…”Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” – Proverbs 22:29 (King James Version).
Few passages of Scripture capture the life and ministry of the Most Reverend Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, Archbishop, Metropolitan, and Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), as fittingly as these timeless words from Proverbs. As he marks his 65th birthday on July 18, 2026, with a thanksgiving service coming up at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp, Gwarinpa, Abuja at 10am offer a compelling reflection of a man whose journey has been defined by unwavering diligence, steadfast faith, and exemplary leadership.
Having worked closely with him over the past five years, I write not from hearsay but from personal experience. I have observed his leadership at close quarters and witnessed a rare combination of spiritual depth, humility, and administrative excellence. These qualities have earned him admiration within the Anglican Communion and beyond.
My first significant encounter with Primate Ndukuba came shortly after his predecessor, the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, entrusted him with the leadership of the Church of Nigeria and formally handed me over as Chairman of the Board of Management of Advent Cable Network Nigeria Television (ACNN TV).
At that moment, I quietly wondered whether the new Primate would permit me the freedom required to nurture the fledgling television ministry. My apprehension soon disappeared.
Not only did he grant me complete professional latitude, he also consistently encouraged innovation and supported initiatives that enabled ACNN TV to flourish. His confidence in those entrusted with responsibility created an atmosphere where excellence could thrive. Looking back, the years of my two terms supervisory role remain among the most rewarding of my professional life.
That approach reflects his broader philosophy of leadership.
As the spiritual head of more than 20 million Anglican faithful across Nigeria, Primate Ndukuba leads with firmness tempered by compassion. He expects commitment from those who serve alongside him and becomes understandably concerned whenever individuals fail to align with his vision for the “Decade of God’s Reign”. Yet his response is never driven by vindictiveness. Rather than discard people, he seeks to correct, mentor and inspire improved performance.
His administration demonstrates that discipline and compassion are not mutually exclusive.
Perhaps nowhere is his passion more evident than in evangelism.
For Primate Ndukuba, proclaiming the Gospel is not merely one responsibility among many, it is the very heartbeat of his ministry. He lives, breathes, and dreams of spreading the undiluted Word of God to every corner of Nigeria and beyond. Whether addressing vast congregations, commissioning missionaries, or encouraging local church planting, his singular objective remains bringing men and women into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
His extraordinary energy continues to astonish those who work around him.
Despite an exceptionally demanding schedule, he approaches each day with remarkable enthusiasm, travelling tirelessly across dioceses, provinces and international engagements. Watching him move from one assignment to another, often with scarcely a pause for rest, one cannot help but admire the resilience that underpins his ministry.
Leading a Church comprising more than 180 active bishops across 14 ecclesiastical provinces is no ordinary responsibility.
The familiar expression: “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown,” aptly describes the enormous demands of such an office.
On one occasion, I asked him how he managed the constant stream of challenges arising from numerous dioceses under his pastoral oversight.
His response was characteristically simple.
“God has been faithful.”
Those four words revealed the foundation upon which he has built his leadership.
His answer reminded me of a similar conversation I had decades earlier with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo while as a young reporter solely assigned to cover his electioneering campaigns during the late 1970s and early 1980s. I asked him while having his dinner how he was coping with the immense burdens of national leadership, he replied: “Look up to Jesus-the problem solver.”
Primate Ndukuba embodies that same unwavering confidence in divine guidance.
Whether confronted by criticism or praised for his accomplishments, he rarely betrays anxiety. His confidence rests not in public approval but in God’s faithfulness.
Beyond the altar and the boardroom lies another defining characteristic—his generosity.
Primate Ndukuba possesses a deeply compassionate spirit. He gives quietly, freely and without expectation of recognition. Countless individuals have experienced his kindness, and I count myself among those who have personally benefited from his generosity on several occasions.Such acts are never publicised. They flow naturally from a life shaped by Christian service.
His workload is staggering.
Curiosity once led me to glance through his engagement diary earlier this year. What I saw was astonishing. Daily commitments stretched well into the following year, leaving scarcely any room for rest. The schedule reflected an unrelenting cycle of pastoral visits, ecclesiastical meetings, missionary engagements, international assignments and administrative responsibilities.
Yet he rarely complains.
Behind every successful ministry, however, stands a dependable partner.
In Primate Ndukuba’s case, that partner is his wife, Mama Angela Ndukuba. Throughout his demanding years of service and up to now she has remained a steadfast companion, sharing both the sacrifices and the triumphs of ministry. Their partnership reflects a shared calling rather than separate assignments, demonstrating that Christian leadership flourishes when husband and wife serve together in unity.
One of the hallmarks of Primate Ndukuba’s administration has been inclusiveness.
