The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, as the administrative arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, manages and supports the activities of agencies and institutions instituted by the CBCN.
CBCN Agencies & Institutions
Beyond internal departments, CBCN operates a network of agencies and institutions that extend the Church’s impact across Nigeria:
- Education: Veritas University Abuja and Church-affiliated schools.
- Healthcare: Salus Trust and diocesan health initiatives.
- Humanitarian & Social Development: Catholic Caritas Foundation (CCFN/Caritas Nigeria), JDPC/Caritas programmes, and Opus Securitatis (pension and welfare for priests).
- Mission Support: Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) and National Catholic Service Centre (NCSC).
- Economic & Institutional Sustainability: CSN Investment Concept Limited (CICL) and CSN Resource Centre (CSN-RC).
These agencies ensure the Church’s presence is felt beyond pastoral care, addressing societal needs such as education, health, development, and social justice.
Dual Structure for Effective Mission
The combination of departments (internal focus) and agencies/institutions (external impact) allows CBCN to:
- Respond to internal Church needs—formation, governance, pastoral care, communications.
- Address societal challenges—humanitarian crises, education, healthcare, social justice, and development.
- Maintain accountability and sustainability through episcopal oversight and professional management.
This integrated governance model ensures that the Church can serve both spiritual and temporal needs across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, remaining faithful to its mission of evangelization, service to human dignity, and the promotion of the common good.
In other words, through these agencies and institutions, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria operationalises the Church’s holistic mission — encompassing spiritual formation, education, healthcare, social development, economic empowerment, welfare, and missionary outreach. Together with CSN’s internal departments and directorates, these agencies reflect a dynamic and collaborative ecclesial structure rooted in episcopal leadership and professional expertise, serving the People of God and advancing integral human development across the nation.
Mandate: The Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria serves as the national relief and development arm of the CBCN, focusing on integral human development and humanitarian response.
Key activities include:
- Emergency response and humanitarian services.
- Health interventions, including HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis prevention and treatment.
- Agriculture, livelihoods, and food security programmes.
- Good governance, civic education, and advocacy.
- Protection and migration support.
- Institutional capacity strengthening and environmental initiatives.
Caritas Nigeria leverages the Church’s diocesan structures and partnerships with government agencies, international donors, and civil society organizations to meet the needs of the most vulnerable, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation. It is also part of Caritas Internationalis, a global confederation of Catholic aid organisations.
Mandate: Veritas Travel Agency provides travel management and logistical support for Church personnel and related missions.
Functions include:
- Coordination of domestic and international travel arrangements for bishops, clergy, religious, pilgrims, and conference delegates.
- Visa facilitation and travel documentation support for Church assignments and events.
This service supports efficient movement for Church-related engagements, ensuring logistical needs are met professionally and reliably.
More About Veritas Travel
About Opus Securitatis
Opus Securitatis is an organ of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria which works to guarantee retirement assistance to priests who are elderly and the terminally ill through the provision of suitable social security.
VISION
A life of wellbeing for priests in old age and infirmity.
MISSION
To guarantee retirement assistance to priests who are elderly and the terminally ill through the provision of suitable social security.
ORIGIN
Due to the emergence of indigenous priests through the growth of the local Church, there arose a question of who takes care of them when they are old. This is because while the foreign missionaries had proper and formal retirement arrangement made for them in their respective homelands, for our indigenous priests, nothing was in place.
In order to find an answer to the above question, some Churches in mission territories who were already receiving assistance from Missio-Aachen in Germany put forward a proposal to open a Pension Fund for Clergy in the 1970s. Missio Aachen adopted the proposal as a project of inter-ecclesial help and, with the approval of the Superior Council of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), the Opus Securitatis was launched in May 1976.
SUSTENANCE
- At the initial stage, the project was sponsored by the priests in Germany mobilized by the PMS. The PMS also paid a subsidy to sustain the scheme. The priests in the mission territories made their own contribution in the form of two Masses per month.
