Brian David Usanga

Brian David Usanga (28 October 1928 – 26 May 2005) was a Nigerian Catholic prelate who served as the bishop of Calabar from 5 February 1970 until 26 May 1994 when the diocese was elevated to an Archdiocese. He continued as the Archbishop until 17 December 2003, when he resigned.

Biography Usanga was born on 28 October 1928. He studied philosophy and theology at Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu, Nigeria. He was ordained a priest for the diocese of Calabar on 8 December 1956 and he served as the assistant secretary for Catholic education in the diocese in 1957. In 1961, he left Nigeria for the US to study. He obtained a bachelor's degree in philosophy from St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City and a master's degree from Saint Louis University in 1963. In 1966, he received his doctorate in philosophical anthropology from the Catholic University of America in Washington DC.

On 5 August 1966, Pope Paul VI appointed him as the titular bishop of Ubaba and auxiliary bishop of Calabar. He received his episcopal consecration from Archbishop Luigi Bellotti on 4 December 1966 at the Church of Christ the King in Uyo, Nigeria. Co-consecrators were James Moynagh, bishop of Calabar and Dominic Ignatius Ekandem, bishop of Ikot-Ekpene. He also served as secretary of the Nigerian Episcopal Conference.

Pope Paul VI appointed Usanga the bishop of Calabar on 5 February 1970. He later became the first Archbishop of the diocese on 26 May 1994, following the elevation. On 17 December 2003, Pope John Paul II accepted his resignation.