Christian Council of Nigeria

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) is the pioneer ecumenical body in Nigeria that serves as a fellowship of churches committed to promoting Christian unity, social justice, and upholding Christian values. It is one of the five blocs that constitute the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

History The Christian Council of Nigeria traces its origins to November 1929, when a small group of missionaries in southern Nigeria held an informal meeting in Ibadan to discuss the implications of a new Educational law that sought to separate religion from education. This gathering involved representatives from mainland Protestant churches.

The success of their collaborative efforts in education encouraged the missionaries to formalise their association. In March 1930, a meeting was held in Lagos where a constitution was adopted, and the organisation was officially named the Christian Council of Nigeria. Early efforts were made to include the Roman Catholic Church, but it did not join, viewing the CCN as a Protestant initiative.

For the first dozen years, leadership was primarily in the hands of missionaries. Over time, the CCN evolved from focusing mainly on educational issues to addressing broader matters affecting the lives of Nigerians, including social justice, peace, and national development. It has since become the central ecumenical body for traditional Protestant and many African-initiated churches in Nigeria.

The CCN is affiliated with the World Council of Churches.

Activities The CCN engages in advocacy for peace, equity, and social justice. It organises seminars, workshops, and empowerment programmes, establishes peace centres, and collaborates with other religious groups and government bodies on issues of national concern, including responses to violence and insecurity affecting Christian communities.

It also maintains specialised wings for women and youth.

Membership CCN comprises various Protestant, mainline, and African-initiated churches. Member churches include:

Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Methodist Church Nigeria Nigerian Baptist Convention Presbyterian Church of Nigeria The African Church United Evangelical Church (formerly Qua Iboe Church) The Salvation Army Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria The Church of the Lord (Aladura) African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church And others

It does not include the Catholic Church or most Pentecostal churches, which belong to other blocs in CAN.

Structure and governance The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) comprises national, state and local government levels, each with its own leadership.

At the national level, CCN is headed by the National Executive Council and the Governing Board. The National Executive Council consists of the President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, and legal adviser.

CCN Governing Board comprises representatives from member churches and organisations. They have a regular tri-annual General Assembly.

The state chapters are led by a chairman and composed of appointed and elected officers, such as the state directors and local government chairmen within the state. CCN also has a women and youth wing.

Leadership The leadership of the Christian Council of Nigeria consists of a President, Vice President, General Secretary and other officers elected or appointed from among its member churches. According to the latest available information, the president is Most Rev. Dr David O. Chikezie Onuoha, and the general secretary is Rt. Rev. M. Evans Onyemara, Ph.D., of the Methodist Church of Nigeria.

Past General Secretaries + # Name Denomination Years 1 The Rev. Theophilus A. Adejumobi Nigerian Baptist Convention 1962 – 1967 2 Rt. Rev. John I. A. Falope Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1967 – 1970 3 Mr. Charles Obasola Olawale Williams Methodist Church Nigeria 1970 – 1999 4 Most Rev. Ubon Bassey Usung Presbyterian Church of Nigeria 1999 – 2004 5 Rev. Barr. Ikechukwu Okorie Presbyterian Church of Nigeria 2004 – 2007 6 Rev. Barr. Obafemi Ogbe (Acting) Church of the Lord (Aladura) 2007 – 2010 7 Rev. (Dr.) Yusuf Ibrahim Wushishi Nigerian Baptist Convention 2010 – 2019 8 Very Rev. M. Evans Onyemara Ph.D. Methodist Church Nigeria 2019 – Till Date

Past Presidents + # Name Denomination Years 1 Rev’d N.O. Dada, O.B.F. Methodist Church Nigeria 1951 – 1953 2 Rt. Rev’d S.O. Odutola, O.B.E., M.A., Dip. Th., D.D. Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1958 – 1960 3 Dr. G.R. Ademola, M.B., B.S.D.P.H. Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1960 – 1962 4 Sir. Louis Mbanefo, M.A., Lln Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1964 – 1970 5 Chief S.J. Mariere Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Dec 1970 – May 1971 6 Rev’d Dr. E.A. Dahunsi, B.Sc., B.D. Th.D. Nigerian Baptist Convention 1971 – 1973 7 Rt. Rev’d F.O. Segun Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1973 – 1976 8 Elder N.U. Akpan O.F.R. Presbyterian Church of Nigeria 1976 – 1979 9 Hon. Justice J.A. Adefarasin Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1979 – 1982 10 Hon. Mr. Justice J.H. Danduara Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1982 – 1985 11 Barr. F.O. Ihenacho C.F.R., C.M.G., M.A. Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1985 – 1987 12 Chief Ade Akomolafe, B.A., Dip. Ed, J.P. (Acting President) Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1987 – 1989 13 Chief Ade Akomolafe, B.A., Dip. Ed, J.P. (President) Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1991 – 1992 14 Rev’d Luther D. Cishak, B.A. COCIN 1992 – 1996 15 Rt. Rev’d C.C. Anyanwu M.A. Dip. Th., D.R.S. Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1996 – 1998 16 Rev’d Dr. S.A. Faleye M.A. Ph.D. Nigerian Baptist Convention 1998 – 2001 17 Most Rev’d Dr. Josiah Idowu Fearon Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2001 – 2004 18 Most Rev’d Dr. Rogers Uwadi Methodist Church Nigeria 2004 – 2010 19 The Most Rev’d Emmanuel J. Udofia The African Church of Nigeria 2010 – 2016 20 Most Rev. Dr. Benebo Fubara Fubara Manuel Presbyterian Church of Nigeria 2016 – 2022

Relationship with Christian Association of Nigeria The CCN forms the mainline Protestant bloc within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), founded in 1976. The other blocs are the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, and the Evangelical Church Winning All / Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria.

Christian Council of Nigeria

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