By Neta Nwosu
The Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria, Lagos Metropolitan Council, is set to launch a N2 billion Endowment Fund aimed at creating a sustainable financial foundation for its charitable activities.
The initiative was announced during a visit by a KSM Lagos Metro delegation, led by the Metropolitan Grand Knight, Sir Nosa Ehigiator, to the Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, at the Lagos Archdiocesan Chancery on Monday, August 30, 2026.
The Endowment Fund will be launched on September 26, 2026, at St. Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja.
Archbishop Martins welcomed the initiative as “a welcome development” for KSM and the Church, pledging to offer whatever support he could. He noted that older Churches had sustained their activities partly through investments and disclosed that the Archdiocese of Lagos was also considering similar initiatives through its Finance Council.
“It’s the way to go really,” the Archbishop said.
Explaining the rationale, Sir Ehigiator said KSM could no longer rely indefinitely on members’ contributions to finance its expanding responsibilities, particularly amid Nigeria’s economic challenges. He said excessive reliance on dues and levies could also discourage younger people from joining the organisation.
The Fund is designed as a permanent pool of invested capital, with the principal preserved and prudently invested while investment income supports approved charitable programmes. Its N2 billion target is intended to provide a lasting financial foundation for KSM Lagos Metro’s charitable mission.
Sir Ehigiator said the initiative was being pursued alongside the Endowment Fund concept at the Supreme level of KSM Nigeria, creating a sustainability framework at both levels.
He linked the initiative to growing humanitarian needs, noting that KSM’s former Feed the Hungry programme had evolved into Helping Hands as increasing numbers of people sought assistance.
“The population of the needy is growing,” he said, adding that KSM wanted greater capacity to support people with school fees, skills acquisition and other interventions, while strengthening its support for the Church.
The Fund’s priority areas include healthcare, education, assistance to widows and orphans, prison apostolate, legal aid and social justice, care for victims of violence and crime, and internal welfare.
The meeting also focused on prison decongestion and the reintegration of released inmates. Sir Ehigiator disclosed that about 1,600 prisoners in Lagos, Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode were reportedly awaiting release, highlighting the financial and social challenges involved.
Archbishop Martins said the Archdiocese had for years considered providing temporary accommodation and support for released prisoners pending their resettlement with their families. He also advocated alternatives to imprisonment, including community service, and called for continued advocacy on prison congestion.
Sir Ehigiator presented the KSM Lagos Metro Endowment Fund Donor Information Brochure to the Archbishop and sought his prayers, blessing and support. He also invited him to the September 26 launch.
The Fund provides for accountability through a Board of Trustees, Investment Committee, independent custodian, licensed fund managers, Grants and Programmes Committee, Finance and Audit Committee, and external auditors.
The initiative represents KSM Lagos Metro’s shift from short-term fundraising towards long-term financial sustainability, with the vision of ensuring that its service to the Church and society endures across generations.
“Investing Today. Sustaining the Mission. Empowering Generations.”
Other members of the delegation included Worthy Brother Emmanuel Dumuje, Chairman, Endowment Fund Committee; Sir Michael Olofinlade, Metro Secretary, KSM Lagos Metro; Lady Efe Ehikhuemen, Provost 1, Ladies of St. Mulumba (LSM), Lagos Metro, who represented the Metro President, Lady Martha Ilukpekhai; Lady Bernadette Ojo, Worthy Provost 3; and Lady Neta Nwosu, Chairperson, KSM Lagos Metro Endowment Publicity, Media & Communications Subcommittee.
