Otuekong Ukut: Cleric, lawyer, ‘Billionaire Bishop’ taking helm in Calabar

By Stanley Ihedigbo

There are men whose names become associated with particular seasons in the history of an institution. For the Methodist Church Nigeria, the name Rt. Rev. Dr. Barr. Otuekong Ukut has increasingly become associated with a journey of ecclesiastical service, leadership and institutional development.

Now Archbishop-elect of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Archdiocese of Calabar, Otuekong Ukut’s emergence represents another major milestone in a ministerial journey that has seen him rise from the ranks of church service to become the pioneer Bishop of Atamunu Diocese and, subsequently, a leading figure in the Methodist hierarchy.

His journey into the episcopacy was particularly significant because he became the pioneer Bishop of the Atamunu Diocese, following the creation of the Diocese out of the former Calabar Diocese.

The development marked an important moment in the history of Methodist Church Nigeria in Cross River State, which consequently became home to three dioceses: Calabar, Atamunu and Ikom.

Pioneer Bishop of Atamunu Diocese
In August 2022, the Methodist Conference selected Otuekong Ukut as the pioneer Bishop of the newly created Atamunu Diocese.

The decision was later formalised with the inauguration of the Diocese and his enthronement as its pioneer Bishop on May 7, 2023.

The elevation was described at the time as recognition of his meritorious contributions to the growth of the Church.

The inauguration was conceived as a major ecclesiastical celebration, bringing together church leaders, men and women of faith and guests from different denominations.

Speaking ahead of the 2023 ceremony, Otuekong described the programme as a “Trinity Service”, explaining that the occasion would combine the inauguration of the Diocese, his enthronement as pioneer Bishop and the presentation of the Lay President, Elder Dr. Gabriel Inyang.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity to showcase some of the physical and institutional developments associated with the new Diocese.

Among the projects listed for commissioning were the Bishop’s office, Favour Shopping Complex and a school block at 97 Atamunu Street, as well as projects at the permanent site of Susan Away Secondary School.

A foundation stone was also laid for the Bishop’s Court, which was then under construction.

These projects reflected the broader role expected of a modern church leadership—not only spiritual administration, but also the development of institutions and facilities capable of supporting education, commerce, administration and community engagement.

Building a new diocese

The creation of Atamunu Diocese represented more than an administrative restructuring of the Methodist Church in Cross River State.

It was an opportunity to establish a new ecclesiastical structure with its own identity, leadership and institutional framework.

As the pioneer Bishop, Otuekong Ukut was therefore entrusted with the responsibility of laying the foundation upon which succeeding generations of Methodist leadership would build.

That responsibility required vision, organisation, commitment and the ability to mobilise both clergy and laity around a common mission.

His role involved not merely occupying an episcopal office, but helping to establish the structures, programmes and institutional culture of a new Diocese.

It is this chapter of his ministry that now provides an important background to his emergence as Archbishop-elect of the Archdiocese of Calabar.

A Cleric With a Professional Background
Otuekong Ukut’s profile also reflects the intersection of religious ministry and professional training.

As a lawyer and clergyman, he brings to church leadership a combination of theological and professional perspectives.

His legal background is particularly relevant in an era when religious institutions increasingly have to navigate complex questions of governance, accountability, property administration, institutional management and social responsibility.

At the same time, his ecclesiastical experience places him within the spiritual and pastoral traditions of the Methodist Church Nigeria.

The combination has helped shape a leadership profile that extends beyond the pulpit to administration, institutional development and engagement with the wider community.

The ‘Billionaire Bishop’

Interestingly, the Bishop has also been described by friends and associates as the “Billionaire Bishop”, a sobriquet that attracted attention during his emergence as the pioneer Bishop of Atamunu Diocese.

But beyond the nickname, his public profile within the Methodist Church has been defined by his involvement in church development and his leadership responsibilities.

The projects associated with the establishment of Atamunu Diocese provided a practical expression of the importance of institutional development in strengthening the work of the Church.

For a new Diocese, facilities such as offices, schools, commercial projects and residential infrastructure are not merely physical structures. They provide the foundation for administration, education, pastoral work and long-term growth.

From Atamunu to the Archbishopric
The progression from pioneer Bishop of Atamunu Diocese to Archbishop-elect of the Calabar Archdiocese is a significant movement in Otuekong Ukut’s ecclesiastical career.

As Archbishop-elect, he is stepping into a wider sphere of responsibility.
While his earlier assignment involved the task of establishing and leading a newly created Diocese, the Archbishopric comes with responsibility for providing broader leadership within the Archdiocese and contributing to the direction of the Methodist Church’s mission in the region.

The new position will require him to work with bishops, ministers, lay leaders, congregations and other stakeholders in strengthening the Church’s spiritual and institutional mission.

It will also place him in a position where his experience in building structures and leading a young Diocese can become valuable to the wider Methodist family.

A new season for Calabar

For the Methodist Church Nigeria, the emergence of a new Archbishop-elect is an important moment of transition and expectation.

The Archdiocese of Calabar has a long ecclesiastical history and a significant presence within the Christian community in Cross River State.

The leadership before Archbishop-elect Ukut has contributed to the development of the Archdiocese, while the new administration will inherit both achievements and responsibilities.

For Otuekong Ukut, therefore, the Archbishopric is not simply another title. It is a new call to service.

His experience as the pioneer Bishop of Atamunu Diocese means that he comes into the new assignment with first-hand knowledge of the demands of episcopal leadership, institutional development and the mobilisation of the Church’s human and material resources.

Looking ahead

As he prepares to assume the responsibilities of Archbishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Archdiocese of Calabar, attention will naturally turn to the priorities that will define his tenure.

Questions of evangelism, discipleship, pastoral care, youth development, education, social responsibility, institutional growth and unity within the Church will remain important.

So too will be the need for the Church to continue engaging positively with the wider society.

The story of Otuekong Ukut’s ministry is therefore still being written.

From his service within the Methodist Church, to his selection as pioneer Bishop of Atamunu Diocese in 2022, his enthronement in 2023 and now his emergence as Archbishop-elect of Calabar, the trajectory points to a continuing journey of responsibility.

For the Methodist faithful in Calabar, the expectation will be that the experience gained from building a Diocese from its foundation will translate into purposeful leadership at the Archdiocesan level.

And for Rt. Rev. Dr. Barr. Otuekong Ukut, the next chapter presents another opportunity to demonstrate that ecclesiastical leadership is ultimately measured not by the grandeur of the office, but by the lives touched, institutions strengthened, and the faith sustained through service.

His journey from pioneer Bishop of Atamunu to Archbishop-elect of Calabar is, in many respects, a story of progression—from building a new Diocese to taking on a broader responsibility within the Methodist Church Nigeria.

Ihedigbo, A Methodist Church Nigeria Minister and Managing Director/Editor- In-Chief, The Mirror Newspaper