Developing a Curriculum for Lay Theological Education in the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja

This study develops a framework for a contextually relevant lay theological education curriculum within the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja, North Central Nigeria. While ordained clergy receive formal seminary training, the vast majority of Catholics in Nigeria encounter theology only through Sunday homilies and devotional materials, leaving significant gaps in theological literacy among the laity. Using a curriculum development research design, the study draws on needs assessment surveys administered to 120 lay Catholics across six parishes in Lokoja, Kabba, and Ogori-Mangongo, supplemented by interviews with eight diocesan educators and a review of existing lay formation materials. Needs identified include basic scriptural literacy, understanding of Catholic social teaching, sacramental theology, and practical ethics for family and professional life. The proposed curriculum is structured as a two-year modular programme adaptable to parish small group formats and integrating audio-visual materials appropriate for varying literacy levels. Evaluation criteria include theological accuracy, contextual relevance, participatory methodology, and assessment alignment. The study recommends piloting the proposed curriculum in three parishes and conducting a formal impact evaluation after one year before diocesan-wide adoption. Keywords: lay education, Catholic curriculum, Diocese of Lokoja, theological literacy, adult formation