By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
More than 183 bishops, alongside senior clergy and lay leaders, gathered in Amichi, Osumeyi, Anambra State, from February 10 to 14, 2026, for the Standing Committee Meeting of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).
The five-day conference was hosted at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Osumeyi, within the Diocese of Amichi, Province of the Niger.
The Standing Committee is the highest executive authority of the Church, responsible for providing leadership and direction between sessions of the General Synod.
The meeting was presided over by the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of Nigeria, Henry Ndukuba, as leaders deliberated on critical spiritual, administrative and developmental issues affecting the Church in Nigeria and beyond.
According to official Church sources, proceedings commenced with a solemn Eucharistic celebration marked by rich liturgical symbolism and ecclesiastical dignity.
From Wednesday, February 11, no fewer than 183 bishops were confirmed in attendance—an indication, observers say, of the Church’s continued expansion and institutional consolidation within Nigeria and the global Anglican Communion.
A Church in Expansion:
The Standing Committee meets twice yearly to consider strategic, doctrinal and governance matters, shaping the Church’s national engagement and diocesan administration.
Clergy and observers attribute the growing number of bishops to the steady creation of new dioceses, driven by missionary outreach, population growth and deliberate restructuring aimed at deepening pastoral oversight.
Preaching at the opening service, Marcus Ibrahim, Archbishop of Jos and Bishop of Yola, spoke on the conference theme, “Serve the Lord: Imperative for the Family Under God.”
He praised successive Church leaders for strengthening Anglican evangelism and mission.
Special commendation was given to Primate Ndukuba for notable progress in evangelism and youth mobilisation, particularly through initiatives such as Joshua Generation International.
Archbishop Ibrahim noted that the Primate is building on foundations laid by his predecessor, Nicholas Okoh, whose tenure witnessed significant spiritual and infrastructural growth.
Ceremony and Continuity:
The opening liturgy was led by Primate Ndukuba, with archbishops, bishops and clergy processing solemnly into the sanctuary. The Eucharist was celebrated by Williams Aladekugbe, Archbishop of Ibadan and Bishop of Ibadan North.
A major highlight of the service was the formal presentation of David Okechukwu Onuoha as Archbishop-Elect of the Province of the Owerri, marking the beginning of a second five-year term in that office.
For worshippers drawn from Amichi, Nnewi and surrounding communities, the ceremony symbolised both continuity and renewal—reflecting ongoing parish expansion, strengthened youth ministries and renewed focus on family life amid changing social realities.
Faith in a Changing Nation:
Against the backdrop of Nigeria’s dynamic religious landscape, Anglican leaders describe the Standing Committee as both an administrative forum and a spiritual compass guiding the Church’s mission.
The conference theme highlights concerns about moral formation, social cohesion and intergenerational continuity within the family.
As deliberations continued in Anambra State, Church leaders emphasised that numerical growth must be matched with doctrinal faithfulness and responsible pastoral care.
The 183 bishops in attendance, they noted, represent a Church navigating expansion and generational transition—seeking to serve both altar and nation with renewed clarity of purpose.
