The Catholic Church has taken a significant step to ensure continuity in the leadership of the Archdiocese of Benin City following the death of Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze, with Pope Leo XIV appointing the Catholic Bishop of Uromi Diocese, Most Rev. Donatus Aihmiosion Ogun, O.S.A., as Apostolic Administrator.
The appointment, announced by the Holy See and communicated in an official circular dated July 10, 2026, empowers Bishop Ogun to oversee the affairs of the Archdiocese until a substantive Archbishop is appointed and installed.
The development comes days after the passing of Archbishop Akubeze, whose death drew tributes from the Catholic faithful, religious leaders and public officials across Nigeria in recognition of his decades of pastoral service and contributions to evangelisation.
In the official announcement, the Holy See stated that Bishop Ogun would assume responsibility for the pastoral and administrative governance of the Archdiocese during the transition period, ensuring the continued mission and stability of the local Church.
Bishop Donatus Ogun is no stranger to the Benin ecclesiastical province. Before his appointment as Bishop of Uromi by Pope Francis in 2014, he served for many years within the Order of Saint Augustine.
He was consecrated bishop in January 2015 by Archbishop Augustine Akubeze, who had earlier served as the pioneer Bishop of Uromi before his elevation to Archbishop of Benin City.
As Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Ogun is expected to guide the Archdiocese through its period of mourning while providing pastoral leadership, overseeing administrative affairs and preparing the local Church for the eventual installation of a new Metropolitan Archbishop.
The appointment has been welcomed by members of the Catholic community, who view it as a reassuring step towards preserving the stability and continuity of the Archdiocese following the loss of Archbishop Akubeze.
