The Historical Development Of The Vincentian Apostolate In Nigeria

The Vincentians first came to Nigeria in 1960, the year Nigeria gained its independence from Britain. The Vincentians were invited by Bishop James Moynagh, the then bishop of Calabar in Nigeria.

The invitation was providential, as they were charged with a new mission into the country where the newly gained freedom needed the direction of the gospel.

The Three Pioneer Confreres
At their arrival from Ireland, the three pioneer confreres, Frs. Frank Mullan, C.M., Patrick Hughes, C.M. and Henry Morin, C.M., were assigned to St. Vincent’s Parish, Ikot Obong Edong, Ikot Ekpene (newly created then from Ifuho Parish). The bishop also requested their availability for Retreats and Parish missions within the Diocese and its neighbourhood. They initiated chaplaincies in the prisons, schools and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Frs. Sean Johnston, C.M., Kevin Scallon, C.M., Denis Corkery, C.M., Harry Smyth, C.M., Roderic Crowley, C.M., and Tom Divine, C.M. later joined the team. Up to the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war in 1966, the only Vincentian base in Nigeria was at St. Vincent de Paul Parish.

1970 – 1978
From 1970, the Vincentians extended their mission to other parts of Nigeria. They were involved in the development of Port Harcourt Diocese (1970-1975), Makurdi (1971), Bigard Memorial Seminary [both Enugu (1975) and Ikot Ekpene (1976)].
In 1973, Fr. Timothy Njoku, C.M. was ordained the first Nigerian Vincentian priest. In 1974, the opening of a Vincentian Novitiate in Ogobia, Benue State saw the beginning of the formation of indigenous Vincentians: Frs. Michael Edem, C.M. and Richard Diala, C.M. were members of the pioneer novices.

By 1978, Frs. Kevin O’Shea, C.M., T. Njoku, C.M., and Anthony Njoku, C.M. were invited to work in Oraifite by the then Archbishop Francis Arinze of Onitsha (now Cardinal).     

1982 – 1989
The opening of a new Vincentian Community House at Abiakpo Ntak Inyang in Ikot Ekpene Diocese on November 27th, 1982, was yet another landmark. Seven years later (i.e. 1989), with Fr. Paul Roche, C.M. as the Regional Superior, the De Paul House was opened at Maryland in Enugu.

1990 – 1998
In 1990, Archbishop Anthony Okogie (now Cardinal) invited the Vincentians to Lagos Archdiocese. They were to run the St. Leo’s Parish, Ikeja. In 1995, they took up mission in Christ the King Catholic Church, Akowonjo. Fr. Tim Njoku, C.M. was appointed the first indigenous Regional Superior of the Nigerian Region in 1994. He served for the next four years.

The Vincentians honoured other invitations from Idah diocese in Kogi state, Eruku in Illorin diocese, Abuja Archdiocese (1995), etc.