The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, Matthew Ndagoso, has been elected as the new President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
The CBCN serves as the highest decision-making body of the Catholic Church in Nigeria. It coordinates spiritual leadership and social engagement, acting as a moral voice while bringing together bishops, clergy, the faithful, and the wider Nigerian society.
Ndagoso emerged as president during the ongoing 2026 First Plenary Meeting of Catholic bishops in Abuja, where other members of the conference’s executive were also elected.
He takes over from Lucius Ugorji, the Archbishop of Owerri, whose four-year tenure concludes this February.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Michael Banjo, disclosed that the newly elected officials will be formally unveiled at the closing ceremony of the plenary on Wednesday.
Among those elected alongside Ndagoso are Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos as Vice President; Bishop Peter Odetoyinbo of Abeokuta as Secretary; and Bishop Peter Chukwu of Abakaliki as Assistant Secretary.
The statement read, “We are pleased to announce the newly elected principal officials of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria: President: Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso (Archbishop of Kaduna); Vice President: Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins (Archbishop of Lagos).
Others are Secretary: Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo (Bishop of Abeokuta); Assistant Secretary, Most Rev. Peter Chukwu (Bishop of Abakaliki).
The statement added, “There were other bishops elected to oversee the various directorates, departments and units of the Catholic Secretariat and CBCN agencies.
“Please keep them in your prayers as they take up the responsibility of leading the Conference over the next four years in faithful service to the Church and the common good.”
