The National President of the Council of Methodist Knights, Sir Victor Etefia, KJW, has called for urgent reforms aimed at restoring the dignity of knighthood, strengthening episcopal accountability and recalibrating the connexional system of the Methodist Church Nigeria.
Sir Etefia made the call while delivering a Special Address and Goodwill Message at the 43rd Council of Bishops, currently holding at Immanuel Methodist Cathedral, Itiam Etoi, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The council, which began on Sunday, June 7, will run through Monday, June 15, 2026.
Addressing the gathering led by the Prelate of the church, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, Sir Etefia expressed gratitude to God and commended the episcopal leadership for what he described as the stabilising impact of the current “New Dawn” administration. He noted that the church had been steered away from potential institutional crises through collective sacrifice and committed leadership.
In his address, the Knights’ leader outlined three major focus areas: restoring the dignity of knighthood in the Methodist Church Nigeria, examining the state of the episcopacy, and recalibrating the church’s connexional system.
On knighthood, Sir Etefia reminded the Council that the institution was conceived as a spiritual calling rather than a ceremonial honour. He raised concerns about declining spiritual commitment among some knights and called for stricter, conference-based screening processes, deeper doctrinal orientation before investiture and sustained post-investiture mentorship. He warned against what he described as “cash-and-carry” tendencies and urged that knighthood be reserved for spiritually mature, disciplined and morally upright members.
Turning to episcopacy, the National President praised the collective leadership structure of the church but cautioned against a gradual drift from corporate episcopacy to what he termed monarchical tendencies. He advocated a comprehensive review of the operational framework of episcopal leadership, noting that periodic institutional self-examination was necessary to preserve Methodist heritage, accountability and balance.
He also called attention to the handling of disciplinary issues involving clergy, urging that discipline should be restorative as well as corrective. Sir Etefia proposed the establishment of a leadership and character reformation institute, possibly within Wesley University, to address leadership ethics, conflict management and reconciliation within the church.
On the connexional system, the Knights’ leader observed that structures originally designed to promote mutual support had, in practice, become burdensome to dioceses and local churches. He called for a thorough review, including the unbundling of offices that add little administrative or spiritual value, and recommended the setting up of a high-powered committee of retired bishops and seasoned lay leaders to reposition the church for present and future demands.
In his concluding remarks, Sir Etefia emphasised that the observations and recommendations were offered in humility and loyalty, not as criticism, but as contributions toward strengthening governance, unity and mission effectiveness in the Methodist Church Nigeria. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Council of Knights to the peace, progress and gospel mission of the church.
The 43rd Council of Bishops is expected to deliberate on key administrative, spiritual and structural issues affecting the church, with decisions aimed at deepening its influence in Nigeria and beyond.
