Diocese of Lafia

Dioecesis Lafiensis

Bishop(s)

David Ajang, Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 5 December 2000
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Abuja
Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelization
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Nigeria
Square Kilometers: 28,000 (10,815 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Catholic Diocese, P.O. Box 84, Shendam Road, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Telephone: (0803)32.23.992

Past and Present Ordinaries

Matthew Ishaya Audu (5 Dec 2000 Appointed - 6 Jan 2020 Appointed, Archbishop of Jos)
David Ajang (31 Mar 2021 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
5 December 2000	Erected	Archdiocese of Jos (Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon, and Wamba) Diocese of Makurdi (Nasarawa along with Karu, Keffi, Lafia, Obi, Awe, Doma, Nasarawa, Toto, Keana, and Kokana)	Diocese of Lafia (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

2000 72,000 1,510,000 4.8% 19 8 27 2,666 8 21 13 ap2001

2001 175,671 1,558,250 11.3% 17 4 21 8,365 4 19 14 ap2002

2002 182,997 1,598,230 11.4% 23 7 30 6,099 7 20 14 ap2003

2003 187,084 1,869,564 10.0% 24 7 31 6,034 7 19 15 ap2004

2004 189,686 1,867,241 10.2% 26 8 34 5,579 8 20 15 ap2005

2013 226,576 2,315,552 9.8% 40 16 56 4,046 16 54 17 ap2014

2016 252,511 2,437,151 10.4% 49 26 75 3,366 27 76 14 ap2017

2019 265,561 2,556,410 10.4% 62 19 81 3,278 19 70 15 ap2020

2021 296,087 2,665,771 11.1% 69 21 90 3,289 21 85 15 ap2022

2023 330,135 2,886,000 11.4% 75 16 91 3,627 16 88 23 ap2024

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
2000	72,000	1,510,000	4.8%	19	8	27	2,666	8	21	13	ap2001
2001	175,671	1,558,250	11.3%	17	4	21	8,365	4	19	14	ap2002
2002	182,997	1,598,230	11.4%	23	7	30	6,099	7	20	14	ap2003
2003	187,084	1,869,564	10.0%	24	7	31	6,034	7	19	15	ap2004
2004	189,686	1,867,241	10.2%	26	8	34	5,579	8	20	15	ap2005
2013	226,576	2,315,552	9.8%	40	16	56	4,046	16	54	17	ap2014
2016	252,511	2,437,151	10.4%	49	26	75	3,366	27	76	14	ap2017
2019	265,561	2,556,410	10.4%	62	19	81	3,278	19	70	15	ap2020
2021	296,087	2,665,771	11.1%	69	21	90	3,289	21	85	15	ap2022
2023	330,135	2,886,000	11.4%	75	16	91	3,627	16	88	23	ap2024