Abuja: The United African Methodist Church (UAMC) Organisation on Saturday inaugurated the Diocese of Lagos and enthroned Most Rev’d Moses Jesuyon Toyi as Archbishop. Toyi was proclaimed Diocesan Bishop by Conference Committee Secretary, Bro. Bunmi Kuti, during the ceremony at the UAMC Cathedral, Jebba St., Ebute Meta (West), Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Kuti said the conference selected Toyi to head the first of three approved dioceses, namely Lagos, Badagry, and Ogun. The UAMC Lay President, Mr Adeyanju Ogunlewe, formally declared the Diocese of Lagos inaugurated, noting that the diocese originated from a proposal presented at the church’s 2008 conference in Iworo and became a reality following the implementation of the Olakitan Report in 2023.
Ogunlewe described the inauguration as the fulfilment of an 18-year vision conceived by the church’s founding leaders. He emphasized the importance of decentralizing the administration to bring it closer to the grassroots. Furthermore, the Lagos Dioc
ese now has full administrative authority over its four circuits through the office of the diocesan bishop, subject to conference approval.
He directed the diocese to conduct quarterly meetings before every Standing Committee meeting and convene its synod before the annual conference. Ogunlewe also highlighted immediate priorities, including establishing a UAMC church in Ikeja and facilitating the resettlement of Oko Agbon. He disclosed that the Diocese of Badagry would be inaugurated within two weeks, while the Diocese of Ogun would follow in November.
Ogunlewe urged the new diocesan leadership to prioritize church planting and evangelism across Lagos State. Earlier, the Primate of UAMC Worldwide, Joseph Ojaoba, urged church leaders to rise, build, and strengthen God’s church, emphasizing the need for unity between clergy and laity to advance God’s kingdom.
Preaching from Nehemiah 2:17-18, Ojaoba described the inauguration as a historic milestone, calling it a call to build and advance God’s kingdom for g
reater spiritual, social, and human development. He charged the diocese to pursue evangelism, unity, holiness, and faithful service, while avoiding distractions that could weaken the church’s spiritual mandate.
Ojaoba urged members to nurture believers, serve their communities, and work together for the diocese’s growth and progress. He stressed that unity between clergy and laity remained indispensable, while holiness, prayer, faithful preaching, and compassionate service were the church’s true strength. He also called for deliberate investment in children and youths to secure the future of both the church and society, expressing optimism that Lagos Diocese would become a model for others.
In his inauguration and enthronement address, Toyi applauded the church leaders for finding him worthy. He described the event as a historic milestone in the life of the church and a testimony to God’s abundant grace, mercy, and faithfulness. The new Diocesan Bishop outlined his leadership focus on church growth and deve
lopment, church planting and expansion, and evangelism, among others.
Toyi emphasized the commitment to fostering growth in faith, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and community development, envisioning a Diocese that will serve as a beacon of hope, promoting excellence, integrity, and selfless service to humanity. The inauguration attracted ministers, church members, and guests from Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.