Catholic Bishops Elect New Leadership As Archbishop Ndagoso Takes The Helm
In a season marked by insecurity and deep social strain, Nigeria’s Catholic bishops have turned to a leader known for peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue to guide the Church’s national direction.
At the First Plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) held at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja on 24 February 2026, the bishops elected the Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man’oso Ndagoso, as President of the Conference.
He succeeds the outgoing leadership after previously serving as CBCN Vice President since 2022.
Also elected were the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, as Vice President; the Bishop of Abeokuta, Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo, as Secretary; and the Bishop of Abakaliki, Most Rev. Peter Chukwu, as Assistant Secretary.
Other bishops were chosen to oversee key directorates and departments of the Secretariat and CBCN agencies.
The new officers will be formally presented at the closing ceremony of the plenary on 25 February.
Archbishop Ndagoso, born in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1986, has led the Archdiocese of Kaduna since 2008.
A former Bishop of Maiduguri, he is widely respected for promoting inter-religious harmony, environmental stewardship and peace in Northern Nigeria, and for speaking out against attacks on clergy and communities affected by insecurity.
The announcement was signed by the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Ayanleke Banjo.
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