Anglican Church Elects 15 New Bishops

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has elected 15 new bishops to oversee one vacant diocese and 14 newly created dioceses across the country, marking a major expansion in the denomination’s mission.

The announcement was made following 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 development was confirmed in a statement on Friday by the Church’s Communication Officer, Korede Akintunde.

According to him, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba, who presided over the Synod, explained that the elections were part of the church’s strategic drive to “deepen its presence across Nigeria.”

Ndukuba further disclosed 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, he noted, is expected to be carved out from Uyo.

He urged members of the church to commit the bishops-elect, their families, and their respective dioceses into prayers, stressing that “divine guidance is needed as they take on their new responsibilities.”

On the consecration, Archbishop Ndukuba added, “Details of the inauguration of the new dioceses and the enthronement of the bishops will be released soon, while the consecration of the newly elected bishops is scheduled for November 9, 2025, in Abuja.”

The Synod’s communiqué stated, “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.”

It added that “fifteen clergymen were elected to fill the current vacant See of Irele/Ese-Odo and fourteen of the newly created Sees.”

This development follows the church’s decision at its Standing Committee Meeting in Ekiti State (September 15–19, 2025) to create 15 new dioceses, bringing the total across the country to 176. The approval, Akintunde said, came after “a series of inspections, verifications, and validation exercises” following the lifting of the moratorium on the creation of dioceses in September 2024.

Hereunder is the full list full-fledged diocese

Diocese of Irele/Ese-Odo – Venerable Samuel Ogunmiluyi
Diocese of Ekiti South – Venerable Francis Bankole
Diocese of Kalabari – Venerable Boma Briggs
Diocese of Lagos South West – Venerable Dr. Adewole Ajayi
Diocese of Omoku – Venerable Richard N. Okpara
Diocese of Ozoro – Venerable Dr. Benjamin Idume

Missionary Dioceses
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
Missionary Diocese of Zuru – Venerable Dr. Ayuba Kanta

With this election, the Anglican Communion is set to extend its reach into new missionary frontiers while strengthening its traditional dioceses.