Ethan Walker
Nigeria is one of the most religious countries in the world, with over 54% of its population identifying as Christian and 45% identifying as Muslim. The Catholic Church in Nigeria is composed of 9 Latin rite ecclesiastical provinces, each under a Metropolitan Archbishop, with a total of 44 suffragan dioceses. The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi in Benue State, for example, reported that up to 200 Christians were killed by Islamic extremists in an overnight massacre. With more than two million Catholics, Benue State has one of the largest concentrations of Catholics in Nigeria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic Dioceses in Benue State | 1 (Diocese of Makurdi) |
| Number of Catholics in Benue State | More than 2 million |
| Catholic Mass Attendance in Nigeria | 94% attend Mass at least weekly |
| Catholic Mass Attendance in the US | 17% attend Mass at least weekly |
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What You'll Learn
- Benue State has over two million Catholics
- The Catholic Church has a tight grip on Benue State's society and politics
- Catholic priests have been elected as governors of Benue State
- The Diocese of Makurdi estimated a death toll of 200 Christians in an extremist attack
- Catholic charity reported that this was the single worst atrocity in the region
Benue State has over two million Catholics
Nigeria is one of the most religious countries in the world, with 54.2% of its population identifying as Christian and 45.5% as Muslim, according to a 2022 Afrobarometer study. The population of Nigerian Catholics is estimated to be between 25 million and 30 million, and they are among the most active globally. Nigeria has the highest Catholic Mass attendance worldwide, with at least 94% of Nigerian Catholics attending Mass at least weekly.
Benue State, in particular, has over two million Catholics and is one of the largest concentrations of Catholics in Nigeria. The Catholic Church has deep-seated roots in Nigeria's politics, especially in Benue State, which is Christian-dominated. The influence of the Catholic Church in Benue State is evident in the 2022 election, where the electoral competition between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) turned into an "all-Catholic affair". The APC selected Father Hyacinth Alia, a Catholic priest, as its governorship candidate. In response, the PDP chose a Catholic knight, Titus Uba, as its candidate.
The Catholic Church's tight grip on Benue State's society and politics can be attributed to the trust that the priests have cultivated among the people, resulting in large followings. This dynamic was highlighted by Reverend Father Jude Mary, who noted that politicians seek the support of priests to gain the backing of their followers. The influence of the Catholic Church in Benue State extends beyond politics, as evidenced by the high attendance rates at Catholic Mass and the significant presence of Catholics in the state.
The Diocese of Makurdi, within Benue State, plays a crucial role in serving and protecting the local Catholic community. In 2025, the Diocese's Foundation for Justice, Development, and Peace reported a massacre of up to 200 Christians by Islamic extremists in the state. This tragic incident was acknowledged by Pope Leo XIV, who offered prayers for those killed and affected by the violence. The Diocese of Makurdi actively works to promote justice, development, and peace within Benue State, providing support and shelter to those impacted by religious conflicts.
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The Catholic Church has a tight grip on Benue State's society and politics
The Catholic Church has a strong influence on the society and politics of Benue State, Nigeria. With an estimated population of between 25 and 30 million Nigerian Catholics, the Church's influence on politics is significant, particularly in Benue State, which has one of the largest concentrations of Catholics in the country. According to Joe Abuku, a political strategist and native of Benue State, the Catholic Church has a "commanding lead" in the state. This influence was evident in the 2022 Benue State gubernatorial election, where both major parties selected Catholic candidates.
The Catholic Church's role in Nigerian politics is deeply entrenched, with priests holding considerable sway over their large congregations. This influence is particularly notable in regions like Benue State, where religious leaders can make or break elections. In the 2022 Benue State gubernatorial race, Father Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious. Alia's victory was attributed to his existing popularity, as evidenced by the presence of his branded holy water in many Benue homes.
However, this is not an isolated incident. In 1992, Father Moses Adasu was elected governor of Benue State, demonstrating the enduring influence of the Catholic Church in the region. The Church's influence extends beyond Benue State, as evidenced by the actions of influential priests like Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka in Enugu State. Mbaka has a history of indicating to his followers whom to vote for, and politicians, including Muslims, attend his events to seek his support.
The Catholic Church's tight grip on Benue State's society and politics is further illustrated by the high levels of religious observance among Catholics in Nigeria. According to a 2023 survey by the Centre for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), Nigeria has the highest Catholic Mass attendance in the world. At least 94% of Nigerian Catholics attend Mass weekly, compared to 17% in the US. This strong religious commitment provides a platform for the Church's influence in politics, as politicians seek the support of religious leaders with large followings.
