Pray for Nigeria

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Nigeria is a federal republic made up of 36 states and one territory. This vast nation (the size of France, the United Kingdom and Ireland combined) is the most populous African nation, with 490 ethnic groups and a total population of at least 130 million. Estimates for the percentages of Muslims and Christians vary, for Muslims from 30-50 per cent and for Christians from 40-60 per cent. The calculations are further complicated by the presence of traditional animistic religions, which cause some syncretism. At least one hundred of the ethnic groups are specifically Muslim (many others are mixed).

The Sharia of Nigeria

A new democratic regime was elected in 1999. “The oil-rich Nigerian economy, long hobbled by political instability, corruption, and poor macroeconomic management, is undergoing substantial economic reform under the new civilian administration.” (CIA World Factbook) However, the country’s oil resources have not yet brought the economic prosperity which has been so longed for by the population.

Muslim Legal Code in Nigeria

Within the short life of this new democratic national government, Governor Ahmed Sanni of Zamfara State (northern Nigeria) has declared the Muslim legal code (the sharia) as the legal system of his state. Several other northern states have also adopted the sharia. These measures have incited religious unrest, causing the death of several thousand people (Muslims and Christians). A north-south (Muslim-Christian) divide has developed, encouraging many southerners to flee the north. Islam in Nigeria is becoming aggressive, hostile and unrelenting in its efforts to gain control over the entire country. The “Christian” south does not seem to totally understand or appreciate the challenge which it is facing.

Pray for the Muslims in Nigeria:

* Conversions among the Hausa/Fulani (about 35 million people), the Kanuris (about 3.6 million) as well as the other Islamic tribes of northern Nigeria has been slow. Pray for breakthroughs.
Pray that the fear incited by the sharia will break down, allowing people to make responsible choices over their lives. Christians need to walk in love: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22)

* Ironically, sharia and its demands have brought an awakening in the Islamic north. Some people are finding reasons to pull out of Islam. Terrorism around the world has put Islam in bad light.
Pray that such factors will discourage more men and women from still holding on to Islam. Pray that they will begin a search for the true God.

* Though conversions in the north have been slow, they have been happening all the same. Sometimes, false brethren have been discovered infiltrating the churches, but there are genuine cases of Muslims converting to Christianity even from among the tribal royal families.
Pray for this to continue. Many disciples are being made in secret. Pray for the mission agencies and individuals concerned to have wisdom and grace.

* Some Nigerian Christians have put such an emphasis on prosperity that it has encouraged greed and very unChristian attitudes.
Pray for a revival in the Nigerian Church. May the sweet aroma of compassion stand out again as a distinct characteristic of the individual Christian. May Christians become as Jesus: “He went about doing good…” May their good works draw others to Christ.

* Pray especially for the Christians in the north of the country, that they may be strong and determined to live according to the will of God despite persecution and intimidation.

Background on Nigeria (World Factbook)

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has the largest population of any nation in Africa. It is geographically diverse and is divided into 36 states to accelerate development and to minimize the impact of ethnic loyalties on national politics. In general the country has a predominantly Muslim north and a non-Muslim, primarily Christian south. Nigeria has religious freedom, but in the past there are numerous examples of preferential treatment given to Islam.

Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The president faces the daunting task of reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, the OBASANJO administration must defuse longstanding ethnic and religious tensions, if it is to build a sound foundation for economic growth and political stability. Although the April 2003 elections were marred by some irregularities, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence.

Economy of Nigeria

Oil-rich Nigeria, long hobbled by political instability, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and poor macroeconomic management, is undertaking some reforms under a new reform-minded administration. The largely subsistence agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapid population growth - Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country - and the country, once a large net exporter of food, now must import food.

Statistics on Nigeria

Population: 138,283,240 — See note below (July 2008 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth: 47.81 years

Ethnic groups: Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%

Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%

Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani

Literacy: 68% male: 75.7% female: 60.6%

Population Note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.