Matthew Hassan Kukah is a renowned Catholic Priest, Human Rights Activist and the current Bishop of Sokoto Diocese.
Kukah was born on 31 August, 1952 in Anchuna, Ikulu Chiefdom in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State to Pa Vincent and Mama Hauwa Kukah.
Mathew Kukah’s Educational Background
He had his primary education at St. Fidelis Primary School, Zagom. He proceeded to St. Joseph Minor Seminary, Zaria and later to St. Augustine Major Seminary, Jos, Plateau State, where he studied Philosophy and Theology.
Kukah was ordained a Catholic Priest on 19th December, 1976 of the Gidan Bako Catholic Mission in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area. The ordination mass was coordinated by His Grace, Archbishop Emeritus, Peter Jatau, Rev Fr J.C. Murphy and Rev Fr J. Obrien.
After his ordination, Mathew Kukah went to the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a Diploma in Religious Studies. He went further to have a Bachelor of Divinity at the Urban University of Rome in 1976, a Master’s degree in Peace Studies at the University of Bradford, United Kingdom in 1980 and a PhD at the famous London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in 1990 respectively.
Kukah also studied at the famous St. Anthony’s College, University of Oxford as a Senior Rhodes fellow from 2002 to 2003, then at the prestigious Kennedy School of Government (KSG), Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, as an Edward Mason Fellow, where he bagged an MA in Public Policy in 2004.
The brilliant man of God has since recorded unmeasurable achievements.
Between 2007 and 2009, he worked in the committee for electoral reform set up by the Nigerian government.
Between 1999 and 2001 he served as a member of the Nigerian Investigation Commission of Human Rights Violations.
In addition to his work as a parish priest of Saint Andrews’s Parish in Kakuri, Kaduna from 2004 until his nomination as bishop, he was secretary of the National Political Reform Conference (2005) and from 2005 onwards he has been serving as the chairman of the Ogoni-Shell Reconciliation.
Matthew Hassan Kukah is the current Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto.
In December 2020, Pope Francis appointed him as a member of the Dicastery on Integral Human Development.
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah is indeed a man to be celebrated; the blessings of his priesthood, the benefits of his kindness, and his boundless passion for justice and a better society.
Kukah is one of the very few men of God in Nigeria who tell the truth whether political, economic or social. He has spent his life touching other people’s lives positively and helping millions not only in Nigeria but across the globe through his vocal and outstanding voice. In addition, his power-packed homilies, wise counsels and spiritual guidance have transformed the lives of many people.
Bishop Kukah is also a human rights activist and fiery writer, with most of his works centering on gripping clinical analysts of the Nigerian condition.
At over 70 years of age, Kukah is still a force to reckon with in the scheme of things. His force of his personality, the unabated passion of his calling and the all-round vigour with which he approaches national issues and life in general, totally belie his age. Such vigour and vitality can only come from God Almighty.
A prolific writer of several books and articles, most notably: Religion, Politics and Power in Northern Nigeria (published in 1993), centres on religious politics of Northern Nigeria. The book earned him an Honorary Noma commendation in 1994.
Other Bisphop Kukah’s brilliant publications include: Religious Revivalism in Nigeria, The Shattered Microcosm, The Collapse of the Moral Order in Africa, The Mustard Seed (volumes 1-5), Towards a Just Democratic Nigeria, The Catholic Church and Politics in Nigeria, Whistling in the Dark, The Church and the Politics of Social Responsibilities and many others.
Bishop Kukah is blessed with the values of humility, contentment, discipline, courage and moral uprightness and above all, down to earth, but dignified. Yes! He is courageous, courteous, humble and kind.
Bishop Kukah is an embodiment of a true priest who has taken on the person of Christ, using his voice to speak of God, his feet to hasten to the help of fellow man and his hands to bless. Kukah is indeed a true man of God.
An evangelist and a servant of God, Bishop Kukah headed Parishes as a distinguished and committed servant of God. He has also trained and mentored several priests across board.
He served as Parish Priest and was part of the Catholic Secretariat as Deputy General Secretary and later General Secretary.
He is also the brain behind two sets of composed prayers; first, a prayer against bribery and corruption and second, a prayer for Nigeria in distress during military dictatorship.
Kukah has held several pastoral positions. He was appointed Vicar General, before his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI as Bishop of Sokoto Diocese in 2011.
In December 2020, Pope Francis appointed him as a member of the Dicastery on Integral Human Development.
Bishop Kukah took several risks and endured many perils in his move for a betterment of Nigeria. The outspoken servant of God has on several occasions survived the oppressive rules of military in Nigeria as well as relentless engagements with the media members of the academic and the civil society.
The Kukah Centre, he established, is one of Africa’s leading think-tanks geared to guide the continent towards attaining true democracy and democratic governance.
Bishop Kukah has been in the forefront in addressing burning issues in Nigeria, some of which are June 12 saga, advocacy for the Ogoni people, of which Ken Saro Wiwa and eight others were still executed by the state and many others.
Inspite of these, Kukah has remained undaunted. He has made significant contributions towards the sustainable peace and stability of Nigeria.
He served in the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (the Oputa Panel), the National Political Reforms Conference and the Ogoni-Shell Mediation initiative under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Bishop Mathew Kukah was also active in the Electoral Reform Committee set up by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and the committee inaugurated by Northern state governors on the security challenges in the region, along with many more initiatives like the National Peace Committee.
These are few of the many shining achievements in the life of Bishop Mathew Kukah.
Bishop Mathew Kukah is one of the highly celebrated figures in the entire African continent, perhaps, can only be compared to late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Thus, the popular saying that ‘great men are not born; God Himself moulds them into greatness with His mighty hand’ is an emphatic truth, of which Bishop Mathew Kukah is one.
Bishop Mathew Kukah’s Net Worth
Bishop Mathew Kukah is a simple and dedicated Priest, down to earth, whose primary goal is not to amass wealth for himself. He is a true servant of God, author, preacher, teacher, administrator, social commentator and activist whose wealth cannot be quantified in his service to God and humanity. He has an estimated net worth of over $2 million dollars.
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