Anglican Province of the Niger


The Anglican Province of the Niger is one of the 14 ecclesiastical provinces of the Church of Nigeria. It includes nine dioceses:
  • Awka
  • Aguata
  • Amichi
  • Ihiala
  • Mbamili
  • On the Niger
  • Niger West
  • Nnewi
  • Ogbaru

Archbishops of the Province

, Bishop of Awka was the first archbishop of the Niger Province, from its erection in 2002 until his retirement in 2010; he had previously been Archbishop of Province II since 2000. He was re-elected in 2007.
Christian Efobi, Bishop of Aguata, was the second Archbishop of the Province, until his retirement in 2018. He had started his second term as archbishop on 24 July 2016.
Godwin Okpala, Bishop of Nnewi, was the third Archbishop, from 4 April 2018 until his retirement in September 2019.
Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, Bishop of Awka, has been Archbishop of the Province of the Niger since his election during 2019 and installation on 24 September 2019.

Diocese on the Niger

The oldest diocese in the province and in all Nigeria is the Diocese of Niger; ultimately, all the dioceses of the province have split from that on the Niger.

Diocese of Awka

The Diocese of Awka was created on 9 March 1987, from the Diocese on the Niger and inaugurated during a ceremony at the then Pro-Cathedral, St Faith's. The cathedral is St Faith's, Awka; the diocese was split on 5 September 2005, to create the Aguata diocese.

Bishops of Awka

Diocese of Nnewi

Nnewi diocese was split off from the Diocese of the Niger, and inaugurated on 14 February 1996. The cathedral of the diocese is St Mary's, Uruagu Nnewi. The Diocese of Nnewi has since been split twice, to form the Dioceses of Amichi and of Ihiala.

Bishops of Nnewi

Diocese of Aguata

Aguata diocese was erected from that of Awka in 2005; it was inaugurated on 4 September 2005, in a ceremony led by Peter Akinola, Primate of All Nigeria. The mother church of the diocese is St John's Cathedral, Ekwulobia.

Bishops of Aguata

Diocese of Ogbaru

Previously a Missionary Archdeaconry of the Diocese on the Niger, Ogbaru was erected a missionary diocese on 15 March 2007; its headquarters are at Atani, and the cathedral is St James's Cathedral, Atani.

Bishops of Ogbaru

Diocese of Ihiala

On 7 June 2008, Ihiala diocese was inaugurated, having been split from the Diocese of Nnewi. The mother church is St Silas' Cathedral, Ihiala.

Bishops of Ihiala

Diocese of Niger West

The Diocese of Niger West was split from the Diocese on the Niger on 9 June 2008; the mother church is St Gabriel's Cathedral, Umueri.

Bishops of Niger West

Diocese of Mbamili

Erected from Niger Diocese, Mbamili was inaugurated on 9 June 2008 and Okeke was its first bishop.

Bishops of Mbamili

Diocese of Amichi

The Diocese of Amichi was founded from the Diocese of Nnewi, and inaugurated on 13 January 2009; the mother church is St Andrew's Cathedral, Amichi.

Bishops of Amichi