THE HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC LAITY
COUNCIL OF NIGERIA

The origin of the National Laity Council of Nigeria (NLCN) as the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) was formerly known can be traced to the origins of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (PCL) of the Roman Curia.

Following the creation of the World Laity Council, attention was directed to stimulating different parts of the world to become involved in the promotion of the lay apostolate at their respective regions and localities. The first initiative in this part of the world was focused on the intensification of the participation of the laity in the mission of the Church on the African continent. For a start, a Pan-African-Malagazy Laity Seminar was organized by the Secretariat of the Laity Council in Rome. The Seminar took place in Accra, Ghana, from 11 to 18 August, 1971.

The response in Nigeria towards the formal establishment of Laity organizations at parish, diocesan and national levels was spontaneous. A Preparatory Committee set up with representatives invited from all the dioceses in Nigeria to plan the inauguration of the National Laity Council of Nigeria (NLCN), held meetings during 1972 on June 30, November 17 and 18. A sub-committee of the Preparatory Committee mandated to put finishing touches to the inauguration arrangements met on February 9 and March 8, 1973. The members of the sub-committee were Professor Gabriel Afolabi Ojo (convener), the late Mr. Raymond A. Njoku, Mr. J. A. Adebambo, Mr. J. O. Olofinkua and Mrs. V. O. Kufo. The Rt. Rev. A. S. Sanusi who was the Secretary of the National Episcopal Conference of Nigeria piloted the Preparatory Committee.

The Inaugural Conference/General Meeting took place from 15th to 17th March, 1973. The formal inauguration took place on March 16, 1973 at the Holy Cross Cathedral at a solemn Mass which began at 5:30p.m. and which concelebrated by His Grace Archbishop Francis Arinze and twenty-eight bishops.

Election took place at the meeting and Mr. Raymond A. Njoku was elected the first National President with Prof. Gabriel J. A. Ojo was elected National Secretary. Rt. Rev. Gabriel G. Ganaka, the then Bishop of Jos was appointed as the first Chaplain on July 30, 1973.

The National Laity Sunday which began in 1975 was later expanded to a National Laity Week taking into consideration the Sunday closest to March 16 yearly.

Since inception, the National Presidents of the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria are:

1. Late Raymond A. Njoku (1973 – 1977)

2. Late Sir Adolphus U. D. Mbah (1977 – 1984)

3. Late Sir Prof. Gabriel Afolabi Ojo, KSG (1984 – 1990)

4. Late Sir David D. Dodo (1990 – 1993)

5. Sir Patrick M. Dokotri (1993 – 1996)

6. Sir (Hon.) Tony Uko-Akpulu, KSG, KSM (1996 – 2002)

7. Late Sir John Uwa Iredia, KSM (2002 – 2006)

8. Sir Clement Adeola Ayoola, KSG (2007 – 2009)

9. Sir John Woje Baju, KSG, KSM (2009 – 2014)

10. Barr. Chizoba Charles Nnagboh, KSM (2014 – 2017)

11. Thomas Folu Adekoya, (2017 – 2021)

12. Hon. Sir Henry Hoomlong Yunkwap, KSJI, JP (2021 till Date)