Anglican Church of Nigeria Elects 15 New Bishops, Creates 14 New Dioceses

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has elected 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 Diocese of Ekiti. The decision was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Church’s Communication Officer, Korede Akintunde.

Presiding over the Synod, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba, described the development as part of the Church’s expansion and mission strategy to strengthen its presence nationwide.

He noted that the election for the Missionary Diocese of Eket was suspended due to the sudden passing of the Bishop of Uyo Diocese earlier in the week. The proposed diocese is to be carved out from Uyo.

Archbishop Ndukuba urged members to pray for the bishops-elect, their families, and the dioceses under their care, emphasizing the need for divine wisdom as they assume their new roles. He further disclosed that details regarding the inauguration of the new dioceses and the enthronement of the bishops would be announced soon. The consecration of the bishops is scheduled for November 9, 2025, in Abuja.

The Church recently approved the creation of 15 new dioceses—bringing the total to 176—at the Standing Committee Meeting in Ekiti State (September 15–19, 2025). This followed extensive inspections and verification exercises after the moratorium on the creation of dioceses was lifted in September 2024.

Newly Elected Bishops and Their Dioceses

Full 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

0. Idanre – Venerable Bode Otenaike
1. Ikom – Venerable David Michson
2. Keffi – Venerable Dr. Paul Dajur
3. Nasarawa – Venerable Dr. Luka B. Allu
4. Ogoja – Venerable Ifeanyi Akunna
5. Oyo South – Venerable Dr. Ebenezer Familoni
6. Oyun – Venerable Solomon Adewumi
7. Takum – Rev’d Canon Rika G. Ibrahim
8. Zuru – Venerable Dr. Ayuba Kanta