Catholic Church Mourns Archbishop Akubeze at 69

The Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City is mourning the death of its Metropolitan Archbishop, Most Rev.

Augustine Obiora Akubeze, who passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at the age of 69.
His death was announced in a statement by the Archdiocese and confirmed by the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.
Born in 1956, Archbishop Akubeze was ordained a Catholic priest on October 3, 1987. He was appointed the pioneer Bishop of Uromi Diocese on December 14, 2005, and was consecrated on February 25, 2006. Five years later, he was appointed Archbishop of Benin City on March 18, 2011, and was installed on April 28, 2011, a position he held for 15 years.
He also served as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), where he was widely recognised as a prominent voice on matters of faith, governance and social justice.
Guided by his episcopal motto, “Ut Testimonium Perhibeam Veritati” meaning, “That I May Bear Witness to the Truth,” Archbishop Akubeze was widely regarded as a humble, compassionate and dedicated shepherd.
According to the Archdiocese, he championed spiritual renewal, improved infrastructure across parishes, and promoted the welfare of priests and parishioners throughout the Archdiocese.
The statement described him as “a gentle and compassionate shepherd whose impact will be felt for generations.”
The Church has commended his soul to God and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the Archdiocese in due course.
Meanwhile, tributes have continued to pour in from members of the clergy, lay faithful and Nigerians across different denominations, who remember Archbishop Akubeze for his pastoral warmth, intellectual depth and unwavering commitment to truth.