Catholic Church in Nigeria

The Latest

“It has been disappointing to see how seldom a CPC designation has resulted in real consequences for those responsible for religious freedom violations,” U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Chairman Stephen Schneck told CNA.

Commission urges Trump to take action against governments that violate religious liberty

Mar 26, 2025

By Tyler Arnold

“Make appropriate policy changes to demonstrate meaningful consequences and encourage positive change,” the USCIRF report recommends. Read more

Andrew Peter (left), a seminarian, and Father Philip Ekweli (right) were abducted March 3, 2025, from a parish rectory in Nigeria’s Docese of Auchi. Andrew Peter was murdred, though Ekweli was released and is receiving medical attention.

Abducted seminarian murdered in Nigeria; priest released after 10 days in captivity

Mar 18, 2025

By Jude Atemanke

A seminarian abducted on March 3 from a parish rectory in the Nigerian Diocese of Auchi was murdered by his... Read more

Father Sylvester Okechukwu of the Diocese of Kafanchan in Nigeria was found murdered on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Nigerian diocese pays tribute to priest who was murdered on Ash Wednesday

Mar 6, 2025

By Agnes Aineah

According to the information provided by the Diocese of Kafanchan, Okechukwu was kidnapped from his residence at about 9:15 p.m.... Read more

Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa of the Diocese of Katsina in Nigeria.

We’re ‘finding creative methods to reach people,’ says bishop of 1-year-old Nigerian diocese

Dec 26, 2024

By Abah Anthony John

Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa said the innovative approaches to evangelization are bearing fruit in various sectors of his diocese. Read more

The late Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, the oldest priest in Nigeria, who died on the feast of Christ the King, Nov. 24, 2024, at the age of 104.

Oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria dies at 104

Nov 26, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Father Thomas Oleghe, the oldest priest in Nigeria, has passed away at the age of 104. Read more

Nigerian priests Father George Ehusani, founder of the Psycho-Spiritual Institute (PSI) and executive director of the Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, and Father Hyacinth Ichoku, the vice chancellor of  Veritas University Abuja, expressed grave concern about the worsening security situation in Nigeria, noting recent activities by the less-known Lakurawa jihadist group in the country’s northwest region.

‘We are in trouble’: Catholic priests lament another jihadist group making inroads in Nigeria

Nov 25, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Two Catholic priests from Nigeria have expressed grave concern about the worsening security situation in the West African nation. Read more

Sister Francisca Ngozi Uti on Nov. 14, 2024, was named the 2024 Opus Prize laureate, which comes with a $1.2 million award recognizing transformative humanitarian work.

Nigerian Catholic religious sister wins $1.2 million Opus Prize

Nov 18, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Sister Francisca Ngozi Uti, the founder and executive director of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention in Abuja, Nigeria,... Read more

Cardinal Francis Arinze during the centenary celebrations of Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Rome in November 2024.

Cardinal Arinze cautions priests against lengthy homilies

Nov 17, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

“A homily well prepared should last around 10 minutes. A university lecture of 45 minutes is for a different setting,”... Read more

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Nigerian Diocese of Makurdi in Benue state at a breakfast at Capitol Hill organized by Aid to the Church in Need, Jan. 30, 2024.

Over 15 Catholic parishes close amid ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria

Nov 8, 2024

By Abah Anthony John

Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe has called for action to address escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s Benue state, which has led to... Read more

Father Thomas Oyode, the rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Nigeria’s Diocese of Auchi was abducted on Oct. 27, 2024, and regained his freedom after 10 days.

Rector of minor seminary in Nigeria released after 10-day captivity

Nov 7, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Father Thomas Oyode, the rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Nigeria’s Diocese of Auchi who was abducted Oct.... Read more

Father Vitalis Anaehobi, who serves in the southesast region of Nigeria, says that most of the young people he has spoken to are grieved by “difficulties in life” such as poverty, unemployment, and “the failure by the Church to protect them” as attacks against Christians continue in the country where religious-based persecution is one of the highest in the world. Many young people in the villages are now turning to paganism.

Priest urges Church in Nigeria to address needs of youth who are ‘returning to paganism’

Sep 14, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Catholic leaders in southeast Nigeria are concerned about a trend they are witnessing among young rural Catholics — a return... Read more

Devasting flooding has hit the city of Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria, and the diocese there is appealing for assistance and prayer.

Nigeria diocese appeals for help, prayers after thousands displaced by floods

Sep 12, 2024

By ACI Africa

The Diocese of Maiduguri announced that the flooding in Maiduguri, a city in northeast Nigeria, is the worst the region... Read more

This image grab made from an AFPTV video taken in Maiyanga village in Bokkos local government on Dec. 27, 2023, shows families burying in a mass grave their relatives killed in deadly attacks conducted by armed groups in Nigeria's central Plateau state.

56,000 killed in Nigeria’s ethnic and religious violence; Christians disproportionately affected

Sep 3, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

The violence left 55,910 people dead in 9,970 deadly attacks — as well as 21,621 people abducted in 2,705 attacks. Read more

Terrorist attacks in Benue State, Nigeria, have forced residents to flee their villages and, in some cases, seek shelter in local Catholic churches and schools. Pictured here is St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Yelewata.

Over 70 Christians killed, 20 medical students kidnapped in recent Nigeria violence

Aug 20, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

The attacks have renewed calls from religious freedom advocates that the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria a “country of... Read more

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). The bishops released a statement Aug. 15, 2024, the solemnity of the Assumption, condemning abuses during Mass and urging priests to take action.

Catholic bishops in Nigeria condemn liturgical abuses, call for immediate reforms

Aug 19, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

Bishops expressed concern about a rising trend of deviations from established liturgical norms, warning that such practices are a source... Read more

The bishop of Nigeria’s Diocese of Lokoja, Bishop Martin Dada Olorunmolu, has withdrawn ordination certificates to four men he ordained as deacons on July 12, 2024, after he was presented with documents claiming they were qualified for holy orders but were allegedly forged.

‘I was deceived’: Bishop in Nigeria revokes ordination of deacons due to fraud

Jul 31, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

Bishop Martin Dada Olorunmolu was presented with documents showing the men were qualified for holy orders, but the papers were... Read more

A map of Nigeria.

Catholics in Africa want Nigeria withdrawn from ‘pro-LGBT, pro-abortion’ Samoa agreement

Jul 12, 2024

By Silas Isenjia

In a July 9 petition CitizenGo Africa say there have been widespread debates in Nigeria compelling the government to withdraw... Read more

A map of Nigeria.

Biden administration criticized for omitting Nigeria from religious persecution watchlist

Jun 28, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Nina Shea, director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute, told CNA that the report demonstrates a... Read more

Father Justine Dyikuk at the June 1, 2024, launch of his book “Me and my Rosary” in Glasgow, Scotland.

Testimony of conversion is force behind Nigerian priest’s book promoting rosary devotion

Jun 26, 2024

By Agnes Aineah

After witnessing a man’s conversion after rosary prayers, Father Justine John Dyikuk of Nigeria started promoting rosary devotion and wrote... Read more

CNA

Nigeria diocese orders immediate closure of Catholic school after attack

May 10, 2024

By Jude Atemanke

The Diocese of Makurdi in Nigeria has ordered the immediate closure of Father Angus Frazer Memorial High School after an... Read more