The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto

The ecclesiastical jurisdiction known as the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto covers three states — Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi — all located in the north-west of Nigeria. The headquarters of the diocese is at Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate.

Entrusted to the Dominican Friars in 1953, Sokoto became a Prefecture Apostolic in 1954 under Monsignor Edward Thaddeus Lawton, O.P., and was raised to the status of a diocese on 16 June 1964. Four bishops have since shepherded the diocese, the present being Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, installed on 8 September 2011.

Today the diocese is served by diocesan, Fidei Donum and religious priests, Dominican Sisters and Daughters of Divine Love, seminarians in six Nigerian seminaries, and over fifty trained catechists working in rural evangelisation. Its parishes, schools, clinics and the Justice, Development and Peace Commission serve all people, regardless of creed.