TRANSITION
- In May 2003, the General Assembly of the PMS, de-centralized Opus Securitatis and made it the responsibility of the respective diocesan Bishops or National Bishops’ Conferences.
- On May 25, 2004, the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples addressed a letter to all local Ordinaries of the ecclesiastical circumscriptions under the Congregation and expressed among other issues that the Opus Securitatis Pension Scheme be centrally organized for all the dioceses belonging to every Conference. In his words: “although the individual Bishop has the right to define his own economic policy independently, I strongly recommend with insistence that, as far as possible, this new system of pensions for the local clergy be organized for all the dioceses together by the national Bishops’ Conference. This will guarantee economic stability, better administration of the Fund, more economical contracts, more efficiency with one administration and, most important, a spirit of solidarity among the dioceses of the respective country”.
NATIONAL OPUS SECURITATIS
- In accordance with the strong recommendation of the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the CBCN at its September 2004 plenary, decided for a collective management of the funds. In such a way that each diocese is involved, and the funds belonging to each diocese remains at the credit of the diocese, and on maturity is transferred to the Diocesan Opus Securitatis Committee for management in favour of the beneficiaries.
Governance and Leadership (Board of Directors)
The first Opus Securitatis Board was inaugurated by the CBCN on November 14, 2005, to govern the operations of the Agency and administer the funds with the first Bishop Chairman, Most Rev. Hilary Okeke, followed by His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, and Most Rev. Gabriel “Leke” Abegunrin. Most Rev. Matthew Ishaya Audu, whose guidance continues to strengthen the agency, currently chairs the Board.
How It Works
Priests contribute annual premiums through their dioceses. These funds are invested through Catholic Investment Concept Ltd (CICL), and benefits are paid to eligible priests at the retirement age of 65, through their dioceses.
Opus Securitatis operates two schemes:
Scheme A: Original dioceses at the time of transfer to Nigeria
Scheme B: New dioceses carved out from Scheme A dioceses
Premium categories range from ₦10,000 to ₦50,000 per priest per annum, with interest accruing based on contribution level and timeliness.
Commitment
Opus Securitatis remains committed to safeguarding the future of priests who have faithfully served the Church and humanity.
Mandate: Salus Trust is a Church‑centred health insurance and healthcare initiative designed to offer affordable, quality medical care to members of the Catholic community and potentially the broader public.
Services include access to healthcare facilities, insurance premium schemes, and collaborations with providers to ensure effective coverage for clergy, religious, and laity.
More on Salus Trust
Mandate: CICL functions as the financial and investment arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.
Purpose: It oversees strategic investments and financial management initiatives that promote institutional sustainability, enabling long‑term support for Church programmes, human development activities, and national outreach initiatives.
More on CICL
Mandate: Veritas University Abuja is a Catholic faith‑based private university founded by the CBCN in 2002.
Veritas University is a private university, located in Abuja. It was founded in March 2002 by the Catholic Church in Nigeria. The Institution received its provisional operation licence in 2007 from the National Universities Commission and commenced admission of students in October 2008, at its take-off campus in Obehie, Abia State, Nigeria.
History
Veritas University Abuja (VUA), also known as the Catholic University of Nigeria, was founded by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria through a resolution given at its March 2002 meeting in Abuja. The initiative was born by the collective desire of the attending Bishops’ for a University that would provide high quality tertiary education according to the tradition of the Catholic Church.
The Institution received its provisional operation licence in 2007 from the National Universities Commission and commenced admission of students in October 2008 at its take-off campus in Obehie, Abia State, Nigeria. In 2014, it moved to its permanent site with its campus now located in the Bwari Area council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Nigeria.
The University emphasizes moral values, self-reliance and the development of the students’ entrepreneurial capabilities for the social and economic benefit of the graduates and the Nigerian society.
Focus: The university integrates academic excellence with moral and spiritual formation, guided by Catholic identity and values. Its mission includes the promotion of truth, holistic human development, social justice, and entrepreneurial capacity among students.
Mission: The mission of Veritas University is to provide its students with an integral and holistic formation that combines academic and professional training with physical, moral, spiritual, social and cultural formation together with formation of Christian religious principles and the social Teachings of the Catholic Church.
Vision: Veritas University seeks to be a dynamic community of staff and students with Christian orientation and inspiration who, motivated by the ideals of hard work, integrity, dicipline and creativeness, and dedicated to Catholic principles and attitudes, work together to create knowledge for the advancement of the Nigerian society, and to evolve an academic culture of excellence that will make the University rank among the best in the world.
- Other name: The Catholic University of Nigeria
- Motto: Seeking the Truth
- Type: Private
- Established: 2007; over 17 years ago
- Founder: Catholic Church in Nigeria
- Vice-Chancellor: Prof. Ichoku Hyacinth
- Address: Bwari Area Council, FCT-Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
- 28857708129, 7.41568800158
- Campus: Rural 49 acres (20 ha)
- Email: info@veritas.edu.ng
- Website: veritas.edu.ng
Mandate: The Pontifical Mission Societies coordinate missionary fundraising, awareness, formation, and solidarity in support of the universal mission of the Church.
Role: PMS promotes mission awareness among the faithful, encourages contributions for global missionary efforts, and links the Nigerian Church with the broader universal missionary enterprise.
The Pontifical Mission Societies are a worldwide network of prayer and charity established to support the universal mission of the Catholic Church under the direction of the Pope. These societies promote missionary awareness, spiritual formation, and material support for mission activity, especially in regions where the Church is young, poor, or developing.
Missionary Purpose
The PMS exist to:
- Awaken and nurture a universal missionary spirit among all Catholics, rooted in Baptism.
- Promote prayer, sacrifice, and financial solidarity for the work of mission worldwide.
- Support young Churches through education, pastoral care, and material aid.
- Encourage every baptized person to participate actively in the Church’s missionary mandate as expressed in Ad Gentes and the Great Commission.
Each society contributes to the Church’s mission with a distinct focus, yet all share the common goal of advancing the Gospel:
- Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith
Founded in Lyon, France, this society encourages Catholics to respond to the Church’s missionary call through prayer, sacrifice, and financial support for missionary dioceses and pastoral needs worldwide. It fosters missionary awareness and provides direct assistance to mission territories, including support for clergy, catechists, and pastoral programmes. A highlight of its work is World Mission Sunday, celebrated annually to unite the global Church in solidarity.
- Pontifical Missionary Childhood (Holy Childhood Association)
This society engages children in mission awareness and action, encouraging them to pray for and assist other children around the world. Its motto — “Children helping children” — reflects its mission to instil a universal missionary spirit from an early age, especially through school‑based programmes and parish formation.
- Society of St. Peter the Apostle
Established to support seminary formation and religious vocations in mission territories, this society provides financial aid for the education of seminarians and religious candidates. It also supports pension and welfare initiatives in some contexts and contributes to the formation of clergy and consecrated life in young Churches.
- Pontifical Missionary Union
Founded by Fr. Paolo Manna, this society focuses on missionary formation for clergy, religious, and lay faithful. Rather than fundraising, it deepens understanding of the Church’s missionary vocation and inspires all members of the People of God to embrace their missionary duty in daily life.
Mission Theology and Church Teaching
The Second Vatican Council clarifies that the Church’s missionary task includes both proclaiming the Gospel and establishing new Churches (Ad Gentes). The PMS operate within this framework, contributing to the Church’s missionary life by animating faithful Catholics to live and witness the Gospel beyond geographic and cultural boundaries.
Each society was given the title “Pontifical” in the early 20th century, marking its official status as an instrument of the Pope and the universal Church for missionary cooperation. pontificalmissions.org
Organization of PMS in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the Pontifical Mission Societies are organised to facilitate participation, coordination, and missionary animation at multiple levels:
- Parish Level: Each parish establishes a PMS committee to coordinate local activities, including prayer, formation, and fundraising.
