The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has named Rosemary K. Chibota as president of its global Primary organization, marking the first time an African leader has been chosen to lead the church’s worldwide program for children. The announcement, made April 4, 2026, also named Nina M. Garfield as first counselor and Theresa A. Collins as second counselor in the new three-member presidency.
The Primary organization oversees religious education and activities for the church’s youngest members. The new presidency will be responsible for guiding curriculum, programming and training for Primary leaders and teachers across the church’s global network. A photograph released with the announcement shows, from left to right, Nina M. Garfield, Rosemary K. Chibota and Theresa A. Collins.
Chibota’s selection as president is being framed by church observers as a milestone in the institution’s evolving leadership profile. The appointment is the most visible example yet of increased geographic diversity among top volunteer leaders in the faith, which has grown substantially outside the United States in recent decades. Church officials did not provide biographical details in the initial announcement beyond the new roles.
Garfield and Collins will serve alongside Chibota as counselors, forming the presidency that sets policy and direction for the Primary program. The counselors assist the president in planning worldwide initiatives, advising in curriculum development and representing Primary in official church forums and events. The trio will work with regional and local Primary leaders to implement church-wide priorities for the education and welfare of children.
The Primary presidency change is part of routine leadership realignments that occur periodically in the church’s general organization. The church typically announces new general presidencies and other senior volunteer assignments through official channels and local congregations. This latest change stands out for its historic dimension: an African woman at the head of a major global auxiliary organization.
Members of the LDS Church in Africa and other parts of the global membership are likely to view the appointment as symbolically important, reflecting the church’s broader demographic shifts. As the church continues to expand internationally, leaders from outside North America increasingly fill roles that were once almost exclusively held by U.S.-based members. The new Primary presidency will preside over programs that affect children in congregations spanning dozens of countries and languages.
Further details about the new presidency’s plans and biographical information on Chibota, Garfield and Collins are expected to be released by the church in the coming days and weeks as the new leaders assume their duties.