By PHILOMINA ATTAH

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion on Thursday said it was set to consecrate 15 new bishops and inaugurate 14 newly created dioceses.

Mr Korede Akintunde, Communication Officer of the Church, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

He said that the Primate, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, would lead a gathering of Archbishops and Bishops in a sacred service in Abuja on Nov. 9, to perform the ecclesiastic functions.

According to Akintunde, the consecration of 15 newly elected bishops and creation of 14 dioceses marked a massive expansion of the church’s episcopal leadership.

“This historic event is the culmination of a process that began at the Episcopal Synod held on Sept. 18, 2025 at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Okesha, Ado-Ekiti.

“Rising from that synod, the House of Bishops elected new bishops to fill one existing vacancy in the Diocese of Irele/Eseodo and to provide leadership for 14 of the 15 recently created dioceses.”

He said that the move signaled both growth and a strategic spread of the gospel.

“The consecration service will confirm the 15 men as the new episcopal leaders, entrusting them with the spiritual oversight of their respective dioceses.

“However, the momentum will not stop in Abuja. Immediately after the consecration service, the church will embark on an unprecedented six-week stretch of diocesan inaugurations across the nation.

“From the middle of November to the cusp of Christmas 2025, the Primate will crisscross the country to officially inaugurate 14 new dioceses, planting the flag of the Anglican Communion in fresh territories and deepening its reach.

“The inauguration schedule is tentatively slated as follows: For Keffi-Karshi and Nasarawa, it will be Nov.15, while Lagos South-West will be Nov. 25, For Oyo South and Oyun will be Nov 26 and Ekiti South in Nov. 27.

“Others are Idanre in Nov. 28, Ozoro in Dec. 2, Ikom and Ogoja in Dec. 4, Kalabari and Omoku in Dec. 5, Zuru in Dec. 17 and Takum in Dec. 20,’’ he said.

Akintunde quoted Ndukuba to have called on all faithful to cover the newly elected bishops and their families in prayer as they prepare to transition into their new, demanding roles in the days ahead.

“This is a time of great blessing and responsibility for the Church of Nigeria. We are witnessing the hand of God moving mightily to expand His kingdom and we must undergird this new chapter with fervent prayer and support,” the Primate said.

This dual event of consecrations and inaugurations represents one of the most significant single-day and single-season administrative and spiritual expansions in the recent history of the Church of Nigeria, setting a new trajectory for its mission and ministry in the nation. (NAN)