Nigeria

With a population of over two-hundred-million souls, Nigeria ranks as Africa’s most populous country. The southern half of the country is extremely lush with tropical rainforests and swamps accompanying the Niger River in its trek across the country, yet if one were to study a map of Nigeria, its most significant features would be the cities with millions of inhabitants.

This nation is composed of over two hundred different ethnic groups, each with their own culture, background, and dialect. They were united under British rule, and retain English as their official language uniting many people groups with a means of cross-tribal communication. The various tribes have very little else in common, however, and for the first forty years of their independence their government was in continual upheaval. Since that time, conditions have improved, and despite periods of unrest, Nigeria has become a much more stable nation.

Even when not represented on the political scales, this incredibly diverse nation experiences much internal tension between people groups. While they differ in culture, background, and mother tongue, the most violent conflicts have been religious. Over half the country is Muslim with the other half nearly all professing some form of Christianity. Yet, while these professing Christians struggle for their religious freedom, few actually know Christ or understand Biblical salvation.

Due to its history of unrest and to political mismanagement, Nigeria is not a prosperous nation, and many of its people are in extreme need. Some have had to flee their home areas due to local clashes between parties, others have been displaced due to natural disasters. Many Nigerians are looking for answers they cannot find in politics or even in their religious system. How desperately they need the peace only Christ can give!

Missionaries in Nigeria: