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The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Northwest Nigeria, Most Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah, has been appointed a Member of the Council of the Vatican Dicastery for Integral Human Development. This was conveyed in a letter addressed to Bishop Kukah by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. In the letter signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Peter Cardinal Parolin, Bishop Kukah joins other prominent Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops from around the world in serving a five-year term on the Council.

By Matthews Otalike, The Searchlight / December 17, 2025

The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, led by Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, continues to show that we are human first before religion by donating Ten (10) Wheelchairs  to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto.
This generous act underscores the Diocese’s unwavering commitment to supporting the sick, the marginalized, and the broader community.

On Thursday, 21st August 2025, the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, under the leadership of its bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, donated wheelchairs to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto.

A team of researchers from Hungary Helps, a humanitarian initiative by the government of Hungary, visited the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto to inspect some of the ongoing projects supported by the organization.

On behalf of the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the delegation was warmly received by the diocesan Chancellor Very. Revd. Fr. Nuhu Iliya alongside Fr. Jude Okpanaci and project coordinators. The team toured various sites where impactful developmental efforts are being carried out in partnership with the diocese.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Revd (Dr) Matthew Hassan Kukah, has mourned the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that the former President was a good man.

The former Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, in a telephone interview with Daily Sun, urged Nigerians not to allow Buhari’s eight-year rule to overshadow his good nature.

He prayed God to grant former President Buhari eternal rest and give consolation to his family.

 "BISHOP KUKAH CONFERRED WITH COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER (CON) BY PRESIDENT TINUBU.

MR. PRESIDENT: PLEASE BRING US DOWN FROM THIS CROSS

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto

Easter Message 2025

Again, another tributary of blood gushes from Zike, in Bassa Local Government Area to Bokkos in Plateau State. Together, they will link up with older tributaries and continue their flow slowly but surely into an invisible ocean of blood that now threatens to swallow the plateau. The streams have flowed from different directions, through Jos, Dogo Na Hawa, Bukuru, Gwong, Shendam, Yelwa, Wase, Langtang, Riyom, Kadarko, Shere, Miango to mention only a few. The list is almost endless.

Again, another tributary of blood gushes from Zike, in Bassa Local Government Area to Bokkos in Plateau State. Together, they will link up with older tributaries and continue their flow slowly but surely into an invisible ocean of blood that now threatens to swallow the plateau. The streams have flowed from different directions, through Jos, Dogo Na Hawa, Bukuru, Gwong, Shendam, Yelwa, Wase, Langtang, Riyom, Kadarko, Shere, Miango to mention only a few. The list is almost endless.

President Bola Tinubu has named Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, as the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State.

The President also appointed key officials for the university, including Prof. Qurix Williams Barnabas as Vice Chancellor, Sanusi Gambo Adamu as Registrar, Ibrahim Dalhat as Bursar, and Prof. Daniel Abubakar as University Librarian.

AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED (ACN) VISITS SOKOTO DIOCESE. 

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has been actively supporting the Diocese of Sokoto in Nigeria, addressing the challenges faced by the Christian minority in the predominantly Muslim northern region. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, who has led the diocese since 2011, has collaborated closely with ACN to raise awareness about the persecution of Christians and to seek support for their plight.

Message of the Holy Father for the 59th World Day of Social Communications, 24.01.2025 

The following is the Message of the Holy Father Francis for the 59th World Day of Social Communications, on the theme: “Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts (cf. 1 Pet 3:15-16)”:

Message of the Holy Father

Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts (cf. 1 Pet 3:15-16)

Dear brothers and sisters!

Pope Francis has announced the theme for the 2025, World Communication Day (WCD). The theme is, “Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts” (cf. 1Pt 3:15-16). 

e the 59th World Communication Day is scheduled for Sunday 1st June, 2025. The Holy Father says Christians and non-Christians alike, should re-examine the way they communicate with one other.

According to Vatican News, Pope Francis desires through the theme to draw attention to the violence currently prevalent in communication.

Nigeria: Journey to Nationhood.

Transcending Challenges: Attaining True Nationhood

Lecture delivered on the Occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Catholic Herald 

by Bishop Matthew Hassan KUKAH, Lagos, October 5th, 2024

The ongoing retreat on the Synod on Synodality is progressing with call by the Holy Father Pope Francis to chat new ways of spreading evangelization.

Participants at the events among many people are the Archbishop of Abuja, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah.

The undying love and commitment of the Catholic Church to the growth and improvement of human dignity in the Northern part of Nigeria has been further demonstrated by the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto with the establishment of a new school in Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF NIGERIA END MEETING. 

A CALL FOR PRAYER AND ACTION: TOWARDS REPENTANCE AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

A Communiqué issued at the end of the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Auchi Diocese, Edo State at the Nezer Towers and Suites, Afowa/Afasho-Uzairue, 22 – 30 August.

PREAMBLE

16 July 2024

The Catholic Church in Nigeria warmly welcomes the new Apostolic Nuncio:
His Excellency, Archbishop Michael Francis CROTTY

BISHOP KUKAH; Condoles Pastor Chris and the Embassy Church

FIRE ENGULFED CHRIST EMBASSY HEADQUARTERS, LAGOS. 23/06/2024

We all woke up on this holy day of the Lord to the tragedy of a fire incident in one of your Churches in the Ikeja axis of Lagos. On behalf of myself and all of us here in Sokoto, please accept our deepest sympathies. We pray that no sacred lives were lost. 

Pope Francis initiated a new cycle of catechesis, after concluding the one dedicated to vices and virtues. The Pope devoted 19 General Audiences to the cycle on vices and virtues. The theme that the Pope will address going forward is «The Spirit and the Bride – the Bride is the Church. The Holy Spirit guides the people of God to encounter Jesus, our hope

Meeting with participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Dicastery for the Clergy, the Pope emphasized formation, vocation, and the importance of the permanent diaconate.

By Adriana Masotti

Pope Francis met with participants in the Dicastery for the Clergy’s Plenary Assembly in the Vatican on Thursday morning, focusing on three main aspects: the ongoing formation of priests, the promotion of vocations, and the permanent diaconate.

DICASTERY FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
MESSAGE FOR THE MONTH OF RAMADAN AND ‘ID Al-FITR
1445 H. / 2024 A.D.
Christians and Muslims:
Extinguish the Fire of War and Light the Candle of Peace
Vatican City
Dear Muslim brothers and sisters,
Once again we greet you on the occasion of the month of Ramadan with a
message of closeness and friendship, aware of the importance of this month for your
spiritual journey and for your family and social life, which also embraces your
Christian friends and neighbours.

NIGERIA: A TIME TO HEAL

Easter Message by Bishop Matthew Hassan KUKAH, 
Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, March 31st, 2024