Pope Leo XIV elevates Nigerian bishop 

His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, has appointed the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, as a member of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, effective June 30, 2026.

The appointment, announced by the Archdiocese of Lagos, recognises Archbishop Martins’ 27 years of episcopal ministry and his contributions to the Catholic Church in sub-Saharan Africa. With the appointment, he becomes the first Nigerian bishop to serve as a member of the Dicastery.

The Dicastery for Evangelization, restructured under Pope Francis through the 2022 Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium and with its mandate renewed under Pope Leo XIV, is responsible for promoting evangelization in historically Christian societies and supporting the growth of mission Churches, particularly in the Global South.

Born on June 1, 1959, in Abeokuta, Archbishop Martins was ordained a priest on September 18, 1983, by Anthony Cardinal Okogie at Holy Cross Cathedral in Lagos. He earned a First Class degree in Theology from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome and later obtained postgraduate degrees in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan and the University of St Andrews. He also commenced doctoral studies at the University of Edinburgh before his episcopal appointment.

In 1997, Pope John Paul II appointed him the first Bishop of the Diocese of Abeokuta. During his 14-year tenure, the diocese expanded significantly, growing from eight incardinated priests to more than 60. He was later appointed Archbishop of Lagos by Pope Benedict XVI on May 25, 2012.

Since assuming leadership of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Lagos, Archbishop Martins has ordained 84 priests, expanded the Archdiocese from seven to 20 deaneries, and dedicated more than 50 churches and parishes. He currently oversees an estimated 3.5 million Catholics within the Archdiocese, which serves a population of about 20 million people across approximately 3,577 square kilometres.

The Archdiocese comprises more than 230 parishes, over 200 outstations, 100 Mass centres, and 20 deaneries. It is served by about 600 priests, including diocesan, Fidei Donum, and religious priests, alongside hundreds of religious brothers and sisters. The Archdiocese also manages more than 100 healthcare institutions, around 80 schools, and numerous charitable and pastoral centres.

During his tenure, Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, became the first Catholic-owned university in Lagos State to attain full degree-awarding status. He also established the St. John Mary Vianney Home for Priests and the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre to strengthen priestly formation and pastoral work.

At the national level, Archbishop Martins previously served as Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria from 2008 to 2012 and currently serves as its Vice President. He is also Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Anglican–Roman Catholic Commission and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Catholic Institute of West Africa.

According to the Archdiocese, Archbishop Martins will continue to serve as Archbishop of Lagos while participating in the assemblies, consultations and decision-making processes of the Dicastery in Rome as required.

The announcement was signed by the Secretary to the Archbishop of Lagos, Rev. Fr. Paul Ari

ole, on June 30, 2026.