United Methodist Church Ends 13-year Internal Dispute

The United Methodist Church (UMC), Nigeria Episcopal Area, has ended the internal wrangling which had hampered evangelistic and administrative activities of the church for 13 years.

The age-long disagreement ended with the signing of a Deed of Reconciliation among aggrieved parties of its major conferences in Nigeria, which development paved the way for peace, unity and administrative restructuring within the Nigeria Methodist church.

The agreement, which was executed in 2025, brought together the UMC Nigeria Episcopal Area and five of its constituent bodies: the Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church (SCUMC), Southern Nigeria Annual Conference (SNAC), Central Nigeria Annual Conference (CNAC), North East Nigeria Annual Conference (NENAC), and Northern Nigeria Annual Conference (NNAC).

The dispute, which began in 2012, stemmed largely from disagreements over the conduct of the episcopal election and the demarcation of church conferences in Nigeria.

The crisis disrupted fellowship within the church, resulted in prolonged legal battles, and reportedly led to loss of lives and destruction of property, despite interventions by the Taraba State Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state.

According to the Deed signed by the representatives of UMC Nigeria Episcopal Area, SCUMC, SNAC, CNAC, NENAC, NNAC, and witnessed by Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel and other church leaders, a copy of which was made available to LEADERSHIP in Jalingo, the parties were guided by Christian principles of love, forgiveness and unity and voluntarily agreed to reconcile and restore harmony within the church community.

“As part of the agreement, all parties acknowledged their respective roles in the crisis, expressed regret over their actions and offered mutual apologies.

“They also committed themselves to forgiveness and to future conduct based on biblical teachings, including love, humility, patience and mutual respect,” the Deed stated.

The church leaders in the Deed further resolved to fully restore fellowship and cooperation in all church activities, and pledged non-retaliation, and an end to intimidation, harassment or defamation among members.

They also agreed to withdraw all pending complaints, petitions and legal cases related to the dispute, both within and outside the church.

For administrative clarity, the church approved fresh boundary demarcations between conferences, particularly between the Southern Conference of the UMC and the Southern Nigeria Annual Conference, with specific areas in Jalingo, Kona, Lau local governments and surrounding districts clearly assigned.

A major outcome of the reconciliation is the creation of two Episcopal Areas in Nigeria, in response to the growth of the church. The Southern Nigeria Episcopal Area was created with headquarters in Jalingo, Taraba State, and the North-Central Nigeria Episcopal Area, with headquarters in Abuja.

The Southern Nigeria Episcopal Area will comprise SCUMC, the Southern Nigeria Annual Conference and the Cameroon Mission District, while the North-Central Nigeria Episcopal Area included the Central, Northeast and Northern Nigeria Annual Conferences, as well as the Senegal Mission District.

The agreement, as captured in the Deed also provides for a comprehensive re-demarcation of Nigeria’s 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and the mission fields in Cameroon and Senegal into five Annual Conferences under the two Episcopal Areas.

In addition, the Southern Nigeria Annual Conference has been renamed the South West Nigeria Annual Conference (SWENAC), with headquarters in Mutum-Biyu, Taraba State, while the Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church retains its name and headquarters in Jalingo.

The Deed stipulated that, any future disagreements among the parties shall be resolved in accordance with the Holy Bible and the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church.

Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel, who attested to the agreement described the reconciliation as voluntary, and noted that it is binding on all leaders and members of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria and serves as a lasting symbol of renewed unity.

Other Church leaders in attendance also expressed optimism that the reconciliation will strengthen evangelism, promote peace among members and reposition the UMC in Nigeria for effective ministry and growth.