Christianity in Nigeria: Difference between revisions
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Christians in Nigeria comprise between 50%<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html CIA The World Factbook - Nigeria]</ref> and 67.4%<ref>https://www.nigeriabusinessfile.com/information/people/religion</ref><ref name="Pew Forum on Religion">[http://features.pewforum.org/grl/population-percentage.php Pew Forum on Religion]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Features.pewforum.org (18 December 2012). Retrieved on 9 October 2013.</ref><ref name="Pew2011">{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2011 |title=Global Christianity: Regional Distribution of Christians |url=http://www.pewforum.org/2011/12/19/global-christianity-regions/ |publisher=Pew Research Center |accessdate=August 11, 2013}}</ref> of the population. Christians are dominant in the southern and [[Middle Belt|central]] region in Nigeria. According to the [[Pew Research Center]], Nigeria has the largest Christian population of any country in Africa, with more than 85 million persons in Nigeria belonging to the church with various denominations.<ref name="Pew2011"/> The numbers of Christians in Nigeria has grown from 21.4% in 1953 to 49.3% in 2010.<ref name="Pew Forum on Religion"/> |
Christians in Nigeria comprise between 50%<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html CIA The World Factbook - Nigeria]</ref> and 67.4%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nigeriabusinessfile.com/information/people/religion |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-07-16 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717182402/https://www.nigeriabusinessfile.com/information/people/religion |archivedate=2014-07-17 |df= }}</ref><ref name="Pew Forum on Religion">[http://features.pewforum.org/grl/population-percentage.php Pew Forum on Religion]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Features.pewforum.org (18 December 2012). Retrieved on 9 October 2013.</ref><ref name="Pew2011">{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2011 |title=Global Christianity: Regional Distribution of Christians |url=http://www.pewforum.org/2011/12/19/global-christianity-regions/ |publisher=Pew Research Center |accessdate=August 11, 2013}}</ref> of the population. Christians are dominant in the southern and [[Middle Belt|central]] region in Nigeria. According to the [[Pew Research Center]], Nigeria has the largest Christian population of any country in Africa, with more than 85 million persons in Nigeria belonging to the church with various denominations.<ref name="Pew2011"/> The numbers of Christians in Nigeria has grown from 21.4% in 1953 to 49.3% in 2010.<ref name="Pew Forum on Religion"/> |
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[[File:Assumpta Cathedral Owerri.jpg|thumb|Assumpta Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church in Owerri]] |
[[File:Assumpta Cathedral Owerri.jpg|thumb|Assumpta Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church in Owerri]] |
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Since the introduction of [[Sharia]] penal law in some of the [[Northern Nigeria|Northern states]], violence towards non-Muslims has increased in the North.<ref name="Ismene Zarifis 2002">{{cite web | author= Ismene Zarifis| year=2002| title=Human Rights Brief: Rights of Religious Minorities in Nigeria | work= | url=http://www.wcl.american.edu/hrbrief/10/1nigeria.cfm}}</ref> In spite of this, a 2015 study estimates some 600,000 believers in Christ are from a Muslim background living in the country.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Johnstone|first1=Patrick|last2=Miller|first2=Duane Alexander|title=Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: A Global Census|journal=IJRR|date=2015|volume=11|page=14|url=https://www.academia.edu/16338087/Believers_in_Christ_from_a_Muslim_Background_A_Global_Census|accessdate=20 November 2015}}</ref> |
Since the introduction of [[Sharia]] penal law in some of the [[Northern Nigeria|Northern states]], violence towards non-Muslims has increased in the North.<ref name="Ismene Zarifis 2002">{{cite web | author= Ismene Zarifis| year=2002| title=Human Rights Brief: Rights of Religious Minorities in Nigeria | work= | url=http://www.wcl.american.edu/hrbrief/10/1nigeria.cfm}}</ref> In spite of this, a 2015 study estimates some 600,000 believers in Christ are from a Muslim background living in the country.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Johnstone|first1=Patrick|last2=Miller|first2=Duane Alexander|title=Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: A Global Census|journal=IJRR|date=2015|volume=11|page=14|url=https://www.academia.edu/16338087/Believers_in_Christ_from_a_Muslim_Background_A_Global_Census|accessdate=20 November 2015}}</ref> |
