committee and made recommendations to the Primate on the creation of full-fledged and missionary dioceses in the Church of Nigeria.
“At the Episcopal Synod held on 11th July, 2025, at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Iji-Nike, Enugu State, the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, presented the report of the validation team and its recommendations to the Synod for consideration and approval.
“The Episcopal Synod consequently approved the presentation of the report and directed its consideration by the Standing Committee of the General Synod at its further meeting scheduled to be held in Ekiti, September 15th–19th, 2025.
“Hence, the Standing Committee of the General Synod, acting on behalf of the General Synod of the Church of Nigeria and in accordance with the provisions of Section 37(a), (b), and (d) of Chapter X of the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2020, approved and accepted the report of the Church of Nigeria validation team on the creation of full-fledged and missionary dioceses and approved the creation of the 15 new dioceses.
“Other processes, notably the election of bishops, consecration, inaugurations, and enthronement dates, shall be announced in due course.”