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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nigeria refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and its members in Nigeria. At year-end 1983, there were 2,255 members in Nigeria.[4] In 2022, there were 221,172 members in 769 congregations making it the largest body of LDS Church members in Africa.
In the 1950s and 1960s, several thousand native Nigerians became interested in joining the LDS Church, despite the church having no formal presence in the country. In November 1962, LeMar Williams was set apart as a mission president in Nigeria. However, he was not able to get a visa as an American. N. Eldon Tanner, a Canadian, went to Nigeria and began negotiations with the Nigerian government. While he was there, he dedicated Nigeria for the preaching of the gospel.[6]: 85 Ambrose Chukwuo, a Nigerian college student studying in California, read Mormonism and the Negro and sent a letter to a Nigerian newspaper condemning the LDS Church's teachings on blacks. The newspaper published Chukwuo's letter and the letters of other students with similar opinions. The Nigerian government did not give the LDS Church a permit to proselyte and church president David O. McKay postponed proselyting plans.[6]: 85–87 [7]: 24 In 1965, Williams obtained a visa to go to Nigeria and began preparing to set up a mission in Nigeria. Since black Nigerians couldn't hold the priesthood, Williams was going to baptize those who were ready and set up auxiliary organizations that could function without the priesthood.[6]: 91 Black Nigerians would be allowed to pass, but not bless the sacrament.[7]: 23 However, several members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles expressed concern about teaching black people and called for the program to be terminated. After a unanimous vote, they decided to end the program. They contacted Williams and told him to leave Nigeria immediately.[6]: 93 The Biafran war in 1967 further postponed church work there.[6]: 94
With the 1978 Revelation on Priesthood, plans were again begun to start the church in Nigeria. Ted Cannon and his wife, Janath, along with Rendell N. Mabey and his wife, Rachel, were sent to Nigeria, arriving in November 1978, five months after the revelation. They based their operations out of Enugu, and the first branch they organized was with Anthony Obinna as president. Most of the earliest converts they baptized were in various villages throughout south-eastern Nigeria and had been meeting and seeking church membership for years, if not decades.[8]
At first Nigeria was administered by the church's International Mission. In 1983 a Nigerian, mission was organized, which originally also covered Ghana.
In 1988, the church's first stake in Nigeria was organized in Aba, with David W. Eka as president. In 1993, the second stake in Nigeria was organized in Benin City.
In 1998, Gordon B. Hinckley became the first church president to visit Nigeria, presiding at a large meeting in Port Harcourt. In 2000, Hinckley announced plans to build a temple in Aba. The temple was dedicated by Hinckley in 2005. In 2009, the temple was closed as foreign temple worker missionaries were withdrawn due to violence in the area. The temple was reopened in 2010 with a Nigerian as temple president and all temple workers being Nigerian.
By 2018, there were over 50 stakes in Nigeria. In that year church president Russell M. Nelson announced plans to build a temple in Lagos, Nigeria. The first stake in Lagos had been organized in 1995, and in 2015 it had gone from 3 to 5 stakes. The LDS Church was still most heavily concentrated in south-east Nigeria, with Akwa Ibom State alone having 12 stakes.
Much of northern Nigeria had no LDS Church presence and many areas in mid-Nigeria had only begun to have significant organizational presence of the church in the mid-2010s.
By mid-2019 there were 58 stakes in Nigeria, with the 58th stake being the 3rd based in the capital city of Abuja. The Abuja stakes were far and away the most northern in Nigeria, with the district in Jos containing the only other units of the church even close to that far north. The growth had in some places been very fast, with Yorubaland (not including heavily Yoruba Lagos State) having gone from no stakes in 2013 to 5 by 2019.
Other states that saw significant growth were Delta State, that went from a few branches in a district outside the state in 2015 to three districts and a stake in 2019. Benue State in the more central area of the country had one branch in 2015, and did not get a district until 2017. By 2019 the state had 3 districts.
