This is deeply personal to me. My daughter is half Nigerian, and as she grows up, I want her to understand both the beauty and the challenges of her heritage. One of those challenges is the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, which continues in 2026.
What Is Happening in Nigeria Right Now
Nigeria is home to one of the largest Christian populations in the world, with roughly half of its 220 million people identifying as Christian. But Christians in the northern and middle-belt regions face ongoing violence, displacement, and persecution from Islamist terrorist groups, armed herders, and communal conflicts.
Nigeria consistently ranks among the most dangerous countries to be a Christian. Churches are attacked, pastors are kidnapped, and Christian communities live under constant threat.
The Faith That Persists
The Nigerian church is not declining under persecution. It is growing. Nigerian Christians worship with passion and joy that challenges comfortable Western Christianity. Christianity’s growth in the Global South is one of the most significant religious trends of our time. Nigerian Christians are not victims waiting to be saved. They are a vibrant, powerful part of the global church.
Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Nigerian Christians embody that promise.
Why This Matters to Me Personally
My daughter carries Nigerian heritage. I want her to know the full story: the beauty of the culture, the warmth of the people, and the courage of the Christian community. I have been getting into Nigerian cooking to share that heritage with her. But culture is bigger than food. It includes faith, resilience, and the conviction that God is faithful.
How the Global Church Can Respond
Pray specifically for protection of Christian communities in northern Nigeria. Stay informed through organizations like Open Doors and International Christian Concern. Give to organizations providing direct support. Advocate with elected representatives to prioritize religious freedom.
Standing Together
When Nigerian Christians suffer, we suffer with them. We are connected by a faith that transcends borders. Silence is not the answer. Indifference is not the answer. To my Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ: we see you. We stand with you. And we believe with you that nothing formed against us shall prosper. Isaiah 54:17.