By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has approved the creation of 15 new dioceses, bringing the total number of dioceses across the country to 176.
The decision was taken at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church, which held in Ekiti State between September 15 and 19, 2025.
According to a statement signed on Thursday by the Church’s Communication Officer, Korede Akintunde, the approval followed a series of inspections, verifications and validation exercises after the lifting of the moratorium on the creation of new dioceses in September 2024.
The statement read, “The inspection team are as follows: Old Province 1 headed by Archbishop Joseph Akinfenwa, Old Province 2 headed by Archbishop David Onuoha while Old Province 3 headed by Archbishop Daniel Yisa.
“They presented their fact-finding report at the Standing Committee held at Niger-Delta Diocese in February 2025 which formed the basis of the assignments of the Church of Nigeria Validation Team on the creation of full-fledged and missionary Dioceses which was constituted and inaugurated by the Primate on 27th March, 2025, headed by the Most Rev’d Dr Timothy Yahaya.
“The Validation Team in turn visited, inspected and verified the contents of the report of the Inspection Teams and Verification Committee and made the recommendations to the Primate on the creation of full-fledged and missionary Dioceses in the Church of Nigeria.”
The statement noted that five of the new dioceses would operate as full-fledged dioceses, while 10 others were approved as missionary dioceses.
The full-fledged dioceses are:
1. Ekiti South Diocese out of Ekiti Diocese
2. Kalabari Diocese out of Niger Delta Diocese
3. Lagos South West Diocese out of Lagos West Diocese
4. Omoku Diocese out of Ahoada Diocese
5. Ozoro Diocese out of Oleh Diocese
The missionary dioceses include:
1. Eket Diocese out of Uyo Diocese
2. Idanre Diocese out of Akure Diocese
3. Ikom Diocese out of Calabar Diocese
4. Keffi Diocese out of Kubwa and Lafia Dioceses
5. Nasarawa Diocese out of Lafia Diocese
6. Ogoja Diocese out of Calabar Diocese
7. Oyo South Diocese out of Oyo Diocese
8. Oyun Diocese out of Kwara Diocese
9. Takum Diocese out of Jalingo Diocese
10. Zuru Diocese out of Kebbi Diocese
The church added that the election of bishops, consecration, inaugurations, and enthronement dates would be announced later.