| Stake/District | Organized | Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Aba Nigeria North Stake | 15 May 1988 | Nigeria Aba |
| Aba Nigeria Ogbor Hill Stake | 3 Dec 2006 | Nigeria Aba |
| Aba Nigeria Osisioma Stake | 15 May 2022 | Nigeria Aba |
| Aba Nigeria South Stake | 6 Dec 2015 | Nigeria Aba |
| Aba Nigeria Umuola Stake | 10 Jun 2018 | Nigeria Aba |
| Abak Nigeria Stake | 6 Jun 2010 | Nigeria Aba |
| Abakaliki Nigeria Stake | 14 Sep 2014 | Nigeria Enugu |
| Abeokuta Nigeria Ibara Stake | 2 Sep 2018 | Nigeria Ibadan |
| Abeokuta Nigeria Stake | 1 Aug 1993 | Nigeria Ibadan |
| Abuja Nigeria Kubwa Stake | 29 May 2016 | Nigeria Abuja |
| Abuja Nigeria Lugbe Stake | 12 Oct 1997 | Nigeria Abuja |
| Abuja Nigeria Wuse Stake | 23 Jun 2019 | Nigeria Abuja |
| Agbor Nigeria District | 24 Nov 2013 | Nigeria Owerri |
| Akamkpa Nigeria Stake | 29 Nov 1998 | Nigeria Calabar |
| Akure Nigeria District | 18 Mar 2018 | Nigeria Ibadan |
| Asaba Nigeria Stake | 19 Mar 2006 | Nigeria Owerri |
| Awka Nigeria Stake | 24 Nov 2019 | Nigeria Owerri |
| Benin City Nigeria Ihogbe Stake | 24 Oct 1993 | Nigeria Benin City |
| Benin City Nigeria Ikpokpan Stake | 2 Mar 1997 | Nigeria Benin City |
| Benin City Nigeria New Benin Stake | 2 Sep 2007 | Nigeria Benin City |
| Benin City Nigeria Oregbeni Stake | 20 Sep 2015 | Nigeria Benin City |
| Benin City Nigeria Siluko Stake | 11 Mar 2012 | Nigeria Benin City |
| Benin City Nigeria Sokponba Stake | 18 Feb 2018 | Nigeria Benin City |
| Benin City Nigeria Ugbowo Stake | 11 Mar 2012 | Nigeria Benin City |
| Benin City Nigeria Uzebu Stake | 18 Feb 2018 | Nigeria Benin City |
| Bori Nigeria District | 18 Aug 2019 | Nigeria Port Harcourt |
| Calabar Nigeria Stake | 1 Dec 2002 | Nigeria Calabar |
| Calabar Nigeria North Stake | 3 Dec 2017 | Nigeria Calabar |
| Calabar Nigeria South Stake | 17 May 2015 | Nigeria Calabar |
| Eket Nigeria Stake | 14 Jul 1996 | Nigeria Uyo |
| Ekete Nigeria Stake | 29 Nov 2020 | Nigeria Benin City |
| Ekpoma Nigeria Stake | 6 Jun 2010 | Nigeria Benin City |
| Enugu Nigeria Stake | 25 Sep 1988 | Nigeria Enugu |
| Etinan Nigeria Stake | 22 Sep 1996 | Nigeria Uyo |
| Etinan Nigeria North Stake | 6 Mar 2016 | Nigeria Uyo |
| Gboko Nigeria District | 20 Jan 2019 | Nigeria Enugu |
| Ibadan Nigeria Stake | 3 Aug 1991 | Nigeria Ibadan |
| Ibadan Nigeria North Stake | 24 Mar 2019 | Nigeria Ibadan |
| Ibesikpo Nigeria Stake | 29 Aug 2010 | Nigeria Uyo |
| Ijebu-Ode Nigeria Stake | 20 Jun 1993 | Nigeria Ibadan |
| Ikot Akpaden Nigeria Stake | 27 Jun 1999 | Nigeria Port Harcourt |
| Ikot Akpatek Nigeria Stake | 5 Jun 2016 | Nigeria Port Harcourt |
| Ikot Ekpene Nigeria Stake | 3 May 2009 | Nigeria Aba |
| Ile-Ife Nigeria Stake | 17 Oct 1999 | Nigeria Ibadan |
| Ilorin Nigeria District | 15 Jul 2018 | Nigeria Ibadan |
| Jos Nigeria District | 14 Feb 1993 | Nigeria Abuja |
| Lagos Nigeria Agege Stake | 20 Feb 2005 | Nigeria Lagos |
| Lagos Nigeria Egbeda Stake | 22 Nov 2015 | Nigeria Lagos |
| Lagos Nigeria Festac Stake | 22 Nov 2015 | Nigeria Lagos |
| Lagos Nigeria Ikeja Stake | 23 Feb 1997 | Nigeria Lagos |
| Lagos Nigeria Ikorodu Stake | 19 Jun 2022 | Nigeria Lagos |
| Lagos Nigeria Ikotun Stake | 26 Jun 2022 | Nigeria Lagos |
| Lagos Nigeria Ojodu Stake | 24 Jun 2018 | Nigeria Lagos |
| Lagos Nigeria Yaba Stake | 15 May 2011 | Nigeria Lagos |
| Makurdi Nigeria District | 3 Sep 2017 | Nigeria Enugu |
| Mbaise Nigeria Stake | 22 Aug 2010 | Nigeria Owerri |
| Nsit Ubium Nigeria Stake | 16 Jul 2023 | Nigeria Uyo |
| Nsukka Nigeria District | 5 Jun 2016 | Nigeria Enugu |
| Nsukwa Nigeria District | 31 Mar 2019 | Nigeria Owerri |
| Ogwashi Nigeria District | 24 Nov 2013 | Nigeria Owerri |
| Ohafia Nigeria Stake | 18 May 2014 | Nigeria Enugu |
| Okpuala Ngwa Nigeria Stake | 23 Oct 2005 | Nigeria Aba |
