Nigeria

English and African languages (e.g. Hausa and Fulani)

356,669 sq mi

Area

Languages

Population

Religion

Approximately 200 million

50% Muslim, 40% Christian, 10% tribal religions. Northern Nigeria is almost entirely Islamic.

Life in Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa. Muslims make up at least half the population with most in the north, and with organizations like Boko Haram, it’s infamously dangerous for Christians. Call of Hope, however, has been able to provide aid and discipleship for Muslims and Christians alike through programs like The Goat Project and radio broadcasting for all to hear.

Missionary work in the Sharia states of northern Nigeria presents special challenges. Life for Christians here is very dangerous and they constantly expect attacks from Islamists. Nevertheless, the work in northern Nigeria is an important focus for Call of Hope. In the midst of these difficult circumstances, our local employees want to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to Muslims. It is crucial to us that we not only provide practical help but also spiritual help to Christians affected by terrorism in their time of need.

A Little History

In late May 1999, Sharia Muslim law was adopted in all of the twelve northern states. The Nigerian constitution even allows for establishing Sharia courts at the national level. Many Muslims still criticize this application of Sharia as being too lax and demand the government take more decisive action against the enemies of Allah. The bloodiest Islamic terror organization in West Africa—called Boko Haram, which means “western education is sin”—wages a holy war in northern Nigeria against Christians and the national government. In 2012, Boko Haram demanded the Christian minority of northern Nigeria “leave quickly as possible or expect to be killed at any moment.” This has led to years of mobs, destructions, and assassinations against Christian people and organizations. The resulting conflict in Nigeria has seen thousands killed and millions displaced.

Our Work in Nigeria

In the mid-1980s, COH's Gospel literature and Farmer Evangelism efforts began in Nigeria. Since 2006, millions of Muslims across northern Nigeria hear COH Gospel radio programs in the Hausa and Fulfulde languages nine times each week broadcast from nine government-owned, Muslim-operated radio stations!

Our work includes:

Christian literature production and distribution
Helping resettle those who have lost homes
Replacing burnt Bibles and songbooks
Offering small grants to local business owners
Personal follow-up & discipleship
Training evangelists
Youth conferences
Jesus Film viewings
Church planting initiatives in Muslim communities
Education assistance
Disaster relief & Humanitarian aid
Broadcasting Christian radio programs

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Call of Hope Projects in Nigeria

Call of Hope Frontline Workers are always on their way to the people in the refugee camps with aid. This implies a high degree of risk!
Children in rural villages across Nigeria are able to seek shelter, education, and more in our expanding education centers.
Our 35+ Farmer Evangelists are trained in both agriculture and Christian ministry to go into hostile areas of Northern Nigeria.
The Call of Hope “Goat Project” provides a female goat to Christian families. When the goat produces offspring, they can be sold at market.
Imagine walking hours in the scorching sun to draw water from a shrinking lake. This is a reality for villages across northern Nigeria.
In Northern Nigeria, our co-workers regularly organize missions with medical teams in rural areas. Villagers who otherwise have no access to medical care receive free medical treatment and medication.
The heart of our work is the scriptural mission. We distribute numerous evangelistic writings and books in over 40 languages, in which we address the important fundamentals of the Christian faith.
We broadcast Biblically-based radio programs, and provide follow-up on the ground through trained pastor evangelists who live and serve in hostile areas controlled by Muslim terrorist groups.
Girls (especially refugees) are also often disadvantaged compared to boys in school education and training. Call of Hope offers sewing courses to young women and girls.