About Us

Patroness of the Archdiocese – Our Lady of Fatima

THE EARLY BEGINNINGS

The beginnings of what is now the Archdiocese of Jos can be traced to February 12, 1907 when Rev. Fathers Oswald Waller, Joseph Mauren and Ernest Belin of the Society of African Missions (SMA) arrived Shendam, the only catholic station north of the Rivers Niger and Benue up to the 1930's. From there the early Missionaries moved up Plateau and settled the faith in Jos North Local Government Area, which is now St. Theresa's Parish, Jos. Although, other missionaries soon crossed the Niger and Benue rivers from the south to evangelize the people of the defunct northern region of Nigeria, the mission station in Shendam marked the real beginning of Catholicism in the northern Nigeria. Since these early humble beginnings, the area has witnessed a catalogue of events and rapid expansion in practically all the major spheres of activities (religious, social and educational, spiritual and pastoral).

EXPANSION OF THE AREA

In 1911, the prefecture of the immense area which covered the whole of the then north eastern Nigeria with the foothold in Shendam was established with the Centre relocated to Jos. in 1922. The Jurisdiction was enlarged and called the “Prefecture Apostolic of Northern Nigeria” and covered the territory north of the Rivers Niger and Benue, with Kano as its headquarters. Further SMA forays into missions in the North led to the creation of the prefectures of Kaduna, Jos and Benue in 1934. Other missionary groups that arrived from the 1930's to the time of political independence in 1960 include the Augustinians (Adamawa Region) and Dominicans (Sokoto) with a host of Sisters notably, the OLA, SSL and the Mercy Sisters, who joined the missions at different times for the education of women.

The provinces of Plateau, Bauchi and Borno as well as parts of Adamawa came under Jos prefecture while the remaining part of the North went to Kaduna. In 1953, Rome elevated the prefecture of Jos to the status of a Diocese. After attaining a level of momentous growth and upon consolidating on the already existing achievements, the diocese of Jos was raised to the status of an Archdiocese in 1994. By 1995 the southern Kaduna part of the diocese was carved out and with other parishes from Kaduna Archdiocese was elevated to the diocese of Kafanchan. By 1996, Bauchi to the north-east of the Archdiocese was raised to the status of an Apostolic Vicariate by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. It became diocese in 2002, mean while a part of the Archdiocese in Nassarawa state was ceded to Lafia diocese in 2001. On June 2, 2007, the Holy Father, Benedict XVI created the Diocese of Shendam out of Jos and comprised of the southern geo-political Zone and parts of the central geo-political zone of the Plateau State. In 2014 the central geo-political zone, part of which belonged to the Archdiocese of Jos and the Diocese of Shendam was raised to the status of a diocese by Pope Francis. 

Although the original jurisdiction covered an area of 240,000sq.km, subsequent developments have reduced it to 14, 403sq.km with the bulk of the Archdiocese in northern and central geo-political zones of Plateau State of Nigeria. The southern and central geo-political zones have been ceded to Shendam and Pankshin Dioceses, respectively. The parts that hitherto belonged to Bauchi, Kaduna and Nassarawa States are now Bauchi, Kafanchan and Lafia Dioceses, respectively. The Catholic population of the Archdiocese now stands at 1,753,430 members divided into 7 deaneries. Two Vicars-General supervise Administration and Religious, Institutions and Societies; with a dean in charge of each deanery. There are 32 Parishes,21Pastoral Areas and 6 Chaplaincies. Statistics show that the area is covered by 80 Diocesan and Religious/Missionary Priests, and 60 Religious Sisters in Communities. There are 68 Major Seminarians and 264Minor Seminarians, 102 full time and 379 part-time (volunteer) Catechists and Catechism Teachers.

