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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 Ekiti Diocese.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Church’s Communication Officer, Korede Akintunde, on Friday.
According to Akintunde, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba, who presided over the Synod, said the development was part of the church’s expansion and mission strategy to deepen its presence across Nigeria.
The Primate explained 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.
The new diocese is to be carved out from Uyo.
Archbishop Ndukuba urged members of the church to pray for the bishops-elect, their families, and the dioceses they will oversee, stressing the need for divine guidance as they take on their new responsibilities.
He added that details of the inauguration of the new dioceses and the enthronement of the bishops would be released soon, while the consecration of the newly elected bishops is scheduled for November 9, 2025, in Abuja.
The statement reads, “The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), House of Bishops, arising from its Episcopal Synod on Thursday, 18th September 2025 at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Okesha, Ado-Ekiti, in Ekiti Diocese, has elected new bishops to fill one of its vacant Sees and the newly created 15 dioceses which commenced after an eucharistic service.
“At the end of this Episcopal Synod, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Rev. Dr. Henry Ndukuba, announced the elections of fifteen clergymen to fill the current vacant See of Irele/Ese-Odo and fourteen of the newly created Sees.”
Recall that on Thursday, the Communion approved the creation of 15 new dioceses, bringing the total number of dioceses across the country to 176 at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church, which held in Ekiti State between September 15 and 19, 2025.
According to Akintunde, the approval followed a series of inspections, verifications and validation exercises after the lifting of the moratorium on the creation of new dioceses in September 2024.
See full-fledged dioceses and their bishops below:
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
