By: Gideon Dooyum Inyom
| Author |Innovation Strategist|Development Professional| Historian|
Rt. Rev’d Dr. Nathan Nyitar Inyom stands among the most influential church leaders and peace advocates to emerge from Benue State. His life has been defined by faithful service to God, commitment to humanity, and an unwavering passion for justice, peace, reconciliation, and community transformation.
Following the creation of the Diocese of Makurdi, Anglican Communion, in September 1990, the Diocese was led by its pioneer bishop, Rt. Rev’d John Terry Iyangemar. After Bishop Iyangemar’s untimely passing on 21 June 1991, Rt. Rev’d Dr. Nathan Nyitar Inyom was elected his successor and was consecrated as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Makurdi on 9 February 1992.
When Bishop Inyom assumed office, the Diocese of Makurdi comprised approximately 31 churches. Through more than three decades of visionary leadership, strategic evangelism, church planting, clergy development, and institutional strengthening, the Diocese experienced remarkable growth and expansion.
Under his episcopal leadership, the Diocese of Makurdi became the Mother Diocese from which three additional dioceses were created:
• Diocese of Otukpo
• Diocese of Gboko
• Diocese of Zaki-Biam
Today, the dioceses that emerged from the original Diocese of Makurdi collectively account for over 500 churches spread across Benue State, representing one of the most significant periods of Anglican expansion in the history of the province.
For 32 years, 8 months, and 11 days, Bishop Inyom provided spiritual oversight, administrative leadership, and pastoral guidance that transformed not only the Diocese but also the lives of thousands of clergy, church workers, and congregants. His episcopacy was characterized by church growth, clergy training, youth empowerment, Christian education, community development, and the strengthening of Anglican institutions throughout Benue State.
Beyond the Church, Bishop Inyom became a respected voice on issues of peace, justice, governance, and human dignity. His commitment to social harmony and conflict resolution earned him widespread respect across religious, ethnic, and political divides.
In recognition of his longstanding contributions to peacebuilding, he was appointed Chairman of the Benue State Peace Commission in May 2023, more than a year before his retirement as Bishop. In this role, he continues to lead efforts aimed at promoting dialogue, mediation, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence among communities throughout Benue State.
He also serves as a Member of the Benue State Prerogative of Mercy Committee and has served on the Benue State Pilgrims Board, among several other public, religious, and community service bodies over the years.
On 20 October 2024, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years, Rt. Rev’d Dr. Nathan Nyitar Inyom retired from active episcopal ministry, bringing to a close one of the longest and most impactful episcopal tenures in the Anglican Communion in Nigeria.
He remains actively engaged in public service through the Ecumenical Centre for Justice and Peace (ECJP), a faith-based organization he founded to promote peacebuilding, justice advocacy, conflict management, humanitarian intervention, leadership development, and sustainable community development.
Today, Bishop Inyom’s legacy is measured not only by the positions he has held but by the institutions he built, the dioceses he helped establish, the churches planted under his leadership, the lives transformed through his ministry, and his enduring commitment to peace and justice.
From 31 churches in 1992 to a network of more than 500 churches across four dioceses today, his story remains one of vision, growth, service, and faithful stewardship.
Rt. Rev’d Dr. Nathan Nyitar Inyom
Bishop Emeritus | Peacebuilder | Mentor | Author | Statesman | Servant of God
