In a new wave of appointments, two esteemed scholars have been named rectors of two prominent seminaries in Nigeria.
According to information made available to Advocatus Africa Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Aloysius Ezeoba, a priest of Enugu Diocese has been appointed as the 22nd Rector of Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu.
Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, established in 1922, has announced the appointment of Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Aloysius Ezeoba as its new Rector, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s history as he prepares to assume office as the 22nd Rector of the prestigious seminary.
A priest of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Ezeoba, was born on 24 April 1978 and was ordained to the priesthood on 7 July 2007.
He has distinguished himself through dedicated service in priestly formation and academic excellence at Bigard Memorial Seminary, where he has held several key roles.
Fr. Ezeoba had served as the Assistant Head of the Department of Philosophy and Acting Head of the Department of Philosophy in the institution before his appointment.
He has also contributed significantly to intellectual formation as a lecturer in Religion and Philosophy, where he currently serves as a lecturer in the Department of Philosophy.
The accomplished scholar holds an Integrated Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Licence in Philosophy, and in Philosophy, which he obtained in 2018 from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. Additionally, he bagged a Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil), a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (B.A.), a Bachelor of Theology in Divinity (B.Th), and a Master of Arts in Philosophy, Master of Arts in Religion.
It is expected that the new rector would inject new energy into the institution in the formation of priests and religious leaders for the Church in Nigeria and the universal Church.
Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Aloysius Ezeoba, 22nd Rector of Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu.
In a related development, Rev. Fr. Dr. Dimkpa Anthony Chidozie has also been appointed Rector of Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Ariam, Umuahia, on 16th May, 2026.
Born on 7th August 1972, the indigene of Ndiakata, Obingwa L. G. A, Abia State, Nigeria, is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Aba.
Following his First School Leaving Certificate in 1984, he attended Annunciation Seminary, Amaudara (1984-1986) and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Ahiaeke-Umuahia (1986-1990) respectively.
The cleric who went to Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri, an affiliate institute of Pontifical Urban University Rome, 1993-2001) holds two Doctorates in Dogmatic Theology, STD, (2006 – 2008) and in Philosophy, Ph.D., (2016) IMS University, Owerri.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Dimkpa Anthony Chidozie newly appointed Rector of Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Ariam, Umuahia.
He studied at Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum, where he had his Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology (STL) (2004 – 2006), and holds a Masters in Philosophy (2016) IMS University, Owerri.
The priest has various degrees in Philosophical Studies (1993-1997), Bachelor of Philisophy Urban University, Rome, Bachelor of Theological Studies (1997-2001), Bachelor of Divinity, Urban University, Rome, Religious Education 1997-2001 and Bachelor of Arts from Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Ordained for Aba Diocese on 29th June, 2001, Fr. Dimkpa held various responsibilities, including pastor, St. Jude’s Parish, Ohuru, Aba, Abia State (2001- 2003), Lecturer, Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri – Imo State, Nigeria (2013 – 2023), and spent his Sabbatical Leave in the Diocese of Catanzaro, Italy (2023 till 2024).
This appointment comes after rendering service in the seminary for 13 years, during which time he was Librarian, coordinator of the Latin Diploma for the province, and lectured on Dogma in the theology Department and Metaphysics in the philosophy Department of the Seat of Wisdom Seminary, which was established in 1982.
