“Nigeria, be strengthened and encouraged to remain true to the faith!”
strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.(Acts 14:22,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Africa
Population | 220 million
Area | 923,768㎢, Located on the Atlantic coast of western Africa.
Capital City | Abuja (capital, 3.84 million people)
People Groups | Total 538 groups, Yoruba 19.7%, Hausa 17%, Igbo 14.6%, Fulani 8.9%, Kanuri 3.7%, Ibibio 3%, Tiv 2.2%, Ijaw 2.3%
Unreached People Groups | 91 groups (31.4% of the population)
Official Language(s) | English
Total Languages | 538
Bible Translations | Completed 50, New Testament 79, Partial 107
Religion | Christianity 51.2% (Protestant 10%, Catholic 16%), Islam 43.2%, Ethnic religion 5.2%, Evangelicals 25.8% (56.79 million people)
》 About Nigeria 2
Since the introduction of Christianity in 1842, Nigeria has experienced rapid church growth and has emerged as a leading missionary-sending nation. Over the past 150 years, it has sent 8,944 missionaries to 56 countries around the world. In 2005, the Nigeria Evangelical Missionary Association (NEMA) launched the “Vision 5015” strategy, aiming to mobilize 50,000 missionaries over 15 years to reach 34 unreached countries with the gospel. As a result, by 2020, Nigerian missionaries had been sent to 31 of those countries—excluding Iran, Western Sahara, and Yemen. As of 2022, 15,678 Nigerian missionaries are serving in 197 countries through 154 missionary organizations affiliated with NEMA, while major denominations continue to engage actively in global missions. Although Vision 5015 has officially ended, its legacy and spirit live on. Despite facing severe Islamic persecution—ranking 7th on the 2025 Christian Persecution Index—the Nigerian church remains resilient, drawing strength from its faith and continuing to grow. In the face of such trials, the Nigerian church stands firm as a vital force in the global evangelization movement.
》 Scripture Focus
| Acts 14:21-28(NIV) 21. They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22. strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders[a] for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 .After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25. and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26. From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples. |
》 Prayer Points
1. About two-thirds of Nigeria’s population lives below the absolute poverty line, surviving on less than $2 per day. The country faces widespread shortages in housing, healthcare, clean water, and sanitation. Amid these hardships, a growing number of Nigerians are seeking to emigrate in search of better opportunities, leading to the emergence of the term “japa syndrome” (from the Yoruba word meaning “run away” or “escape”). The country is also experiencing a severe shortage of medical personnel, as doctors and nurses leave for the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and wealthier Middle Eastern nations in pursuit of higher wages and better working conditions. According to the 2021 Nigerian Social Cohesion Survey, 73% of Nigerians expressed a desire to emigrate. In this seemingly hopeless situation, let us pray first for unwavering faith in God, that people may look after their neighbors in need and seek the guidance of the Lord, the Master of their lives.
2. Among Nigeria’s unreached Muslim groups, the Hausa people make up 17% of the population—about 35.77 million people—primarily residing in the northern region, where the evangelization rate is only 0.15%. Due to the presence of Boko Haram, foreign missionaries are unable to enter these areas for safety reasons, thus Nigerian missionaries are mainly active there. A survey conducted over the past 20 years revealed that 168 ethnic groups have yet to be exposed to the gospel due to the absence of residential ministries, indigenous churches, and translated Bibles. Among These groups, 26 groups do not have even a single church.
Let us pray that God will pour out His mercy and compassion on those who have not yet heard the gospel and send His witnesses so that worshiping communities may be established among all people groups.
Islam has a strong influence in nine northern states and parts of four others, where Sharia law is enforced. Christian education is banned, and churches are being destroyed. Pray that God will raise up those who will boldly and gently share the gospel with those still groaning in the darkness of Islam. Let us also pray that those who have come to Christ from a Muslim background will stand firm in their faith and remain steadfast in the hope of entering the Kingdom of God, even amid great tribulations.
3. As of 2022, through the Vision 5015 plan, 15,678 missionaries from 154 Nigerian missionary organizations have been sent to 197 countries around the world, spreading the gospel. With 180 years of Christian history, the Nigerian church is fully committed to evangelizing Africa and the world while accelerating missions to unreached people groups.
For the future of Nigerian missions, more efficient preparation is needed to mobilize and train young people as missionaries. More than 2,000 Nigerian missionaries (as of 2010) serving in West Africa are facing significant challenges, particularly in financial support and their children’s education.
Let us pray that these missionaries will entrust their families and ministries entirely to the Lord, remaining unwavering in obedience as they testify to all that God has done and how He has opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
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