ASABA-BENIN, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. - The mission, entrusted to the Society for African Missions of Lyons, originated from the apostolic prefecture of Upper Niger, which took the name of Western Nigeria (1911) and was raised to a vicariate on 24 Aug. 1918. After part of its territory had been detached in 1911 for the creation of the prefecture of Eastern Nigeria, another very extensive region was annexed to the same prefecture; two areas were ceded in 1943, when the prefecture of Ondo-Iforin was erected.
The area of the territory is approximately 30,000 sq. km., and the total population approximately 1,200,000 inhabitants, of whom over 1,000,000 are pagans, approximately 200,000 Muslims, approximately 36,000 Catholics, and 42,000 Protestants. Personnel: 42 foreign priests, with 4 indigenous priests, and 14 nuns. Evangelization, following in the footsteps of the pioneers, the apostolic prefects J. Poirier (1884-93) and C. Zappa (1894-1919), is progressing among the various linguistic groups (Etsako, Sobo, Ibo, Kwane, etc.), supported by a sound school organization: 249 elementary schools with 28,000 pupils; 55 secondary schools with 2,439 pupils; 3 teacher-training schools with 200 pupils. There is a major seminary at Benin City.