The history of the Archdiocese wouldn't be complete without mentioning the untiring efforts of a notable few, even when we are greatly indebted to so many of their collaborators for their dedication and the price they paid. In this regard we remember the following:

Msgr. William Lumley                                   -           1934 – 1953

Rt. Rev. John Reddington (SMA)                  -           1953 – 1975

Most Rev. Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka               -           1975 – 1999

Msgr. Emmanuel Azuka Udeh                       -           1999 – 2000

Most Rev. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama                 -           2000 – 2020

Most Rev. Dr. Mathew Ishaya Audu                    -       2020 - Date

The Archdiocese remains eternally grateful to the generations of priests, religious, catechists and leaders of different groups who have gone before us, especially those whose faith inspired growth in others and have left their prints on the sand of time. We acknowledge all those who are known to God alone for their steadfastness to the end.

ARCHDIOCESAN CURIA

NAME OF LOCAL ORDINARY

Most Rev. Dr.Mathew Ishaya Audu

Archbishop's House, 20, Joseph Gomwalk Road,

P. O. Box 494, Jos 930001, Plateau State, Nigeria.

Phone Number: +234 803 634 7224

E-mail:mishayaa@yahoo.com; E-mail:catharchjos@yahoo.com

Ordained Priest:                                  -                       June 23, 1984

Consecrated Bishop of Lafia:             -                       March 31, 2001

Installed Archbishop of Jos:               -                       March 31, 2020                       

Motto:                                               -                       Ikon Allah

 VICARS GENERAL

Rt. Rev. Msgr (Prof.) Cletus Tanimu Gotan

Vicar-General, Administration & Religious: (In charge of Zaramaganda, Fatima and St Theresa's deaneries)

Phone Number: 08036317398

E-mail:cletusgotan@yahoo.com

 Office:

Archdiocesan Chancery,

20, Joseph Gomwalk Road,

P. O. Box 494, Jos. 930001

Office Mobile Tel: +234 8031152765

Office E-mail: catharchjos@yahoo.com

Residence:

Special Assignment; College of Education Gindiri

Phone Number: 08036317398

E-mail: cletusgotan@yahoo.com

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Benedict Ifeanyi Obidiegwu

Vicar-General, Institutions and Societies: (In charge of Barkin Ladi, Kuru, Zawan and Bukuru deaneries)

Phone Number: 08037034326

E-mail: benobidiegwu@yahoo.com

Office:

Archdiocesan Chancery,

20 Joseph Gomwalk Road,

P. O. Box 494, Jos. 930001.

Office Phone Number: +234 803 115 2765

E-mail:catharchjos@yahoo.com

 Residence:

Our Lady Queen of Peace Pastoral Area, Gold and Base

Phone Number: 08037034326

E-mail: benobidiegwu@yahoo.com

 ARCHDIOCESAN CHANCELLOR/SECRETARY

Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ray Ikpa

Archdiocesan Chancery,

P.O. Box 494, Jos. 930001.

E-mail: catharchjos@yahoo.com

Private E-mail: emmarayikpa@yahoo.com

Phone Number: 08037009855

 Residence:

St. Williams Parish Zawan

 JUDICIAL VICAR 

Rev. Fr. Daniel Gyang 

Phone Number: 08065520610

Email: danielmwadkon@gmail.com 

 Residence:

St. Thomas Parish Shen. 

PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE ARCHBISHOP

Rev. Fr.  Joseph Dung Pwol

Phone Number: 08177927361

Rev. Fr. Anthony Pwajok

Phone Number: 08033673513/ 09016119240

Archdiocesan Chancery, 

P. O. Box 494, Jos. 930001.

Office E-Mail: catharchjos@yahoo.com

Website: www.cadjos.org

Office Phone Number: +234 814677017/07080049813

SECRETARY, ARCHBISHOP'S OFFICE

Ms. Simi Catherine Pinta

Archdiocesan Chancery,

P. O. Box 494, Jos. 930001.

E-mail: catharchjos@yahoo.com

Phone Number: 08060751185

COMPUTER ANALYST.