- Diocesan Level: A Diocesan Director, appointed by the bishop, oversees PMS programmes with the support of councils and local committees.
- Provincial Level: Each of Nigeria’s nine ecclesiastical provinces has a PMS Provincial Council comprising diocesan directors.
- National Level: The National Director, appointed by Rome on the recommendation of the CBCN, leads the PMS National Council made up of diocesan directors and society secretaries. PMS collaborates closely with the Department of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, and the CBCN. pmsng.org
Role within the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria
As a CBCN‑recognised agency, the Pontifical Mission Societies play a crucial role in nurturing missionary consciousness and supporting missionary programmes nationwide. The bishop chairing the Department of Mission and Dialogue serves as the primary liaison between the PMS and the Conference, ensuring alignment with the Church’s mission priorities in Nigeria.
The National Catholic Service Centre (NCSC) is an integral operational arm of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), the administrative headquarters of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). The Centre functions as a central service and coordination hub that facilitates the interface between the Church and Nigeria’s diplomatic and immigration environments.
Purpose and Mandate
The NCSC was established to serve as a clearing house for consular, immigration, goods clearance, and protocol matters on behalf of the Church in Nigeria. It provides vital support for clergy, religious, and selected Church personnel who require official documentation, diplomatic engagement, and logistical facilitation in interactions with foreign missions and governmental authorities.
Key Functions of the NCSC
The core responsibilities of the National Catholic Service Centre include:
- Issuance of Letters of Introduction
The Centre issues letters of introduction to foreign embassies on behalf of Catholic clergy, religious, and designated Church personnel who are preparing to apply for visas for official Church business, pastoral appointments, study, or missionary assignments. - Visa Processing and Protocol Services
Through its dedicated protocol staff, the NCSC manages and facilitates the processing of visa applications for clergy, religious, and Church personnel. This service includes liaison with embassies and relevant authorities to ensure timely and effective visa issuance. - Diplomatic Representation
The Centre represents the Catholic Church in Nigeria in matters that involve foreign embassies and diplomatic engagements, ensuring that the Church’s interests are professionally and accurately represented in consular affairs. - Immigration Responsibilities
The NCSC is the sole office entrusted by the CBCN to handle a range of immigration responsibilities, including:
- Facilitating visas for Catholic pilgrimages and mission travel.
- Managing entry and exit documentation for Church personnel.
- Coordinating with immigration services on regulatory compliance.
- Goods Clearance and Protocol
In support of Church operations, the NCSC handles goods clearance, customs protocols, and related logistical requirements for items imported for official Church use. This includes coordination with ports, customs authorities, and service providers to ensure efficient processing.
Role Within the Church’s Mission
The National Catholic Service Centre strengthens the Church’s capacity to operate effectively at national and international levels by providing essential diplomatic, immigration, and logistical support services. By centralising these functions, the NCSC enables clergy, religious, and Church representatives to fulfil their pastoral, educational, and missionary responsibilities without undue administrative burden.
The CSN Resource Centre (CSN RC) is an agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) which offers accommodation, event facilities, and acts as a “Clearing House” for the Catholic Church in Nigeria. It is located in Abuja, Nigeria.
Mandate: The CSN Resource Centre supports research, education, training, and capacity building for clergy, religious, lay leaders, and Church institutions.
Purpose: It invests in institutional strengthening, knowledge sharing, and professional development to enhance the effectiveness and impact of Church ministries across Nigeria.
The CSN RC is an extension of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), the administrative body of the CBCN. Its main functions and features include:
- Facilities: It provides accommodation, a restaurant, a coffee bar, and a spacious hall for events.
- Protocol and Consular Services: It acts as a liaison between the CBCN and embassies in Nigeria for consular and related matters, including issuing letters of introduction for clergy and church personnel seeking visas.
- Goods Clearance: The centre also handles goods clearance and protocols for the CBCN.