While the Catholic Church exerts considerable influence in Benue State, it is important to note that the state is also home to other Christian denominations and a significant Muslim population. Communal attacks and religious tensions between Christians and Muslims have plagued the state, with Islamic extremists carrying out massacres of Christians in recent years. Despite these challenges, the Catholic Church continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the societal and political landscape of Benue State, Nigeria.
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Catholic priests have been elected as governors of Benue State
The Catholic Church has a strong influence on Nigerian society and politics, particularly in Benue State, which has one of the country's largest Catholic populations. In 2023, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, a Catholic priest, was elected governor of Benue State, becoming the second priest to hold this position.
Fr. Alia was born in Mbangur, Mbadede, in the Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1990 and began his political career in 2022 when he was selected as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the state's gubernatorial election. This prompted the ruling party in Benue State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to also select a Catholic candidate, Titus Uba, making the election an all-Catholic affair.
Fr. Alia's campaign highlighted his identity as a Catholic priest, and he was described as a "renowned Catholic priest, humanitarian, innovator, seasoned administrator, and social crusader." He was sworn in as governor on May 29, 2023, for a four-year term. In his inaugural speech in Makurdi, the state capital, he promised to improve security in the state.
Fr. Alia is not the first Catholic priest to be elected governor of Benue State. In January 1992, Father Moses Adasu was elected governor. The influence of the Catholic Church in Nigerian politics extends beyond Benue State. For example, in Enugu State, the incoming governor and deputy governor in 2015 were both Catholics, and Catholic priests often endorse politicians to boost their chances of victory.
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The Diocese of Makurdi estimated a death toll of 200 Christians in an extremist attack
Benue State in Nigeria has a large concentration of Catholics. The state is in Nigeria's Middle Belt, which is home to one of the largest Catholic populations in the country. The Catholic Church has a strong influence on Nigerian society and politics.
On Friday, June 16, 2025, Islamic extremists launched an attack in Benue State, killing up to 200 Christians. The attack took place in the Guma Local Government Area of Makurdi's Gwer West Local Government Area, specifically in the market square of Yelewata. The militants targeted families displaced by radicalized Fulani herdsmen who were housed in buildings that had been repurposed as temporary accommodations. The buildings were torched while people were sleeping, and those who tried to escape were attacked with machetes. Local pastors reported that police had earlier prevented attackers from swarming St. Joseph's Church, which was sheltering over 700 internally displaced persons.
The Diocese of Makurdi's Foundation for Justice, Development, and Peace estimated a death toll of 200. This figure was higher than the initial estimate of nearly 100 deaths reported by Amnesty International Nigeria. The attack was described as the "single worst atrocity" in a region that has seen a sudden increase in attacks and signs of a concerted militant effort to force an entire community to flee.
Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the attack during his Sunday Angelus message, expressing his prayers for those killed and for the "rural Christian communities of Benue State who have been relentless victims of violence." He described the massacre as one in which "some 200 people were murdered with extraordinary cruelty." Advocates have long called for global attention to what they describe as genocide-like attacks on predominantly Christian farming communities in Nigeria's Middle Belt states.
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Catholic charity reported that this was the single worst atrocity in the region
Benue State, Nigeria, has a significant Catholic presence, with over two million Catholics, one of the largest concentrations in the country. The Catholic Church has a strong influence on the region's politics and society. This influence has been leveraged by political parties to gain support, as seen in the 2022 election when both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chose Catholic candidates for the governorship race.
In June 2025, a Catholic charity reported a horrific incident in Benue State, describing it as the "single worst atrocity" in the region. Islamic extremists launched a deadly attack on displaced Christian families in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, killing up to 200 people. The militants set fire to buildings and used machetes to attack those trying to escape. The victims were housed in temporary accommodations in the market square after being displaced by radicalized Fulani herdsmen.
Local pastors and clergy recounted that police had earlier prevented the attackers from entering St. Joseph's Church, which was sheltering over 700 internally displaced persons (IDPs). However, the militants then targeted the nearby market square, torching the doors of the displaced people's accommodations and opening fire. The death toll from this massacre made it the worst single atrocity in a region already plagued by communal attacks and increasing militant assaults aimed at forcing communities to leave.
The attack in Yelewata was part of a broader pattern of violence targeting Christians in Benue State. Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the tragedy, praying for those killed and for peace and security in the region. He specifically mentioned the "rural Christian communities of Benue State" who had been relentless victims of violence. Church leaders and charities worked to assist those displaced by the attacks, providing refuge and support.
The incident highlighted the ongoing persecution faced by Nigerian Catholics, yet their faith and religious practices remained resilient. Despite the dangers, the Catholic Church in Nigeria continued to grow, with high Mass attendance and an increasing number of confirmations.
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