The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nigeria

As of December 31, 2015, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 142,033 members in 33 stakes, 19 districts, 454 congregations, five missions, and one temple in Nigeria.^[1][2]

History

In the 1950s and '60s several thousand native Nigerians became interested in joining the LDS Church, despite the Church having no formal presence in the country. An effort was made to send missionaries and establish a formal presence. However, after the Nigerian government became aware of the church policy of excluding Africans from participating in the priesthood, they made it difficult for the missionaries to obtain visas.^[3] Plans to send missionaries were postponed indefinitely.

The Church was officially established in Nigeria in 1978 after the change in priesthood policy. The first stake was organized in 1988 with David Eka as president. In 2005, the Church dedicated the Aba Nigeria Temple.

A brief history can be found at LDS Newsroom (Nigeria) or Deseret News 2010 Church Almanac (Country Information: Nigeria)

Membership History

Year	Membership[4]
1983	2,255^a
1985	5,500^b
1989	12,000^b
1995	28,000^b
1999	42,746^c
2004	68,777^c
2009	88,374^a
2012	103,898^a
2015	142,033^c

• ^a Actual Membership for January 1 of the respective year
• ^b Estimated membership for December 31 of the respective year
• ^c Actual Membership for December 31 of the respective year

Missions

• Nigeria Benin City Mission (created July 2013).^[5]
• Nigeria Calabar Mission (created July 2002).
• Nigeria Enugu Mission (created July 1992).
• Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission (created July 1988).
• Nigeria Lagos Mission (created July 1980).

Aba Nigeria Temple

On August 7, 2005 the Aba Nigeria Temple was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

	121. Aba Nigeria
	Location: Announcement: Dedication: Coordinates: Size: Style:	Aba, Abia, Nigeria 2 April 2000 7 August 2005 by Gordon B. Hinckley 5°8′51.51839″N 7°21′24.1884″E / 5.1476439972°N 7.356719000°E 11,500 sq ft (1,070 m^2) on a 6.3 acre (2.5 ha) site Classic modern, single-spire design - designed by Adeniyi Coker Consultants Limited

See also

• Religion in Nigeria
• Christianity in Nigeria

References

1. "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Nigeria", Newsroom, LDS Church, 31 December 2013, retrieved 2014-05-12
2. "Country information: Nigeria", Church News 2013 Church Almanac, Deseret News
3. Prince, Gregory. David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. p. 87.
4. "Country information: Nigeria", Deseret News Church Almanac (multiple almanacs from various years), Deseret News
5. New mission presidents by area for 2013

External links

• LDS Newsroom (Africa)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Official Site
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Visitors Site