Mr. Eric Yahaya Hele (Sunny)

Phone Number: 07032101994

E-mail: ehele87@gmail.com 

CHAIRMAN, CATECHETICAL COMMISSION 

Rev. Fr. Anthony Enokela

St. Louis Parish, Jos

Phone Number: 08037015626

 CHAIRMAN, COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Sir Clement Yelkopba, KSM

PPC, No. 5 J.D Gomwalk Road, Jos 

Phone Number: 08035966784

E-mail: cyelkopba@gmail.com 

 CHAIRMAN, EDUCATION COMMISSION 

Prof. Nora Dadu’ut, LSJI

OLQP, Gold and Base

Phone Number: 08036018948

 FAMILY LIFE COMMISSION

Sir Augustine Davou, KSM

Church of Immaculate Conception, Zaramaganda

Phone Number: 07060967074

 CHAIRMAN, HEALTH COMMISSION 

Prof. Simon Yiltok

Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos

Phone Number: 08037036014

 CHAIRMAN, COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS AND VULNERABLE PERSONS

Rev Fr. Dr. Kevin Paul Elendu OMI 

Lecturerer – St. Augustine’s Major Seminary. 

Phone Number: 08039696333

 CHAIRMAN/COORDINATORS, JUSTICE, DEVELOPMENT & PEACE/CARITAS COMMISSION

 Prof. Longmas Wapmuk         -           Chairman

Ms. Benedicta Daboer            -           Coordinator

Rev. Fr. Akpe Stephen            -           Asst Coordinator

Rev. Fr. Basil F. Kassam        -           Asst Coordinator

JDPC, P. O. Box 5262, Jos.

 CHAIRMAN, PASTORAL & LITURGICAL COMMISSION 

 Rev. Fr. Cyril Deshi

College of Mary Immaculate, Zawan

Phone Number:08065797324

 CHAIRMAN, YOUTH COMMISSION 

Very Rev. Fr. Denis Kaye

Martyrs of Uganda Parish, Kuru

Phone Number: 08035905008

 JUDICIAL VICAR JOS PROVINCIAL MARRIAGE TRIBUNAL 

Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ray Ikpa

Archdiocesan Chancery,

P. O. Box 494 Jos.

Phone Number: 08037009855

Personal E-mail:emmarayikpa@yahoo.com

Office E-Mail:catharchjos@yahoo.com

 JOS MARRIAGE TRIBUNAL MEMEBRS.  

 Rev. Fr. Daniel Gyang (Judicial Vicar)

Phone Number: 08065520610

Email: danielmwadkon@gmail.com 

 Residence:

St. Thomas Parish Shen. 

 Rev. Fr. Stanley Igboechesi (Member)

St. Moses Parish, Tudun Wada

Phone Number: 07036872253

 CHAIRMAN, BOARD FOR SACRED HEART PASTORAL CENTRE, JOS

Rev. Fr. Cyril Deshi                                        Chairman

Sr. Theresa Guzuma, OLF                              Manager

Hon. Meshack Chindaba                                ’’

Sir Paul Nsofor, KSJI                                     ’’

Mrs. Mary Pam                                               ’’

Sr. Theresa Dung, OLF                                  ’’

 ARCHDIOCESAN PRIESTS’ COUNCIL

Chairman: Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Choji

Secretary: Rev. Fr. Philip Jamang

 ARCHDIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVE AT INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE AND ECUMENISM

Rev. Fr. Blaise Agwom

St. Mary’s Pastoral Area Dachom-Diye

Phone Number: 07067893666

 ARCHDIOCESAN CAN REPRESENTATIVES, PLATEAU STATE CHAPTER

Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo (CAN Chaariman Plateau State)

St Michael’s, Anguldi

Phone Number: 08035884139

 CAN PRIEST REPRESENTATIVES

Rev. Fr. Reuben Chuhwak

Phone Number: 08069579209

 Rev. Fr. Patrick Polit

Phone Number: 07034879357

 Rev. Fr. Cyril Gai

Phone Number: 08037611661

 ARCHDIOCESAN SECURITY OFFICER,

Rev. Fr Philip Idode

St. Francis Pastoral Area, Fwapwa

Phone Number: 08035893094 

 LAND OFFICER

Mr. Matthew Appwal Attah (MNIS)