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Christians in Nigeria comprise between 50%[1] and 67.4%[2][3][4] of the population. Christians are dominant in the southern and central region in Nigeria. According to the Pew Research Center, Nigeria has the largest Christian population of any country in Africa, with more than 85 million persons in Nigeria belonging to the church with various denominations.[4] The numbers of Christians in Nigeria has grown from 21.4% in 1953 to 49.3% in 2010.[3]
Since the introduction of Sharia penal law in some of the Northern states, violence towards non-Muslims has increased in the North.[5] In spite of this, a 2015 study estimates some 600,000 believers in Christ are from a Muslim background living in the country.[6]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) announced creation of new Owerri mission in Nigeria in 2016.[7]
Denominations
| Christian denominations in Nigeria |
|---|
Roman Catholicism in Nigeria
The Catholic Church has a large and growing following in Nigeria. In 2005, there were an estimated 19 million baptised Catholics in Nigeria.[8] The Archdioceses of the Roman Catholic Church are: Abuja, Benin City, Calabar, Ibadan, Jos, Kaduna, Lagos, Onitsha, Owerri and Sokoto.[9] Cardinal Francis Arinze is a Roman Catholic Cardinal from Nigeria.[10]
Anglican Church of Nigeria
The ecclesiastical provinces of the Church of Nigeria are Lagos, Ibadan, Ondo, Edo, The Niger, Niger Delta, Owerri, Abuja, Kaduna and Jos.[11] Its primate is Nicholas Dikeriehi Orogodo Okoh.[11] The Church of Nigeria claims about 18 million members though only about 2 million may be active.[12]
Nigerian Baptist Convention
The Nigerian Baptist Convention has about 6 million baptized members.[13]
Presbyterian Church of Nigeria
The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria has almost 4,000 000 members in thousands of congregations mainly in Nigeria, but has regional Presbytery in Togo as well as in Benin. It was founded in the mid-1800s, by ministers of the Church of Scotland. It is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.
Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ
The Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ was formed in Nasarawa State in 8 July 1916. The church has approximately 1,5 million members.
Nontrinitarian groups
Within Nigeria, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also has a growing presence. As of January 1, 2012, the church claims more than 100,000 members in the country[14] and has established 315 congregations.[14]
In 1970, 87,000 Jehovah's Witnesses were present in Nigeria,[15] which grew to more than 360,000 by 2014.[16]
The New Apostolic Church reports for 2016 300.000 members in 1.100 congregations.
National Church of Nigeria, Abuja
The National Church of Nigeria (previously known as the Nigerian Ecumenical Centre and officially known as the National Christian Centre) is a non-denominational church building of the Christian Association of Nigeria, the umbrella body of all of Nigeria's Christian churches. The church is located in Abuja.
Anti-Christian violence by Muslims
 | This section may be unbalanced toward certain viewpoints. (November 2011) |
Since the introduction of Sharia penal law in some of the Northern states, violence towards non-Muslims has increased.[5] Relations with Muslims have been strained, killings of Christians have been rampant since at least 1999, and there have been other harsh acts committed towards them[17] The 2010 Jos riots saw clashes between Muslim herders against Christian farmers near the volatile city of Jos, resulting in hundreds of casualties on both sides.[18] Officials estimated that 500 people were massacred in night-time raids by rampaging Muslim gangs.[19]
In March 2010 the clashes resulted in the death of at least 200 people, most of them Christians. In similar clashes in 2008, more than 300 were killed.[20] Also, on Christmas Day in 2011, the Islamist sect Boko Haram bombed a catholic church near the nation's capital Abuja killing over 30 people. The BBC reported that on Christmas Eve 2012 six Christians were killed and their church burned down. No group had claimed responsibility for the attack but the broadcaster drew comparisons with similar attacks carried out by Boko Haram at the same time in 2011.[21]
