LAGOS, Nigeria: The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has ordained six new priests and 14 deacons at a solemn Priestly and Diaconate Ordination ceremony held today, Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos.
The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, who conferred the Sacrament of Holy Orders on the 20 ordinands before a large gathering of Catholic priests, religious men and women, seminarians, relatives, friends and members of the faithful.
The ceremony marked an important moment in the life of the Archdiocese, with six deacons elevated to the priesthood and 14 seminarians ordained to the diaconate.
The ordination was held at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, located along Airport Road in Ikeja, one of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos’ prominent worship centres.
Six ordained priests
The six deacons elevated to the priesthood are:
- Rev. Peter Sewanu Mokun
- Rev. Johnpaul Tobechukwu Nwabuisi
- Rev. Jerome Chisom Anozie
- Rev. Morris Chukwunonso Mordi
- Rev. Joshua Oluwaseun Fipiade
- Rev. John Emeka Odika
The six will now begin their priestly ministry in the service of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.
Several of the newly ordained priests have spent years undergoing spiritual, academic and pastoral formation in preparation for the priesthood.
Rev. Peter Sewanu Mokun, for instance, entered seminary formation under the Archdiocese of Lagos in 2016. He was ordained a deacon in September 2025 before taking the final step to the priesthood. His formation included studies at St. John of the Cross Spiritual Year Seminary, Ekpoma, SS. Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Ibadan, and the Pontifical Urban University in Rome.
Rev. Johnpaul Tobechukwu Nwabuisi also followed a lengthy formation journey, beginning his vocation journey in 2016 and undertaking philosophical and theological studies as part of his preparation for priesthood.
Rev. Morris Chukwunonso Mordi, from Issele-Uku in Delta State, is another of the newly ordained priests whose vocation journey has been documented. He previously studied in preparation for a different career before responding to the call to the priesthood and entering seminary formation through the Lagos Archdiocese.
14 seminarians ordained deacons
Fourteen seminarians were also ordained to the diaconate during the ceremony.
They are:
- Rev. Benedict Udeh-Apeh
- Rev. John God’s Power Theodore
- Rev. Emmanuel Chisom Ibeakwaeze
- Rev. Mathias Tochukwu Okeke
- Rev. Anthony Uchechukwu Azubuike
- Rev. Reuben Mautin Yonronfun
- Rev. Augustine Chiebuka Anyanwu
- Rev. Matthew Setonji Salako
- Rev. Victor Ojochenemi Musa
- Rev. Collins Chukwudi Amaizu
- Rev. Linford Ikenna Unogu
- Rev. Leo Chukwuebuka Okoye
- Rev. Francis Chinonso Ifedioranma
- Rev. Vincent Oginikachukwu Akunne
The 14 newly ordained deacons will continue their ministry and formation as they serve the Church and prepare for their future priestly responsibilities.
Archbishop Martins: Priesthood is a call to service
In his homily, Archbishop Alfred Martins reminded the newly ordained that Holy Orders should not be regarded as a promotion or an elevation to a position of privilege.
Rather, he described ordination as a gratuitous consecration and a call to serve God and humanity.
The Archbishop urged the new priests and deacons to understand the responsibility that comes with their ministry and to remain faithful to the vocation they have received.
He reminded them that their lives must reflect the Gospel they proclaim.
The Archbishop’s message was particularly focused on selfless service, integrity and sacrifice.
Warning against greed and immorality
Archbishop Martins also gave the new clergy a strong warning against allowing worldly interests to interfere with their ministry.
He urged them to shun unchastity, avarice and greed, stressing that ministers of the Church must maintain lives that are consistent with their calling.
He told the ordinands that they should be men of good reputation, wisdom and faith, capable of carrying out their responsibilities without bringing scandal to the Church.
The Archbishop further urged them to hold firmly to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience and to ensure that their actions correspond with what they preach.
Independent Newspaper reported that Martins told the ordinands to demonstrate through their lives that they were true ministers of Christ and firmly rooted in faith.
