The Archbishop of Lagos becomes the first Nigerian bishop to serve as a member of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization.
Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, as a member of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches.
The appointment, which took effect on June 30, was announced in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Archbishop of Lagos, Rev. Fr. Paul Ariole.
According to the statement, Archbishop Martins is the first Nigerian bishop to be appointed as a member of the Vatican body, marking a significant milestone for the Catholic Church in Nigeria.
The statement described the appointment as recognition of the Archbishop’s 27 years of episcopal ministry and his contributions to the growth of the Catholic Church across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Dicastery for Evangelization was restructured under Pope Francis through the 2022 Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium. Under Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican office continues to oversee efforts to promote the New Evangelization in traditionally Christian societies while supporting the development of mission churches, particularly across the Global South.
Church officials said Archbishop Martins’ pastoral experience and leadership make him well suited for the role.
Born on June 1, 1959, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Archbishop Martins was ordained a Catholic priest on September 18, 1983, by Anthony Cardinal Okogie.
He was appointed the inaugural Bishop of Abeokuta by Pope John Paul II in 1997 before Pope Benedict XVI named him Archbishop of Lagos in 2012.
During his leadership of the Lagos Archdiocese, Archbishop Martins has overseen significant growth within the local Church. He has ordained 84 priests, expanded the archdiocese from seven to 20 deaneries, and dedicated more than 50 churches and parishes while providing pastoral leadership to an estimated 3.5 million Catholics.
Despite his new Vatican responsibilities, Archbishop Martins will continue to lead the Archdiocese of Lagos. He will participate in the Dicastery’s meetings, consultations and decision-making processes, travelling to Rome when required.
The Archdiocese described the appointment as an important moment for the Catholic Church in Nigeria and West Africa, noting that it reflects the region’s growing contribution to the Church’s global mission.
