The Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) is a tertiary educational institution in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It is a higher ecclesiastical institute of the Catholic Church and remains the leading theological facility in West Africa.^[1]

Established in 1981, the institute opened its doors with 8 students, 8 academic and administrative staff with Monsignor Stephen Ezeanya as its first rector. Ezeanya was later appointed as Archbishop of Onitsha. In 1982, the institute relocated to its present site at 2nd Artillery, Rumuibekwe. Its current proprietor is the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA).

According to the institution's website, the Catholic Institute of West Africa has "assisted thousands of students in discovering and nurturing their call to Christian service, gaining a deeper understanding of Christianity and religion, and its role in a changing world." In September 2014, CIWA regained possession of its campus at Obehie in Abia State. The campus had been temporarily used by Veritas University prior to its permanent relocation that year.^[2]

At the administrative level, the institute consists of the following members:

• Rector: Very Rev. Msgr. Prof. Sylvanus I. Udoidem
• Registrar: Rev. Fr. P. I. Okonkwo
• Bursar: Peter Agada
• Librarians: Kelechi Victor Aguocha, Grace O. Nnodim
• Library Assistant: Mr. Samuel Wada
• Library Attendants: Mr. Azuka ThankGod C. and Mrs. Elochukwu