History

• 1934.07.09: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Benue (from Apostolic Vicariate of Western Nigeria)
• 1950.04.18: Renamed as Apostolic Prefecture of Oturkpo / Oturkpœn(sis) (Latin)
• 1950.07.14: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Yola
• 1955.02.21: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Kabba
• 1959.04.02: Promoted as Diocese of Oturkpo / Oturkpœn(sis) (Latin)
• 1960.06.28: Renamed as Diocese of Makurdi / Makurden(sis) (Latin)
• 1995.07.10: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Otukpo
• 2000.12.05: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Lafia
• 2012.12.29: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Gboko and Diocese of Katsina-Ala

Special Churches

• Cathedral: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral, Makurdi, Benue

Present Prelates Bishop (1989.06.02 – ...): Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh (75) Coadjutor Bishop (2014.07.08 – ...): Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, C.M.F. (49) Ordinaries Bishops of Makurdi (Roman Rite) Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh (75) (1989.06.02 – ...) Bishop of Makurdi (Nigeria) Lord I am not worthy Born: 1940 (Nigeria) Ordained Priest: 1971.12.19 Consecrated Bishop: 1988.01.06 Coadjutor Bishop of Makurdi (Nigeria) (1987.11.18 – 1989.06.02) Bishop of Makurdi (Nigeria) (1989.06.02 – ...) Bishop Donal Joseph Murray, C.S.Sp. (1968.01.11 – 1989.06.02) Born: 1918.02.11 (Ireland) Ordained Priest: 1946.04.07 Consecrated Bishop: 1968.03.29 Died: 1999.08.14 († 81) Bishop of Makurdi (Nigeria) (1968.01.11 – 1989.06.02) Bishop James Hagan, C.S.Sp. (1960.03.08 – 1966.03.29) Born: 1904.03.23 (United Kingdom) Ordained Priest: 1928.10.28 Consecrated Bishop: 1960.05.08 Died: 1976.12.12 († 72) Bishop of Oturkpo (Nigeria) (1948.03.20 – 1960.03.08) Bishop of Makurdi (Nigeria) (1960.03.08 – 1966.03.29) Titular Bishop of Horrea Cœlia (1966.03.29 – 1970.12.07) Bishops of Oturkpo (Roman Rite) Bishop-elect James Hagan, C.S.Sp. (1948.03.20 – 1960.03.08) (see above) Prefects Apostolic of Benue (Roman Rite) Fr. Giuseppe Kirsten, C.S.Sp. (1937.02.26 – 1947) Died: 1947 Prefect Apostolic of Benue (Nigeria) (1937.02.26 – 1947)

Former Prelates

• Coadjutor Bishop:  Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh (75) (1987.11.18 – 1989.06.02)
• Auxiliary Bishop:  Bishop William Amove Avenya (59) (2008.11.28 – 2012.12.29)

as of 2015.01.20

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