P. O. Box 494, Jos

Phone Number: 08037159516

 ARCHDIOCESAN COORDINATOR OF INCULTURATION

Very Rev. Fr. Cyril Deshi

College of Mary Immaculate, Zawan

Phone Number: 08065797324

ARCHDIOCESAN COLLEGE OF CONSULTORS

Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu 

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Benedict Obidiegwu 

Rt. Rev. Msgr. (Prof.) Cletus Gotan  

Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Ndu

Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ray Ikpa

Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Fom

Very Rev. Fr. David Ajang 

Very Rev. Fr. John Dalyop

Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Choji

Very Rev. Fr. Paul Pam

Very Rev. Fr. Denis Kaye

Very Rev. Fr. Dennis Mancha

 ARCHDIOCESAN FINANCE COMMITTEE

Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu

Rev. Msgr. Benedict Obidiegwu

Rev. Msgr. Cletus Gotan

Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ray Ikpa

Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Fom

 ARCHDIOCESAN PROCURATOR (BURSAR)

Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Fom

Archdiocesan Chancery,

20, Joseph Gomwalk Road,

P. O. Box 494, Jos, 930001

Residence: St. Theresa's Parish, Jos

P. O. Box 522, Jos.

Phone Number: 08037112781

 OFFICER, IMMIGRATION & GENERAL DUTY 

Rev. Fr. Noel Gotar

Archdiocesan Chancery,

P. O. Box 494, Jos. 930001.

Phone Number: 07038190136

Residence: St. Matthew’s Giring Abatoir 

 DIRECTOR OF VOCATIONS 

Rev. Fr. Matthew Sukada.

Archdiocesan Chancery,

P. O. Box 494, Jos. 930001.

Phone Number: 08036904647.

Residence: St. Thomas Nkun, Ganawuri

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS 

Rev. Fr. Oscar Pam

Archdiocesan Chancery,

20, Joseph Gomwalk Road,

P. O. Box 494, Jos.

Residence: St. Gabriel Rikkos

Phone Number: 0806158454

 “THE WORD OF LIFE” NEWSPAPER 

Editor-in-Chief:

 Rev. Fr. Stanley Igboechesi

Archdiocesan Chancery,

20, Joseph Gomwalk Road,

P. O. Box 494, Jos, 930001

 Residence:

St. Moses Parish Tudun Wada

Phone Number: 07036872253

 DIRECTOR, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Rev. Fr. Godfrey Gopep

Archdiocesan Chancery,

20, Joseph Gomwalk Road,

P. O. Box 494, Jos, 930001

 Residence: St. Finbarr’s Rayfield

Phone Number: 07037687788

Secretary: Cat. Jacob Usman,

St Jarlath’s Catholic Church, Bukuru.

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE OF OPUS SECURITATIS

Most Rev. Dr. Mathew Ishaya Audu    - Archbishop - Ex Officio

Rev. Msgr. (Prof.) Cletus T. Gotan    - Vicar General –Ex Officio

Rev. Msgr. Benedict Obidiegwu        - Vicar General – ExOfficio

Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ray Ikpa    - Chancellor -  ExOfficio

Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Fom   - Procurator/Coordinator, Opus Securitatis    

Rev. Fr. Philip Jamang                        - Priests’ Council,       Secretary - Ex Officio

Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Nyam         - Canonist                                            

Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Choji                - Member         

Very Rev. Fr. David Ajang                 - Member

HIS GRACE, MOST REV. DR. MATTHEW ISHAYA AUDU
Archbishop and Metropolitan See of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos

In accordance with the universal law of nature of times and seasons, His Grace, Most Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu was born on the 7th of June, 1949 in Rafin-pa, Keffi LGA of the then Plateau State. He is an indigene Of Tudu-Uku, Gitata District, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State.

Early Life

Audu began his educational journey at the Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) School, Tudu-Uku, as one of the pioneer students. Through 19671o 1971, he underwent his primary education at St. William's Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) Primary School Keffi, and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. The quest for more knowledge compelled the young Audu to proceed to the famous Technical School, Kaduna, with the core ambition to become an Engineer. 

Due to financial challenges however, this ambition of his was cut short as he could not continue. Since he was an ambitious young man, he did not resign to his fate of financial incapacity but went on to identify other areas to achieve his destiny. 