Christian population by state
| Reigion | State | Population | Christians % | Christian population | Total region | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern states | 1- Sokoto | 3,696,999 | 0.4% | 14,788 | 4.211% | |
| 2- Zamfara | 3,259,846 | 0.4% | 13,039 | |||
| 3- Jigawa | 4,348,649 | 0.8% | 34,789 | |||
| 4- Kano | 9,383,682 | 1.1% | 103,220 | |||
| 5- Yobe | 2,321,591 | 1% | 23,216 | |||
| 6-Katsina | 5,792,578 | 0.4% | 23,170 | |||
| 7- Borno | 4,151,193 | 2% | 83,024 | |||
| 8- Kebbi | 3,238,628 | 0.4% | 12,954 | |||
| 9- Bauchi | 4,676,465 | 1.6% | 74,823 | |||
| 10- Gombe | 2,353,879 | 6.2% | 145,940 | |||
| 11- Niger | 3,950,249 | 4% | 158,010 | |||
| 12- Kaduna | 6,066,562 | 20% | 1,213,312 | |||
| Central states | 13- Kogi | 3,278,487 | 15% | 491,773 | 29,665% | |
| 14- Abuja | 1,405,201 | 20% | 281,040 | |||
| 15- Adamawa | 3,168,101 | 10% | 315,810 | |||
| 16- Nasarawa | 1,863,275 | 13.8% | 257,132 | |||
| 17- Taraba | 2,300,736 | 13.7% | 315,201 | |||
| 18- Plateau | 3,178,712 | 70% | 2,225,098 | |||
| 19- Benue | 4,219,244 | 53.4% | 2,253,076 | |||
| 20 - Kwara | 2,371,089 | 13,6% | 322,468 | |||
| Western States | 21-Oyo | 5,591,589 | 30% | 1,677,477 | 51,376% | |
| 22- Ogun | 3,728,098 | 35% | 1,304,834 | |||
| 23- Osun | 3,423,535 | 30% | 1,727,060 | |||
| 24- Lagos | 9,013,534 | 35% | 3,154,737 | |||
| 25- Ondo | 3,441,024 | 78,2% | 2,690,881 | |||
| 26- Ekiti | 2,384,212 | 79% | 1,883,527 | |||
| 27- Edo | 3,218,332 | 58,2% | 1,873,069 | |||
| 28- Delta | 4,098,391 | 80% | 3,278,713 | |||
| Southern States | 29-Anambra | 4,182,032 | 85% | 3,554,727 | 89,645% | |
| 30- Enugu | 3,257,298 | 89% | 2,898,995 | |||
| 31- Cross River | 2,888,966 | 82% | 2,368,952 | |||
| 32- Ebonyi | 2,173,501 | 90% | 1,956,151 | |||
| 33- Rivers | 5,185,400 | 90.4% | 4,687,602 | |||
| 34- Abia | 2,833,999 | 91.3% | 2,587,441 | |||
| 35- Akwa Ibom | 3,920,208 | 95,8% | 3,755,559 | |||
| 36- Bayelsa | 1,703,358 | 90% | 1,533,022 | |||
| 37- Imo | 3,934,899 | 90% | 3,541,409 | |||
| total | 140,003,542 | 37,2391% | 52,836,039 |
See also
- Islam in Nigeria
- National Church of Nigeria
- Nigerian sectarian violence
- Protestantism in Nigeria
- Roman Catholicism in Nigeria
- List of notable pastors in Nigeria
- Statewise
References
- ^ CIA The World Factbook - Nigeria
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-07-17. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b Pew Forum on Religion[permanent dead link]. Features.pewforum.org (18 December 2012). Retrieved on 9 October 2013.
- ^ a b "Global Christianity: Regional Distribution of Christians". Pew Research Center. December 19, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
- ^ a b Ismene Zarifis (2002). "Human Rights Brief: Rights of Religious Minorities in Nigeria".
- ^ Johnstone, Patrick; Miller, Duane Alexander (2015). "Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: A Global Census". IJRR. 11: 14. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ^ "Mormon Church announces in missions in Vietnam and Africa".
- ^ Timberg, Craig (2005-04-17). "Washington Post". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
- ^ "Current Dioceses in Nigeria (Catholic Hierarchy)".
- ^ Carroll, Rory (2003-10-03). "The Guardian profile: Cardinal Francis Arinze". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
- ^ a b "Site of the Church of Nigeria".
- ^ Gledhill, Ruth. "Anglican membership figures could be out by millions". christianitytoday.com. Christianity Today. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ "Site of the Nigerian Baptist Convention".
- ^ a b "LDS Newsroom- country information- Nigeria". Newsroom.lds.org. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ "DER SPIEGEL 46/1972 - Dunkle Zeit". Spiegel.de. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
- ^ 2015 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Society. p. 184.
- ^ Malkin, Michelle (2006-02-19). "Muslims Kill Christians In Nigeria". Michelle Malkin. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
- ^ "Nigeria violence: Muslim-Christian clashes kill hundreds". CSMonitor.com. 2010-03-08. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
- ^ Clayton, Jonathan; Gledhill, Ruth (2010-03-08). "500 butchered in Nigeria killing fields". The Times. London. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
- ^ "Machete-wielding rioters kill 200 in Nigeria - World news - Africa". msnbc.com. 2010-03-08. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
- ^ Nigeria gunmen 'kill at least six Christians' in Yobe, BBC News, 25 December 2012 [1]