The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is an umbrella organisation containing numerous Christian denominations in Nigeria.
History The Christian Association of Nigeria was founded in 1976, and originally only contained the Catholic Church and mainline Protestant groups. However, it later expanded to include Pentecostal churches as well.
In 2000, the CAN protested the adoption of Sharia law in northern states. In February 2006, while President of the organisation, Akinola issued a statement in response to Muslim violence against Christians, telling Muslims that they did not have a "monopoly on violence". The following day, Christians rioted in retaliation against Muslims, leading to more than 70 deaths. Akinola later claimed his statements had been misinterpreted in the western media. He even threatened to resign in case the riots should continue.Reactions to violence in Nigeria: Archbishop Peter Akinola explains, Christianity Today
On 2 May 2004, more than 630 Christians were killed in Yelwa, Nigeria. The dead were pinned white name tags identifying them as members of the CAN.Eyewitness: Nigeria's 'town of death' The massacre is known as the Yelwa massacre.
Organisation The organisation is made up of five blocs; they are the Christian Council of Nigeria, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Organisation of African Instituted Churches and the Evangelical Church Winning All/Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria.
The CAN has Women and Youth Wings, a National Executive Council consisting of 105 members (which elects the President), and a General Assembly of 304 members (which ratifies the President's election).
Leadership In 2016, Supo Ayokunle, President (and Chief Executive Officer) of The Nigerian Baptist Convention, was elected as president and Prof. Joseph Otubu, of the Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Movement, the Vice President.
Ayokunle was re-elected for second term and inaugurated in July 2019 alongside his Vice President Rev Dr. Caleb Ahima. In July 2022, Daniel Okoh was elected as the present president of the association
Order Term of Office Tenure Served Name Place of Birth Denomination Notes1November 1988 - November 19952 re-elected 1992Anthony Cardinal OkogieLagos, NigeriaRoman CatholicArchbishop of Lagos2November 1995 - November 20032 re-elected 1999Sunday MbangAkwa Ibom, NigeriaMethodistPrelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria3November 2003 - June 20071 Peter AkinolaOgun, NigeriaAnglicanPrimate, Anglican Church of Nigeria4June 2007 - July 20101 Archbishop John OnaiyekanKabba, NigeriaRoman CatholicArchbishop of Abuja5July 2010 - July 20162 re-elected 2013Ayo OritsejaforWarri, NigeriaPentecostal Pastor, Word of Life Bible Church6July 2016 – July 20222 re-electedSupo AyokunleOyo, NigeriaBaptistPresident, Nigerian Baptist Convention7July 2022 - till dateIncumbentDaniel OkohKano, NigeriaPentecostalGeneral Supretendent, Christ Holy Church International
See also Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria
References
External links Christian Association of Nigeria Website Statement by CAN President-In-Council condemning call to jihad