| Okrika Nigeria District | 6 Dec 2009 | Nigeria Port Harcourt |
| Ondo Nigeria Stake | 26 Jul 2015 | Nigeria Ibadan |
| Onitsha Nigeria Stake | 23 Sep 1988 | Nigeria Owerri |
| Oron Nigeria District | 8 Mar 2009 | Nigeria Uyo |
| Otukpo Nigeria District | 16 Jul 2017 | Nigeria Enugu |
| Owerri Nigeria North Stake | 27 Jan 2019 | Nigeria Owerri |
| Owerri Nigeria Stake | 14 Jun 1998 | Nigeria Owerri |
| Port Harcourt Nigeria Stake | 25 Nov 1990 | Nigeria Port Harcourt |
| Port Harcourt Nigeria Central Stake | 5 Sep 2021 | Nigeria Port Harcourt |
| Port Harcourt Nigeria Choba Stake | 8 Jul 2018 | Nigeria Port Harcourt North |
| Port Harcourt Nigeria East Stake | 13 Nov 2011 | Nigeria Port Harcourt North |
| Port Harcourt Nigeria North Stake | 27 Nov 2016 | Nigeria Port Harcourt North |
| Port Harcourt Nigeria South Stake | 27 Nov 2016 | Nigeria Port Harcourt |
| Port Harcourt Nigeria West Stake | 6 Jul 2003 | Nigeria Port Harcourt North |
| Ugep Nigeria District | 10 Apr 2022 | Nigeria Calabar |
| Ukat Aran Nigeria Stake | 19 Sep 1999 | Nigeria Uyo |
| Umuahia Nigeria Stake | 19 Nov 1995 | Nigeria Owerri |
| Umuahia Nigeria South Stake | 12 May 2019 | Nigeria Owerri |
| Uyo Nigeria Central Stake | 20 Aug 2023 | Nigeria Uyo |
| Uyo Nigeria Ibiono Stake | 23 Nov 2008 | Nigeria Uyo |
| Uyo Nigeria Stake | 9 Dec 2001 | Nigeria Uyo |
| Warri Nigeria Stake | 18 May 1999 | Nigeria Benin City |
| Yenagoa Nigeria Stake | 29 Dec 2013 | Nigeria Port Harcourt North |
The LDS Church announced creation of new Owerri mission in Nigeria in 2016. The Nigeria Aba and Nigeria Abuja missions were created in July 2023 bringing the total number of missions in Nigeria to nine. [9]
| Mission | Organized |
|---|---|
| Nigeria Aba Mission | 1 Jul 2023 |
| Nigeria Abuja Mission | 1 Jul 2023 |
| Nigeria Benin City Mission[10] | 1 Jul 2013 |
| Nigeria Calabar Mission | Jun 2024 |
| Nigeria Enugu Mission | 1 Jul 1992 |
| Nigeria Ibadan Mission | 1 Jul 1992 |
| Nigeria Lagos Mission | 1 Jul 1980 |
| Nigeria Owerri Mission[11] | 1 Jul 2016 |
| Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission | 1 Jul 1988 |
| Nigeria Port Harcourt North Mission | Jun 2024 |
| Nigeria Uyo Mission | 1 Jul 2002 |
Temples in Nigeria
Red = Operating
Blue = Under Construction
Yellow = announced
Black = Closed for Renovations
Red = Operating
Blue = Under Construction
Yellow = announced
Black = Closed for Renovations
Nigeria currently has 1 operating temple and 3 temples that have been announced.
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| Location: Announced: Groundbreaking: Dedicated: Size: Style: |
Aba, Abia, Nigeria 2 April 2000 by Gordon B. Hinckley 23 February 2002 by H. Bruce Stucki 7 August 2005 by Gordon B. Hinckley 11,500 sq ft (1,070 m2) on a 6.3-acre (2.5 ha) site Classic modern, single-spire design - designed by Adeniyi Coker Consultants Limited | ||
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| Location: Announced: Size: |
Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria 7 October 2018 by Russell M. Nelson[12][13] 19,800 sq ft (1,840 m2) on a 2.7-acre (1.1 ha) site | ||
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| Location: Announced: Size: |
Benin City, Nigeria 5 April 2020 by Russell M. Nelson[14] 30,700 sq ft (2,850 m2) on a 2.17-acre (0.88 ha) site | ||
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| Location: Announced: |
Eket, Nigeria 2 October 2022 by Russell M. Nelson[15][16] | ||
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| Location: Announced: |
Calabar, Nigeria 1 October 2023 by Russell M. Nelson[17][18] | ||
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| Location: Announced: |
Abuja, Nigeria 6 October 2024 by Russell M. Nelson[19][20] | ||
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