Strategic Planning in Denominational Headquarters: A Study of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion

This study assesses the extent to which strategic planning principles are applied in the administrative operations of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion at its denominational headquarters and selected provincial offices. As Nigeria's largest Protestant denomination by membership, the Church of Nigeria administers a vast network of dioceses, educational institutions, and health facilities, requiring sophisticated organisational planning. Using a qualitative case study design, data are gathered through semi-structured interviews with twenty senior administrators at the Church of Nigeria's national secretariat in Abuja and four provincial offices in Enugu, Lagos, Kaduna, and Uyo. Internal planning documents, strategic frameworks, and annual reports are also reviewed. Findings indicate that while strategic planning concepts are rhetorically embraced, their application remains ad hoc and largely disconnected from empirical data, stakeholder consultation, or systematic programme evaluation. Planning cycles are frequently disrupted by episcopal changes, funding constraints, and the conflation of administrative authority with theological authority. The study recommends the adoption of a five-year strategic planning model with clearly defined outcomes, monitoring indicators, and stakeholder review processes, and calls for the recruitment of trained administrators with nonprofit management credentials into senior church offices. Keywords: strategic planning, Anglican Communion, denominational administration, Nigeria, organisational management