The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has appointed the Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins as a member of the Dicastery for Evangelization, marking a historic first for Nigeria in the Vatican’s missionary governance structure.
Archbishop Martins, the head of the Archdiocese of Lagos, becomes the first Nigerian bishop to serve on the influential Vatican body responsible for coordinating evangelisation efforts and supporting mission churches across the Global South.
The appointment, which took effect on June 30, 2026, was confirmed in a statement from the Archdiocese of Lagos, describing it as recognition of his nearly three decades of episcopal leadership and service within the Catholic Church in Africa.
The Dicastery for Evangelization, restructured under reforms initiated by Pope Francis and continued under Pope Leo XIV, oversees the Catholic Church’s global missionary outreach, particularly in regions where Christianity is still developing or expanding.
Born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Martins was ordained a priest in 1983 and later became the first Bishop of Abeokuta in 1997 before his elevation as Archbishop of Lagos in 2012.
During his tenure in Lagos, he has overseen significant expansion of the archdiocese, including the creation of new deaneries and parishes, as well as the ordination of dozens of priests to serve a rapidly growing Catholic population estimated at over 3.5 million faithful.
Church officials said the appointment reflects both his administrative experience and pastoral leadership in one of Africa’s largest and most complex urban dioceses.
He is expected to continue his duties in Lagos while participating in Vatican meetings, consultations, and decision-making processes as required.
The development has been described within church circles as a symbolic milestone, underscoring the growing influence of the African Church in shaping global Catholic direction.
