Archbishop Martins becomes first Nigerian bishop named to Vatican Dicastery
The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has appointed the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, as a member of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, making him the first Nigerian bishop to serve on the body.
The appointment, which took effect on June 30, 2026, was announced in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Archbishop of Lagos, Rev. Fr. Paul Ariole, who described it as recognition of Archbishop Martins’ 27 years of episcopal ministry and his contributions to the Catholic Church in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the statement, the Dicastery for Evangelization, restructured under Pope Francis through the 2022 Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium and retained under Pope Leo XIV, is responsible for promoting the New Evangelization in historically Christian societies and supporting the growth of mission Churches across the Global South.
The statement noted that the appointment makes Archbishop Martins the first Nigerian bishop to serve as a member of the Vatican body, describing it as a significant milestone for the Catholic Church in Nigeria and West Africa.
Born on June 1, 1959, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Archbishop Martins was ordained a priest in 1983 by Anthony Cardinal Okogie. He became the first Bishop of Abeokuta in 1997 following his appointment by Pope John Paul II before being appointed Archbishop of Lagos by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
Since assuming leadership of the Archdiocese of Lagos, he has ordained 84 priests, expanded the archdiocese from seven to 20 deaneries and dedicated more than 50 churches and parishes while overseeing a Catholic population of about 3.5 million faithful.
The statement said Archbishop Martins would continue to serve as Archbishop of Lagos while participating in the assemblies, consultations and decision-making processes of the Dicastery in Rome whenever required.
“His appointment to the Dicastery for Evangelization marks a significant moment for the Church in Nigeria and West Africa. A Church that once received missionaries now sends one of its most experienced shepherds to help shape the global mission of evangelization,” it added.
