The Church and the Development of Nigeria, 1920-2020

Prof. Jones M. Jaja; Tuonimi Oko-Jaja PhD; Theodora Obianime

doi:10.56201/ajha.v10.no2.2026.pg47.62

📄 Download Paper

The Church and the Development of Nigeria, 1920-2020

Prof. Jones M. Jaja, Tuonimi Oko-Jaja PhD, Theodora Obianime

Abstract

This study critically examines the role of the Church in the trajectory of Nigeria’s national development through a historical and interdisciplinary framework. Drawing on secondary sources, the paper adopts an integrative analytical approach that situates the Church’s contributions within the pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial phases of Nigerian history. It argues that the Church has functioned not merely as a religious institution but as a pivotal agent of socio-political transformation and developmental advancement. The analysis demonstrates that, despite the denominational fragmentation that characterized the post- colonial Church in Nigeria, various Christian bodies have continued to make context-specific contributions to their respective communities, thereby sustaining a decentralized yet impactful developmental presence. Notably, missionary-founded educational institutions prior to and during colonial rule constituted the earliest formal structures of national development, fostering literacy, elite formation, and the diffusion of Western education. These institutions played a foundational role in cultivating political consciousness and nationalist sentiments, which ultimately contributed to Nigeria’s decolonization process. Furthermore, the study reveals that the Church’s enduring involvement in the provision of primary, secondary, and tertiary education has significantly shaped Nigeria’s human capital development. Beyond education, its collaboration with state structures has enhanced social welfare and contributed to broader economic development. The findings, therefore, underscore the Church’s sustained relevance as a partner in nation-building, whose historical legacy and contemporary engagements continue to influence Nigeria’s developmental landscape.

References

Achunike, (1995). Article cited by Catholic charismatic movement in Igboland. Adediran, A. B. (1994). The frontier states of western Yorubaland 1600-1889 Adesote, S. A., Akande, S.A. & Fayigbe, B.O. (2022). The Christian missions and the development of university education in the Nigeria’s fourth republic, 1999-2021: A historical analysis. A paper presented at the 67th historical society of Nigeria conference in Abuja. Afigbo, (1978). The missions, the state and education in South-Eastern Nigeria, 1956-71 in Christianity in independent Africa edited by Edward Fashole-Luke et al., Alonge, H.O., & Onukwu, J.N. (2021). Technological innovations and management of university education for job creation in Bayelsa State. International journal of education and ethical issues in research, 2(2), 108-118. Arbo, P. & Benneworth, A. (2007). Understanding the regional contribution of higher education institution: A literature review. OECD education working paper 2007/09 Paris: OECD. Bowen, F. (1893), Education by self-activity, London: William Heinemann. Dike, K. O. (1982), Changes in some Christian churches in Calabar since 1960. Paper presented at the Pan-Ibibio language and culture Drucker, J. & Goldstein, H. (2007). Assessing the regional economic development impacts of universities: A review of current approaches, international regional science review 30, 1-27. Esedeke, P. (2001). European and American Christian mission and Nigeria’s National Development (1840-1960). Hasting, A. (1978). The ministry of the catholic church in Africa 1960-1975. In Christianity in independent Africa edited by Edward Fashole-Luke et al Agha 2012 university of Ibadan press, Ibadan. Majekodunmi, A. (2015). Federation in Nigeria the past current peril and future hopes. NDU handbook, 2004/2005 NDU weekly Newsletter 16th March, 2006. Obi-Omovoh, A.E & Nwagwu, N.A. (2018). Corporate social responsibility performance of universities in South-South Nigeria. African journal of studies in education, 13(1), 177- 131. Odinaka, J. (20002). Industry-Community Relation. Ibadan, Amstermyan and stoniest. Okaba, B. & Okolo, P.O. (2010). The Impact of the Niger Delta University in its host communities on the Wilberforce island. In Abasiekong, E.M. (ed). The Changing Face of Rural Nigeria: Change and Continuity, pp. 269-296. Okolo, P. 0. (2006). Environmental Impact Assessment of the NDU-Amassoma Dredging project. Okwueze, (1989). Custody of children of traditional marriages and the chichidodo. Omoyajowo, A. (1978). The Aladara churches in Nigeria since independence in Christianity in independent Africa. Edited by Edward Fashole-Luke, Richard Gray, Adrian Hastings and Godwin Tasie IUP, Ibadan. Onukwu, J.N., Dabipi, T. & Okafor, I.M. (2020). ICT innovation and administration process of university: What is the utilization level in Bayelsa State, Nigerian Journal of education management, 4 (1), 48-60. Onyebuagu, (2002). The radical evangelization of the political order is an urgent task. Onyeidu, (2001). Christianity and Onitsha primal society. The Anglican contribution. Enugu Nigeria. E-ISSN 2579-048X , Opara, M.I. (1962). Education for a living society an address delivered on 19th June, Appendix “B” of report of the conference on the review of educational system in Eastern Nigeria (Enugu 1964) p. 40 Osedeke, E.A. (2002). Christians and Nigerian politics. Osoba, S.O. & Fajana, A. (1980). Educational and social developments. In Ikime, O. (ed). Ground work of Nigerian History, Ibadan Heinemann educational books Falk, P. (1979). The growth of the church in Africa Michigan. Pay, R. (1957). The first ever African seminar held in Ghana. Peterside, P. (2001). The Challenges of Community Development. Aba Michelson Ltd. Rogers, E.M. (2010). Diffusion of innovations (4th ed.). New York: Simon and Schuster Sagasti, F.R (1979). Towards endogenous science and technology for another development. Uppsala, Sweden: Dag Hammarskj old foundation. 13-23.

The Church and the Development of Nigeria, 1920-2020

Abstract

References

More Articles from AFRICAN JOURNAL OF HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY