The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has approved the creation of 15 new dioceses, raising the total number of dioceses across the country to 176.
The decision was reached during the Church’s Standing Committee Meeting, held in Ekiti State from September 15 to 19, 2025.
According to a statement released on Thursday by the Church’s Communication Officer, Korede Akintunde, the approval followed a series of inspections, verification, and validation exercises. These were conducted after the moratorium on the creation of new dioceses was lifted in September 2024.
The statement explained that inspection teams were assigned to the Church’s three old provinces. Province 1 was led by Archbishop Joseph Akinfenwa, Province 2 by Archbishop David Onuoha, and Province 3 by Archbishop Daniel Yisa.
Their fact-finding reports were first presented at the Standing Committee Meeting held in the Diocese of Niger Delta in February 2025. Based on these reports, the Church of Nigeria constituted a Validation Team, inaugurated by the Primate on March 27, 2025. The team was led by the Most Rev’d Dr. Timothy Yahaya.
The Validation Team was tasked with verifying the findings of the inspection and verification committees and subsequently made recommendations to the Primate regarding the creation of new dioceses.
Out of the 15 new dioceses approved, five are to function as full-fledged dioceses, while the remaining ten will operate as missionary dioceses.
Full-fledged Dioceses:
1. Ekiti South Diocese out of Ekiti Diocese
2. Kalabari Diocese out of Niger Delta Diocese
3. Lagos South West Diocese out of Lagos West Diocese
4. Omoku Diocese out of Ahoada Diocese
5. Ozoro Diocese out of Oleh Diocese
Missionary Dioceses:
1. Eket Diocese out of Uyo Diocese
2. Idanre Diocese out of Akure Diocese
3. Ikom Diocese out of Calabar Diocese
4. Keffi Diocese out of Kubwa and Lafia Dioceses
5. Nasarawa Diocese out of Lafia Diocese
6. Ogoja Diocese out of Calabar Diocese
7. Oyo South Diocese out of Oyo Diocese
8. Oyun Diocese out of Kwara Diocese
9. Takum Diocese out of Jalingo Diocese
10. Zuru Diocese out of Kebbi Diocese
The Church noted that the dates for the election of bishops, as well as their consecration, inauguration, and enthronement, will be announced in due course.
