About the Anglican Diocese of Zaria

Who We Are

The Anglican Diocese of Zaria is a dynamic and mission-oriented diocese within the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), one of the largest Anglican provinces in the world and an integral part of the global Anglican Communion.

Headquartered in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, the Diocese serves as a center for Anglican worship, mission, discipleship, and community engagement across the region. As a member of the Anglican Province of Kaduna, the Diocese shares in the broader mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, nurture believers in the faith, and contribute to the moral and spiritual transformation of society.

The Diocese exists to cultivate a vibrant Christian community rooted in biblical teaching, sacramental worship, and active service to humanity.

Historical Background

Anglican presence in the Zaria region traces back to the early missionary activities of the Anglican Church in Northern Nigeria during the twentieth century. Missionaries, clergy, and early Christian converts established congregations and educational initiatives that laid the foundations for the growth of Anglican Christianity in the area.

With the steady growth of congregations and mission stations, the need arose for a new diocesan structure to strengthen pastoral oversight and missionary expansion.

The Anglican Diocese of Zaria was therefore officially inaugurated on 7 March 2007, having been created out of the Anglican Diocese of Kaduna. At its establishment, the Diocese became the 99th Diocese of the Church of Nigeria.

Since its creation, the Diocese has continued to grow through evangelism, church planting, discipleship programs, and strong community engagement.

Episcopal Leadership

Pioneer Bishop

The first Bishop of the Diocese was Cornelius S. S. Bello, who provided visionary leadership during the formative years of the Diocese. Under his episcopacy, the foundational structures of diocesan administration were established, archdeaconries were organized, mission stations expanded, and parish communities strengthened.

His tenure helped consolidate Anglican ministry within the region and laid a strong institutional foundation for the Diocese.

Second Bishop

Following the pioneer episcopacy, Abiodun Ogunyemi served as the Bishop of Zaria. His leadership was marked by sustained missionary expansion, strengthening of parish ministries, and further development of diocesan programs.

He was later translated to serve as the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ekiti-Kwara, where he continues his episcopal ministry within the Church of Nigeria.

The Present Bishop

The Diocese is currently led by The Rt. Rev’d Ishaya G. Baba, who was consecrated as the Bishop of Zaria on April 3, 2022.

Since his consecration, Bishop Baba has provided spiritual oversight and pastoral leadership for the Diocese, focusing on strengthening the spiritual life of the Church, expanding evangelistic outreach, empowering clergy and lay leaders, and deepening the Diocese’s engagement with the wider community.

Bishop’s Pastoral Vision

The pastoral vision of Bishop Ishaya G. Baba centers on building a spiritually vibrant, mission-focused Diocese that faithfully proclaims the Gospel of Christ and positively transforms communities.

His episcopal priorities include:

Deepening biblical teaching and discipleship across all parishes
Strengthening clergy formation and leadership development
Expanding evangelism and church planting initiatives
Encouraging youth participation and leadership within the Church
Promoting peace, unity, and social responsibility within the wider community

Through this vision, the Diocese seeks to grow not only in numbers but also in spiritual depth and Christian witness.

Our Vision

To be a spiritually vibrant and mission-driven Anglican Diocese committed to raising faithful disciples of Christ and transforming communities through the power of the Gospel.

Our Mission

The mission of the Diocese is to:

Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully and courageously.
Equip believers for Christian discipleship and leadership.
Expand missionary outreach through evangelism and church planting.
Provide pastoral care and spiritual nurture for all members.
Promote Christian education and leadership development.
Contribute to social transformation through faith-based community engagement.

Core Values of the Diocese

The ministry and life of the Anglican Diocese of Zaria are guided by the following core values:

Biblical Faithfulness

Commitment to the authority of the Holy Scriptures as the foundation for Christian faith and practice.

Christ-Centered Worship

Maintaining the rich liturgical heritage of the Anglican tradition while fostering meaningful worship experiences.

Evangelism and Mission

Sharing the Gospel actively through evangelistic outreach and church planting.

Integrity and Accountability

Promoting ethical leadership, transparency, and responsible stewardship in all diocesan activities.

Service and Compassion

Demonstrating Christ’s love through practical service to individuals and communities.

Unity in Diversity

Encouraging harmonious relationships among believers and promoting peaceful coexistence within the broader society.

Geographical Coverage

The Diocese is headquartered in Zaria, a historic city in Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria.

Its ministry extends across several communities and surrounding areas within the region. Through its parishes, mission stations, and outreach initiatives, the Diocese serves both urban and rural populations, bringing the message of Christ to diverse communities.

Structure of the Diocese

The Diocese operates through a structured system of ecclesiastical administration designed to ensure effective pastoral oversight and mission coordination.

The structure includes:

Archdeaconries

Regional administrative units led by Archdeacons who assist the Bishop in supervising clergy and parishes.

Deaneries

Groups of parishes organized for coordination of pastoral activities and leadership collaboration.

Parishes and Mission Stations

Local congregations where worship, discipleship, fellowship, and community service take place.

Diocesan Ministries and Organizations

The Diocese supports a wide range of ministries that serve different segments of the Church community.

These include:

Anglican Men’s Fellowship
Women’s Guild
Youth and Students’ Fellowship
Children’s Ministry
Choir and Music Ministry
Evangelism and Mission Departments

These ministries help nurture spiritual growth, leadership development, and active participation in church life.

Strategic Mission Priorities

In order to strengthen its impact and ensure sustainable growth, the Diocese focuses on several strategic priorities:

Evangelism and Church Growth

Establishing new congregations and expanding mission stations in underserved communities.

Discipleship and Spiritual Formation

Strengthening Bible teaching, theological education, and leadership training programs.

Youth Development

Investing in youth mentorship, leadership training, and educational support programs.

Clergy and Lay Leadership Development

Providing training opportunities that enhance effective ministry and administration.

Community Transformation

Engaging in initiatives that promote education, social welfare, peace-building, and community development.

Diocesan Governance

The Diocese is governed through collaborative leadership involving clergy and laity.

The Diocesan Synod serves as the highest deliberative body within the Diocese. It brings together representatives from across the Diocese to discuss and make decisions on matters relating to doctrine, mission strategy, administration, and development.

This structure reflects the Anglican tradition of shared leadership and collective responsibility in advancing the mission of the Church.

Diocesan Coat of Arms

The Diocesan Coat of Arms represents the identity, heritage, and mission of the Anglican Diocese of Zaria.

While the specific symbols may vary in their interpretation, Anglican diocesan coats of arms typically incorporate:

The Cross, representing the centrality of Christ and the message of salvation.
Local cultural or geographical symbols, reflecting the heritage and context of the Diocese.
Liturgical or ecclesiastical elements, symbolizing the Anglican tradition and apostolic ministry.

Together, these elements represent the Diocese’s commitment to faith, mission, and service.

Our Commitment

The Anglican Diocese of Zaria remains committed to nurturing faithful disciples of Christ, strengthening Anglican identity, and contributing positively to the spiritual and social life of the communities it serves.

Through worship, teaching, evangelism, and compassionate service, the Diocese continues to advance the mission of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.

About Us