The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins has a zeal for service and a heart imbued with love for God and humanity and he celebrates his 40th Priestly Ordination Anniversary and his 25th Episcopal Ordination Anniversary.

He has risen to become a guiding force in the spiritual journey of countless souls.

Born on the 1st of June 1959, in the rocky city of Abeokuta and nurtured within the embrace of the devout family of Gregory and Victoria Martins, Archbishop Martins’ early years were marked by a deep commitment to his faith and a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

His unwavering devotion to God, his undeviating faith and his relentless determination led him on a journey of education and formation, which culminated in his Priestly Ordination on 18th September 1983 by Anthony Cardinal Okogie, the then Archbishop of Lagos. He had his primary education at St. Augustine Primary School Abeokuta from where he proceeded to the prestigious St. Theresa Minor Seminary Oke-Are where the seed of the priesthood was nurtured.

He was then propelled to the Great Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul, Bodija where he had his priestly training before his ordination alongside seven others of the Archdiocese of Lagos.

He began his ministry at Gregory’s College Obalende and went on to work as the Assistant Administrator of Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos, from there, he worked at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Makoko. His journey embraced a whole new turn when he was seconded as a formator to Ss. Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, one which aided him in delving more deeply into the academia.

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