Protestantism in Nigeria

Protestants in Nigeria are about 26.5% of the population (about 34 million). Christianity in Yoruba area traditionally has been Protestant and Anglican. With political independence came African priests in Protestant denominations, although ritual and forms of worship were strictly those of the home country of the original missionaries. Conservative estimates of the size of the Nigerian Baptist Convention claims three million baptized believers and a worshiping community of more than six million. Hundreds of persons in northern and central Nigeria have died in recent years as a result of violence between Christian and Muslim communities.^[1] Since the introduction of Sharia Law in 12 Northern states, violence between Muslims and Christians has spiraled. ^[2] Sharia only applies to Muslims in Law. It occurs however that it is applied to Christians. ^[3] Introduction of Sharia law is possibly going to happen in the states of Lagos and Oyo. ^[4] The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria has more than 3,8 million members in the entire country as well as outreaches in the neighbourin countries.^[5] The Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in Nigeria, reaching about five million people. It was founded in 1954. It has more than 110 clinics.

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