ASABA-BENIN, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF - The mission, entrusted to the Society of African Missions of Lyon, originated from the Apostolic Prefecture of Upper Niger, which took the name of Western Nigeria (1911) and was elevated to a vicariate on 24 August 1918. After a portion of its territory was detached in 1911 to create the Prefecture of Total Nigeria, another vast region was annexed to the same prefecture; two areas were ceded in 1943, establishing the Prefecture of Ondo-Ilorin.
The territory covers approximately 30,000 sq. km. and has a total population of about 1,200,000 inhabitants, of whom over 1,000,000 are pagans, about 200,000 Muslims, about 36,000 Catholics, and 42,000 Protestants. Personnel: 42 foreign priests, including 4 indigenous ones, and 14 sisters. Evangelization, following in the footsteps of the pioneers, the Apostolic Prefects J. Poirier (1884–93) and C. Zappa (1894–1919), progresses among various linguistic groups (Etsako, Sobo, Ibo, Kwane, etc.), supported by a well-organized school system: 249 elementary schools with 28,000 pupils; 55 secondary schools with 2,439 pupils; and 3 normal schools with 200 pupils. There is a major seminary in Benin City.