Nigerian experience
The missionaries of the Congregation of the Mission first came to Nigeria on 1st November, 1960, from the Irish Province, the year Nigeria gained her independence from Britain. These Vincentian missionaries were invited by Bishop James Moynagh, the then Bishop of Calabar, 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.

Three Pioneer Confreres
At their arrival from Ireland, the three pioneer confreres, Frs. Frank Mullan, CM, Patrick Hughes, CM and Henry Morin, CM, 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, CM, Kevin Scallon, CM, Denis Corkery, CM, Harry Smyth, C.M., Roderick Crowley, CM, and Tom Divine, CM 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, Ikot Obong Edong, Ikot Ekpene.
The impact of the civil war on the mission cannot be easily forgotten. Nevertheless, at such critical moment when all hope seemed to be lost due to the devastating effect of the Nigeria-Biafra war, the Vincentians responded to urgent needs by rendering assistance in some parishes at Uzoagba and Atta in Owerri Archdiocese. At the end of the war, three confreres were later deported. Though this handicapped the mission, it never exhausted it.
From 1970, the Vincentians extended their mission to other parts of Nigeria. We were involved in the development of Port Harcourt Diocese (1970-1975), Makurdi (1971), Bigard Memorial Seminary both in Enugu (1975) and Ikot Ekpene (1976). In 1973, Rev. Timothy Njoku, CM 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: Richard Diala, CM and Michael Edem, CM were members of the pioneer Novices. By 1978, Frs. Kevin O’Shea, CM, Timothy Njoku, CM, and Anthony Njoku, CM were invited to work in Oraifite by the then Archbishop Francis Arinze of Onitsha (now Cardinal).
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, CM as the Regional Superior, the St. Vincent De Paul House was opened at Maryland in Enugu.
In 1990, Archbishop Anthony Okogie (now Cardinal) invited the Vincentians to Lagos Archdiocese, they were to run the St. Leo’s Parish, Ikeja and in 1995, they took up mission in Christ the King Catholic Church, Akowonjo. Fr. Timothy Njoku, CM was appointed the first indigenous Regional Superior of the Nigerian Region in 1994. He served for the next three years. The Vincentians honoured other invitations from Idah Diocese in Kogi State, Eruku in Illorin Diocese, Abuja Archdiocese (1995), etc. On 1st September, 1997, Fr. Urban Osuji, CM succeeded Fr. Timothy as Regional Superior.

As a Province
In January 1st 1998, the Nigerian Region was raised to the status of a Vice-Province with Fr. Urban Osuji, CM as the first Vice-Provincial Superior. At exactly six years later, in January 2004, the baton of leadership was handed to Fr. Michael Ngoka, CM. Under his leadership, the Congregation rose to the status of a Province.
The following Irish confreres worked tirelessly to what is known today as the Vincentians, Province of Nigeria: Frs. Frank Mullan, P. Hughes, Henry Morin, S. Johnston, Kevin Scallon, Denis Corkery, Harris Symth, Roderic Crowley, Tom Divine, Bill Clarke, Murphy, P. Regan, and Richard McCullen. Others are Vincent O’Brien, Paul Roche, Myles Rearden, Kevin O’Shea, Brian Moore, Matthew Barry, James Cahalan, Eamon Raftery and Stan Brindley.
Apostolate

Parish apostolate
The Vincentians in Nigeria are involved in Parish apostolate and most of these parishes are located in the rural areas which offers us the opportunity of meeting the downtrodden whom St. Vincent referred to as ‘‘Our Lords and Masters’. Hence this zeal for souls has led us to serve in the following Dioceses and Archdioceses in Nigeria: Abeokuta, Uyo, Warri, Enugu, Nnewi, Ikot-Ekpene, Idah, Otukpo, Makurdi, Lagos, Abuja and Calabar, Ijebu-Ode, Orlu, Owerri, and Port Harcourt. Our confreres are now on mission in other countries such as United Kingdom, USA, Ireland, Chad, Ghana, Siera Leone, etc.

School apostolate
St. Vincent realized the great need for formation and education, and this he made one of the cardinal intentions of the Congregation. Hence, we have confreres trained to work in various levels of education such as Seminaries, secondary and tertiary institutions of learning, either as spiritual directors, lecturers, etc. We work in the following institutions:
Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu; St. Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot Ekpene; Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu; SS. Simon and Jude Minor Seminary, Kuje, Abuja; De Paul Secondary School, Oraifite, Anambra State; St. Molumba’s College, Ogbede, Enugu State; St. Mary’s College, Ondo Ugboju, Benue State; St. Bernadette, Ogobia Ugboju, Benue State; St. Kizito Secondary School, Utagba Uno, Delta State; St. Joseph Primary School, Abiakpo Nkak Inyang, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State; St. Vincent Schools, Shasha, Lagos State

Youth apostolate
We pay special attention to the youth in parishes where we work. The Vincentian Marian Youth (VMY) is one of the channels by which we evangelize and affect the youth’s life positively.

Prison apostolate
St. Vincent gave special consideration to prisoners and it is in line with that tradition that some of our confreres who are actively involved in prison ministry are serving as Chaplains in Lagos, Ikot Ekpene, Abuja and Calabar Prisons.

Retreat and Mission
This in fact was the main purpose of our being invited to Nigeria. Our confreres as well as our retreat team are readily available to preach retreats and mission whenever they are called upon.
The Vincentians today exist as a family of Priests, Brothers and Lay persons committed to keeping the missionary spirit of St. Vincent de Paul alive. This large Vincentian family include: Association of International Charity (AIC), Congregation of the Mission (CM), Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (DC), Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP), Religious of St. Vincent de Paul (RSV), Vincentian Marian Youth (VMY), Association of Miraculous Medal (AMM), Lay Vincentian Missionaries (MISEVI).
This year 2025, marks the 400-year anniversary of the existence of our Congregation in the world. The Spirit of the Lord was on Saint Vincent and fired him with zeal for service to the Poor. We continue to serve the Poor!