A new stake was recently created in Nigeria. The Abuja Nigeria Stake was organized from the Abuja Nigeria District and includes the following eight wards and three branches: The Bwari, Jabi, Kaduna, Karu, Kubwa, Nyanya, Suleja, and Wuse Wards and the Jikwoyi, Lugbe, and Mpape Branches. One branch - the Abuja Nigeria District Branch - was closed with the creation of the stake as district branches do not function in stakes. Click here to view the LDS International Atlas map of central and northern Nigeria.
The organization of the first stake in central Nigeria constitutes a major milestone for LDS growth in Nigeria as all previously organized stakes operate in southern and coastal areas of Nigeria. Growth has been steady and sustained in Abuja, with new branches regularly organized and such a large number of branches becoming wards at the time the stake was organized. There do not appear to be any likely prospects for outreach expansion into additional cities in central and northern Nigeria as the Church has organized very few new branches and wards in additional cities for the past decade. Christian and Muslim violence in the region may deter any overt expansion of missionary activity into other populous, currently unreached cities in the region. However, the organization of additional branches and wards in lesser-reached communities in Abuja appears likely in the coming years and may merit the organization of a second stake in Abuja in the not-to-distant future.
There are now 21 stakes and 20 districts in Nigeria. The Asaba Nigeria District appears to be the district closest to attaining stakehood, with 12 branches currently operating.
Just in case anyone comes to this page looking for the Church in the north, there is also a Group in Yola/Jimeta. Contact me for meeting times or more information.
ReplyDeleteThat is great news; how many attend the group?
ReplyDeleteOne of our families recently moved out, so we're down to 4-6.
ReplyDelete