FULL LIST: Anglican Church Elects 15 New Bishops Across Nigeria

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has elected 15 new bishops to lead 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.

The Church’s Communication Officer, Korede Akintunde, said in a statement on Friday that the elections were presided over by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba. Archbishop Ndukuba described the appointments as part of the church’s expansion and mission strategy to strengthen its presence nationwide.

The Primate explained that the election for the Missionary Diocese of Eket was postponed due to the recent passing of the Bishop of Uyo Diocese. The new diocese will be carved out from Uyo. He called on church members to pray for the bishops-elect, their families, and the dioceses they will oversee, emphasizing the need for divine guidance as they take up their responsibilities.

The consecration of the newly elected bishops is scheduled for November 9, 2025, in Abuja, with further details about the inauguration of the new dioceses and enthronement of the bishops to be announced soon.

The elections followed the recent approval of 15 new dioceses, bringing the total number of dioceses in Nigeria to 176. This decision came after inspections, verifications, and validation exercises following the lifting of a moratorium on the creation of new dioceses in September 2024.

The bishops-elect and their dioceses are: Irele/Ese-Odo – Venerable Samuel Ogunmiluyi; Ekiti South – Venerable Francis Bankole; Kalabari – Venerable Boma Briggs; Lagos South West – Venerable Dr. Adewole Ajayi; Omoku – Venerable Richard N. Okpara; Ozoro – Venerable Dr. Benjamin Idume; 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; and Missionary Diocese of Zuru – Venerable Dr. Ayuba Kanta.