While working as a teacher in the school he heard God's call and heeded like the biblical account of Samuel. He sought the counsel of friends and relatives, and most importantly his parish priest, who all encouraged him to respond in the affirmative.

 In line with Henry Ford's thoughts that "the whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one's destiny to do, and then do it he discovered his destiny and his desire for a successful life propelled him forward. As a result, in the fall of 1973, Most Rev Dr. Audu enrolled into St. James' Minor Seminary, Makurdi, now in Yandev, Gboko LGA Benue State. 

Going into the seminary in those days was not something common. So much was involved, especially as Christianity was not yet rooted in our typical traditional African society. His descent from an intensely protestant background further complicated the issue. 

He was however resolute on his decision to become a priest, and even though the financial incapacity which initially stalled his ambition of becoming an engineer resurfaced, God intervened God's intervention came through His Rector, Rev Fr. J. V. Taylor CSSP, who found a sponsor for him, in the person of a charitable British woman, Mrs. Nelson. Mrs. Nelson took over the responsibility of paying his school fees for the rest of his years in the minor seminary.

At graduation from the minor seminary, Archbishop Matthew was admitted into St. Augustine's Major Seminary, Jos, amidst protests from relatives. The protests against his continual to St. Augustine were countered by the kind intervention of his parish priest, Rev. Fr. Anthony CSSP, and his Bishop, Donald Murray CSSP. 

For Matthew Audu, precisely his studies drew him closer to God, and given that his situation required total dependence on God's mercy and kindness, the Lord himself will strengthen him through philosophy and theology in which he eventually accepted to become a Catholic Priesthood.
 

 Few months after his diaconate ordination. precisely on 23rd June, 12 he was ordained priest at St Michael's Catholic Church, Tudu-Uk by the then bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Rev Donald Murray of blessed memory. 

Following his priestly ordination, he commenced his priestly work as assistant parish priest in St Peter's Parish Kefi from 1984 to 1986 and thereafter, moved on to St Willian's Parish, Lafia, to continue with the administration of grace. 1988 saw him in St Kizito's Parish, Nassarawa, where he left for further studies to Rome in pursuit of more knowledge.

He attended the institute of Alphonsiana under the Lateran University, where he obtained a Licentiate in Moral Theology in 1991. He reported back to his bishop who then sent .him to teach at the St Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Makurdi, Benue State. 

As an ardent lover of education, Matthew Audu left teaching after six years back to the institute of Alphonsiana under the Lateran University, Rome for his doctorate degree. Again, he returned to the seminary in Makurdi to continue with his apostolate after obtaining his doctorate degree.

Archbishop Matthew lshaya Audu is evidently hardworking and this is expressly seeing his work in different capacities, namely: member of Vocations Committee in Makurdi Diocese, Diocesan (Makurdi) and National Chaplain of Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON), He also served as a member of the Peace Committee of Nasarawa Local Government while working there. 

In 2004, he was appointed one of the pioneer members of the governing council of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, until the pioneer Council was dissolved. While in the seminary, he held various offices: Dean of Students Affairs, Vice Rector and Acting Rector, a position he held until he was pronounced Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lafia in 2000.

He was consecrated and installed as the first Bishop of Lafia on 31st March 2001. His zeal for mission is demonstrated in the way he administered the diocese since his installation. His motto: IKON ALLAH, literally put, GOD'S POWER, depicts events in his life which preceded his priesthood even his episcopate which have no doubt become a prism through which he envisions a new world, a world in which children of God gather round His table to share from His goodness and a world in which everyone can find and have a sense of belonging.

There's a saying that, the reward for hard work is more work. While serving as the Bishop of Lafia Diocese, he was elected Nasarawa State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Though he only served for a single tenure, testimonies have it that the CAN administration witnessed progress in the association more than ever before: the CAN Secteteriat was built under his leadership.

On 6th January, 2020, he was appointed Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, and the Metropolitan of the See, succeeding Grace, Most Rev Dr. Ignatius Kaigama, who is now the Metropolitan of Abuja.