We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.

Nigeria

World Watch List ranking: 7

How many Christians?

106.6 million (46.5%)

Leader

President Bola Tinubu

SUMMARY

Nigeria is generally split between an Islamic north and Christian south. The persecution facing Christians in Nigeria, especially in the north, is extreme and often brutally violent, coming from Islamic militants and armed bandits.

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“Most of us don’t want to come back to our village. Boko Haram let us know that we will be murdered if we come back.”

Salamtu, who is displaced by violence

Nigeria: QUICK FACTS

  • According to Open Doors research, more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than in the rest of the world combined. 
  • Jihadist violence continues to escalate in Nigeria, and Christians are at particular risk from targeted attacks by Islamic militant groups including Fulani militants, Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province). 
  • These attacks are shockingly brutal in nature – many believers are killed, particularly men, while women are often kidnapped and targeted for sexual violence. These militants also destroy homes, churches and livelihoods. 
  • Kidnap for ransom is used regularly with the deliberate intention of destabilising Christian families and the church. 
  • More than 16.2 million Christians in sub-Saharan Africa, including high numbers from Nigeria, have been driven from their homes by violence and conflict. Millions now live in displacement camps. 

NIGERIA: WHY ARE CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED?

Nigeria has greater religious freedom than other countries in the World Watch List top 10, but the biggest threat is from Islamic militants who seek to destroy Christianity and Christians in the region. 

Christians living in the Sharia (Islamic law) states of northern Nigeria can also face discrimination and oppression as second-class citizens. Converts from Islam often experience rejection from their own families and pressure to renounce their new faith. They often have to flee their homes for fear of being killed. 

Nigeria: More details

Who is particularly vulnerable?

The persecution of believers is most common in the northern, Muslim-majority states. However, attacks are increasingly spreading southward, into the Middle Belt and even further south, to where the majority of Nigeria’s Christians live. 

Pastor Zachariah’s story

Pastor Zachariah has truly counted the cost for following Jesus. Just after midnight on 15 May 2023, his village in central Nigeria was attacked by Fulani militants. “All I could see were burnt houses around,” he remembers. “I searched to see if I could find my wife or children – only to find their lifeless bodies. My wife and I did everything together. We walked hand in hand with each other. That day, I cried like never before.” 

It’s hard to imagine anything more dreadful. Pastor Zachariah’s faith was terribly shaken. “I felt as if God had forsaken me,” he says. “If God is in control, why would He allow this kind of attack on us?” 

Thankfully, that’s not the end of Pastor Zachariah’s story. Open Doors local partners came quickly to help the community with trauma care and counselling – just one of many ways they support believers in Nigeria, including relief aid, economic empowerment, discipleship and persecuted survival training. The trauma care has had an extraordinary impact on Pastor Zachariah. “I am now asking God to forgive the militants,” he says. “Had I not come for this counselling, I would not have been living a good life – I could not sleep, as my thoughts kept going back to the attacks. But now my mind is at rest.” 

Pastor Zachariah’s prayer is this: “Help me pray for our members to be strengthened in the faith, so that we can continue to work for Christ here on earth and not to be afraid. I am also pleading with our dear brothers and sisters in Christ to pray that God will help me to provide for our four remaining children – for God to encourage them to hold on to Him and never turn back.” 

 

Sele’s Story

In Nigeria, teenager Sele suffered the loss of his father in religious violence when he was just a toddler. But through the generosity of Open Doors supporters, he has been able to attend school.

What has changed in the last year?

Nigeria has dropped one place on the World Watch List, but the persecution score has not changed – the change in rank is due to persecution intensifying in other countries. 

There were hopes that Bola Tinubu’s 2023 election as president would cause a positive shift towards recognising and intervening against human rights violations affecting Christians, but this has not yet materialised. 

Unfortunately, very little has changed in Nigeria this year. Christians living in parts of the country continue to endure extreme violence and danger for their faith.

How is Open Doors helping

Open Doors works through local church partners in Nigeria to strengthen Christians with discipleship and persecution survival training, trauma care, relief aid and economic empowerment projects.  

“We will worship God because He has preserved our lives… I still have God and He is still on the throne. He will surely deliver me.”

Abraham, who has been displaced by violence

PRAY NOW

Heavenly Father, we cry out to You for our persecuted sisters and brothers in Nigeria. Comfort and heal all who have been attacked, traumatised or bereaved and fill them with hope. We pray especially for women and girls who have been abducted and assaulted – set them free and restore them to their families. Help the new president to work together with the authorities to bring an end to terrorism in the country. Build Your good kingdom in Nigeria through Your church and give believers courage to keep proclaiming the good news of Jesus. Amen. 

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