The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) is the administrative headquarters and coordinating body of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).[1][2] It serves as the central organ for implementing the decisions of the CBCN and facilitating the missionary, educational, pastoral, and human development activities of the Catholic Church in Nigeria.[3][2]
| Abbreviation | CSN |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1956 (established) 1958 (legally incorporated) |
| Founded at | Nigeria |
| Type | Administrative organ of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria |
| Headquarters | Abuja, Nigeria |
| Location |
|
Region served | Nigeria |
| Members | Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria (all dioceses) |
Secretary General | Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Ayanleke Banjo |
President of CBCN | Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso |
Main organ | Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) |
| Affiliations | Christian Association of Nigeria (one of five blocs) |
| Website | csnigeria.org |
History
editThe Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria was established in 1956 as the administrative arm of the Catholic Bishops in Nigeria.[4] It was legally recognised and incorporated as a corporate body in 1958.[2][3]
Headquartered in Abuja, the CSN operates through various departments that support the work of bishops, priests, religious orders, and the laity.[1][2] It has grown to become the key institution through which the Catholic Church in Nigeria coordinates its national-level activities, including social services, advocacy, education, and response to national issues.[5][6][7]
Activities
editThe CSN engages in advocacy on issues of national concern, including peacebuilding, social justice, human rights, security, and good governance.[8][9][10][11] It coordinates charitable works through departments such as Church and Society (which oversees Caritas Nigeria), Pastoral Affairs, Social Communications, Education, Health, Family and Human Life, and others.[12][13][14][15][16]
The Secretariat organizes national programs, leadership retreats, seminars, and empowerment initiatives.[17][18] It also responds to crises such as insecurity, displacement, and humanitarian needs affecting communities in Nigeria.[19][20][21][5]
Leadership
editThe Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria is headed by a Secretary-General, a priest appointed by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to manage day-to-day operations and implement the decisions of the bishops.[2][4] The President of the CBCN provides overall episcopal leadership to the Church in Nigeria, with the Secretariat serving as its executive arm.[22][23] As of 2026, the Secretary-General is Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Ayanleke Banjo and the President of the CBCN is Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna.[24][25]
Past Secretaries-General
editSince its inception, the CSN has had thirteen Secretaries-General.[2] The documented list includes:
| # | Name | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Most Rev. Edmund Joseph Fitzgibbon | 1960–1963 |
| 2 | Rev. Fr. L. Carr | 1963–1967 |
| 3 | Most Rev. Brian David Usanga | 1967–1970 |
| 4 | Most Rev. Alexius O. Makozi | 1970–1972 |
| 5 | Most Rev. Gabriel Ganaka | 1972–1974 |
| 6 | Most Rev. Msgr. A. E. Obine | 1974–1979 |
| 7 | Rt. Rev. Msgr. Raphael C. Anasiudu | 1979–1985 |
| 8 | Rt. Rev. Msgr. John N. Ogbonna | 1985–1994 |
| 9 | Most Rev. Dr Matthew Hassan Kukah | 1994–2000 |
| 10 | Very Rev. Fr. George Ehusani | 2000–2006 |
| 11 | Rt. Rev. Msgr. Michael Otto Ekpenyong | 2006–2012 |
| 12 | Rt Rev. Msgr. Ralph Okechukwu Madu | 2012–2018 |
| 13 | Very Rev. Fr Zacharia Nyantiso Samjumi | 2019-2025 |
Relationship with Christian Association of Nigeria
editThe CSN represents the Roman Catholic Church as one of the five major blocs within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), alongside the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), and the Evangelical Church Winning All / Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria.[26] It participates in national Christian advocacy while maintaining the distinct hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 "Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) | Devex". www.devex.com. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "ABOUT CSN – NIGERIA CATHOLIC NETWORK". Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- 1 2 Admin, Systems (2018-11-27). "About". Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- 1 2 "CSN :: Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria". csnigeria.org. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- 1 2 AriseNews (2024-02-08). "Nigeria's Catholic Secretariat Raises Fresh Concerns Over Insecurity, Corruption". Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ "CSN Decries Plateau Killings, Urges Urgent Action – TheFact Daily". Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ EWTN. "Course on Catholic Social Teaching in Nigeria to Foster Justice, Human Rights: Official". ACI Africa. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ APOGROUP, Africa Newsroom. "Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria".
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ↑ EWTN. "CSN - Latest news". ACI Africa. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ Okafor, Ukamaka (January 2, 2026). "Catholic Secretariat Urges Nigerians to Act Responsibly in 2026". Voice of Nigeria.
- ↑ "CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF NIGERIA- CBCN =COMMUNIQUE= – Catholic Diocese of Warri". Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ caritas (2024-12-03). "Who We Are". Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ "DEPARTMENT OF CHURCH AND SOCIETY – NIGERIA CATHOLIC NETWORK". Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ EWTN. "Catholic Church in Nigeria Launches Initiative to Empower Pastoral Agents Championing Courses for Migrants, Refugees". ACI Africa. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ "Emerging media & religion: Harnessing the digital media for new evangelisation in the Catholic Church in Nigeria – NIGERIA CATHOLIC NETWORK". Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ "DevelopmentAid". DevelopmentAid. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ "Day One: Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria 2026 Retreat – NIGERIA CATHOLIC NETWORK". Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ "CSN Hosts Leadership Retreat to Align Vision and Empower Staff – Melange Associate and Consulting Co Ltd". 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ "Catholic Bishop of Embattled Nigerian Diocese Warns of Humanitarian Crisis as Insecurity Disrupts Education and Farming". www.aciafrica.org. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ "Nigeria's Catholic Clergy Under Siege after Decade of Abductions and Killings". Truth Nigeria. 2026-04-10. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ Olatimehin, Ololade (2026-04-10). "Catholic Diocese Speaks Out as 24 Killed, Church, Mosque Burnt in Fresh Kebbi Attack - Legit.ng". www.legit.ng. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ Ndagi, Leah (February 2026). "Ndagoso Elected New President Of Catholic Bishops Conference Of Nigeria".
- ↑ Akinselure, Wale (2026-02-24). "Catholic Bishops elect new president". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ "Nigeria's Catholic Bishops' Conference Elects New President". ACI Africa. 2026-02-24. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ "CSN Gets New Leadership, Fr. Michael Banjo Assumes Office as CSN Secretary General". Nigeria Catholic Network. 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
- ↑ "About CAN". Christian Association of Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-04-11.