‘The harvest is great’
The Archbishop also reflected on the enormous pastoral needs of Lagos.
With Lagos having a population running into tens of millions, Martins noted the relatively small number of Catholics compared with the overall population.
He therefore described the newly ordained men as additional labourers being sent into God’s harvest.
The Archbishop expressed gratitude to God for answering the prayers of the Archdiocese and providing additional ministers to serve the Church.
New clergy urged to bring hope
Another major theme of Archbishop Martins’ message was the need for the new priests and deacons to become sources of hope to the people.
He said their ministry begins at a time when many Nigerians are dealing with economic hardship, uncertainty and difficult social conditions.
He therefore encouraged them to remain joyful, faithful and available to the people entrusted to their pastoral care.
Their responsibility, he stressed, goes beyond celebrating Mass or preaching from the pulpit. Their conduct, relationships and personal lives must also communicate the hope of the Gospel.
Archbishop speaks on Nigeria’s economy
The ordination ceremony also provided Archbishop Martins with an opportunity to comment on Nigeria’s economic situation.
He acknowledged discussions about improvements in the country’s macroeconomic indicators but said such improvements must eventually translate into better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
He said:
“We hear that the macroeconomics is good, but we are waiting for macroeconomics to translate into micro so that life can be a lot better for people.”
The Archbishop called for continued efforts to improve the economy and urged governments at different levels to ensure that available resources are used for the welfare of citizens.
Martins urges Nigerians to prepare for 2027 elections
The Archbishop also addressed the political responsibility of Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He encouraged citizens to remain active participants in the democratic process and urged eligible voters to carefully consider candidates seeking political office.
According to the Archbishop, Nigerians should use their votes responsibly and elect leaders capable of managing the nation’s resources for the common good.
He stressed the importance of citizens taking an active interest in the country’s affairs rather than surrendering their democratic power.
Priests, religious and faithful attend ceremony
The ordination attracted Catholic clergy, religious men and women, seminarians, family members, friends and members of the faithful.
Priests of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos joined Archbishop Martins for the solemn celebration, while relatives and friends of the ordinands gathered to witness the important milestone in their lives.
The newly ordained were supported by the Catholic community as they took their respective steps into the priesthood and diaconate.
While the ceremony brought together numerous priests and clergy, a complete official public list identifying every Rev. Father who attended or concelebrated the Mass has not been reliably published in the reports currently available. For accuracy, individual priests should not be named as attendees without confirmation from the official programme or identifiable event photographs.
A solemn rite of Holy Orders
The ordination followed the traditional rites of the Catholic Church.
The candidates presented themselves before the Archbishop and the Church before making their respective commitments.
The Rite of Ordination included the laying on of hands and the Prayer of Ordination, through which the candidates were formally admitted to their respective orders.
The six priests subsequently began their new ministry as ordained priests, while the 14 deacons assumed their responsibilities as ministers of the Church.
The celebration concluded with prayers and blessings for the newly ordained as they begin their respective ministries.
A significant moment for Lagos Catholic Church
The ordination represents a significant moment for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, which continues to serve a large and diverse Catholic population across Lagos State.
The addition of six priests and 14 deacons provides further manpower for pastoral work, evangelisation, liturgical ministry and service to Catholic communities.
But Archbishop Martins’ message made clear that the new clergy must not view their ordination primarily as an achievement or position.
Instead, they have been called to a life of service, sacrifice, discipline, integrity and commitment to the people of God.
For the families of the newly ordained, the ceremony represents the culmination of years of prayer, formation and sacrifice.
For the Archdiocese, it marks the beginning of a new chapter for 20 men who have committed themselves to serving God and the Church.
ORDINANDS AT A GLANCE
Priests ordained: 6
Deacons ordained: 14
Total: 20
Ordaining Archbishop: Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins
Archdiocese: Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos
Venue: Catholic Church of the Ascension, Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026
