BENIN CITY, Nigeria — The Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City has announced the death of Archbishop Augustine Akubeze at the age of 69.
Akubeze passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2026, barely one month before his retirement, which was scheduled for August 25 when he would have turned 70, in accordance with Catholic Church doctrine. The announcement was made by the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh, on behalf of the Consultors of the diocese.
Born in Kaduna in 1956, Akubeze was ordained a Catholic priest on October 3, 1987. He was appointed the pioneer Bishop of Uromi Diocese on December 14, 2005, and consecrated on February 25, 2006. On March 18, 2011, he was appointed Archbishop of Benin City and installed on April 28, 2011.
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, described Akubeze as a “unique shepherd” whose leadership combined spiritual growth with the development of the church and the welfare of its members.
“Archbishop Akubeze was a unique shepherd who understood that the true development of the Church embraces both spiritual renewal and the holistic growth of God’s people,” the statement read. “Under his care, the Archdiocese of Benin City has witnessed significant developmental strides. He was deeply committed to the welfare of his priests with the conviction that the future of the church depended on well-formed shepherds.”
The Church also recalled his contributions as a former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, describing him as a defender of the Church’s teachings. His episcopal motto was “Ut Testimonium perhibeam veritati” (That I may bear witness to the Truth). The Archdiocese described the late archbishop as a humble and committed servant of God who touched many lives through his ministry. “Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze lived a very simple and humble life in faith and obedience to the will of God. He impacted the lives of so many people. He was a complete gentleman and a father to us all,” the statement added.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the Archdiocese in the coming days.
