Northern Nigeria Union Conference Elects New Administration, Leaders Charged to Focus on Mission

Northern Nigeria Union Conference Elects New Administration, Leaders Charged to Focus on Mission
By Ezinwa Alozie
Communication Director, NNUC

The Northern Nigeria Union Conference (NNUC) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has elected a new administration to steer the gospel work and advance the mission of the Church in the region for the next five years.
The elections were conducted during the NNUC 4th Constituency Session, held at the Seventh-day Adventist Central Church, Abuja, from November 19–22, 2025 guided under the theme: Grounded in the Bible and Focused on the Mission.
Presided over by Pastor (Prof.) Bassey Udoh, President of the West-Central Africa Division (WAD), alongside the WAD Executive Secretary and Treasurer, Pastor Vincent Roger Same and Pastor Dickson Sarfo Marfo, the session elected Pastor Istifanus Ishaya as President of the Northern Nigeria Union Conference. Pastor Hannaniya Bayawa emerged as Executive Secretary, while Pastor Abed Chidawa was elected Treasurer and Financial Advisor.

Officiating leaders during the consecration service

L-R NNUC Executive Secretary, President and Treasurer with their spouses during the dedicatory prayers

In a historic development, the Union elected Stella Uchegbue and Danjuma Ibrahim as Associate Secretaries, marking the first time such appointments are being made. While Uche Luka-Samson was elected Associate Treasurer.
The following individuals were elected to serve as departmental directors:

• Evangelism/Sabbath School/Personal Ministries: Munaji Musa

• Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries/Public Campus Ministries/Adventist Possibility Ministries: Benjamin Yusuf Yemson

• Ministerial/Family Life: Emmanuel Gbazi Jugbo

• Youth Ministries/Global Mission/Adventist-Muslims Relations: Jidauna Ephraim

• AWM/Children’s Ministries: Laraba Grace Okah

• Legal Adviser/PARL: Sunday N. Abednego

• Publishing/SOP/VOP: Stephen Alkali

• Education: Jael Yohanna

• Health Ministries: Gideon John

• Communication: Ezinwa Alozie

• Stewardship: Emmanuel Ogbonna

• Adventist Men Organisation: Zakari Momoh

• Strategic Planning & Development: Ezekiel Luka

• Geosciences Research Institute Coordinator: Martin Mato

• Adventist Services International (ASI) Coordinator: Andy James

The three mission fields in Northern Nigeria also had their officers elected:

In his charge to the newly elected team, Pastor (Prof.) Bassey Udoh, President of the West-Central Africa Division, urged officers and departmental directors to remain “grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission.”
During the consecration service on Sabbath, November 22, 2025, led by WAD Executive Secretary, Pastor Vincent Roger Same, with the sermon titled “Tell the World,” the Division leadership encouraged the leaders to align their passion with the Church’s mission and present Christ as the only solution to humanity’s challenges.

Pastor (Prof.) Bassey Udoh - WAD President admonishing the newly elected leaders and delegates

Pr Vincent Roger Same - WAD Executive Secretary Ministering during the Consecration Service

“Tell the world the true identity of Jesus Christ. Tell the world that Jesus is God made visible—the absolute and transforming truth. Tell the world that Christ is coming soon to restore all things. Save one soul for heaven,” the WAD leaders charged.
Responding on behalf of the newly elected officers, Pastor (Dr.) Istifanus Ishaya expressed deep appreciation to the entire membership of the Northern Nigeria Union Conference for the confidence reposed in him to lead the Church for the next five years.
He thanked God for the successful conduct of the Session and commended the WAD administration for their commitment and presence throughout the proceedings.
Pastor Ishaya pledged that the new administration under his watch will build on past achievements and strengthen the Church’s mission impact in the region.
“We pledge to be grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission. So help us God,” he affirmed.
The four-day meeting featured inspiring and thought-provoking devotional messages. One among them was titled: ‘One Thing I do: Focusing on Mission’ delivered by Prof. Tayo Ademola, immediate past Vice Chancellor of Babcock University.
The constituency session reviewed and amended the NNUC Bylaws specifically the membership of Executive Committee, which was increased from 21 to 25 given the fact that the Northern Nigeria Union Conference is currently composed of three conferences and three missions.