African Forest Elephant
Smaller than their savanna cousins, these forest elephants live in the dense rainforests of southern Nigeria and use their straight tusks to dig for minerals in the soil.
Flag of Nigeria
Field Report
Nigeria is a large country on the western coast of Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and the Sahara Desert to the north. It is home to hundreds of different people groups, each with their own language, food, and traditions, living in everything from crowded coastal cities to quiet farming villages deep in the savanna. More people live in Nigeria than in any other country in Africa, which means it is a place where an enormous number of lives are being shaped — and where many people are still waiting to hear the name of Jesus.
From the Field Notebook
African Forest Elephant
Smaller than their savanna cousins, these forest elephants live in the dense rainforests of southern Nigeria and use their straight tusks to dig for minerals in the soil.
African Rock Python
One of the largest snakes in the world, this powerful constrictor can be found near rivers and forests across Nigeria and plays an important role in local folklore.
Hippopotamus
Nigeria's rivers and floodplains, especially along the Niger Delta, are home to hippos that spend most of their day submerged to keep their thick skin from drying out.
Jollof Rice
Cooked in a rich tomato and pepper sauce with spices, this one-pot dish is a staple at celebrations and everyday family meals across Nigeria.
Suya
Thin strips of beef rubbed in a spiced peanut powder and grilled over open flame, suya is sold by street vendors in the evening and eaten wrapped in newspaper with sliced onions.
Egusi Soup
Made from ground melon seeds cooked with leafy greens, palm oil, and often fish or meat, this thick, earthy soup is eaten with a ball of pounded yam.
Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa, with over 220 million people — roughly two-thirds of the entire United States population living in a country about the size of Texas and Oklahoma combined.
More than 500 distinct languages are spoken across Nigeria, making it one of the most linguistically diverse nations on Earth.
Nigeria produces more movies each year than any country except India, and its film industry — nicknamed Nollywood — sends stories across the entire continent of Africa.
The Niger River, one of Africa's great rivers, flows through Nigeria and empties into the Atlantic Ocean through a massive web of waterways called the Niger Delta.
Nok figurines, some of the oldest known clay sculptures in sub-Saharan Africa, were made by people who lived in what is now central Nigeria more than 2,000 years ago.
Daily Life
54
Years life expectancy
70%
Can read and write
90%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Nigeria is home to 531 distinct people groups — 49 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
About half of Nigeria's people follow Christianity (51.6%). Evangelical Christians make up about 26.8% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
Hausa
40,247,000 people
Fulani, Nigerian
20,599,000 people
Kanuri, Yerwa
8,281,000 people
Gera, Gerawa
460,000 people
Bade
454,000 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.