Where We Serve / Nigeria
God’s Word in the Language of the Home
Across Nigeria, local churches, translators, teachers, and communities are working so people can encounter Scripture in the languages they understand best.
The Nigeria Story
A diverse country. A vital opportunity for Scripture in local languages.
Nigeria’s extraordinary linguistic diversity makes local-language Bible translation and Scripture engagement especially important. In some areas, insecurity and religious persecution bring the threat of violence, attacks, and abductions into the lives of Christian communities.
In this complex environment, access to Scripture in local languages matters deeply. Lutheran Bible Translators works alongside local churches and ministry partners in Bible translation, literacy, Scripture engagement, and leadership development, equipping communities to engage with God’s Word in the languages they understand best.
Indigenous Languages
Nigeria’s extraordinary linguistic diversity makes local-language Bible translation and Scripture engagement especially important.
Featured Video
See Bible translation at work in Nigeria
Meet the people helping Scripture take root in the languages and lives of Nigerian communities.
ELEME LANGUAGE
When Scripture speaks the language of home
The Eleme community already has a New Testament. Now translators are working toward an Old Testament in Eleme for the first time. When community members reviewed Ruth and Jonah, some wanted to know when they could come back for more.
Uloma Wabara, a translation consultant serving the project, describes what happens when you are far from home and suddenly hear someone speaking your language.
“You will feel at home.”
That familiarity matters when the words of Scripture are read or heard.
“The turning point in my life was when I was able to read the Yala Scripture, the New Testament, in my heart language.”
Rev. Dr. Linus Otronyi
A LOCALLY LED APPROACH
Translation. Scripture Engagement. Training Local Leaders.
Nigeria’s programs are at different stages, but these three movements work together to help Scripture become accessible, understood, and used.
Translate Scripture
Local translators, consultants, and partners work so Scripture can become available in the languages communities understand best.
Help People Engage
Literacy, audio Scripture, worship, family devotions, songs, drama, and other activities create opportunities to read, hear, and use God’s Word.
Train Local Leaders
Training is central to the Nigeria strategy. LBT invests in translators, consultants, teachers, interns, and program leaders so local teams can strengthen planning, accountability, and long-term capacity.
Kuturmi Language
God’s Word brings hope in uncertain places
In parts of Nigeria, insecurity can make travel, gatherings, and even meeting together for translation work difficult. Yet Scripture continues to be translated, taught, and shared.
For Musa Maude, that hope became personal when his grandchild learned a passage from Luke in Kuturmi for a school activity and could still recite it later.
Oh, it gives me joy.
For Musa, hearing another generation speak God’s Word in Kuturmi is reason for hope.
OBE LANGUAGE
Equipping leaders who can carry the work forward
Rev. Martin is an LBT intern supporting community mobilization and literacy with the Obe community. His work includes training volunteer teachers sent by churches and schools so they can help others learn to read and write their language.
The community brings its knowledge, decisions, time, and gifts. LBT serves alongside them through training and support. The aim is not outside ownership, but growing local capacity for the work to continue.
Multiplication
Investment in people multiplies
Across Nigeria, training and mentorship are helping people move from encountering Scripture to serving others through translation and Scripture engagement.
I am happy the legacy is continuing.
Rev. Kierien Ekpang Ayugha
Scripture became personal
Reading the New Testament in Yala deepened Rev. Linus Otronyi’s understanding. Today, he serves as LBT’s West Africa Regional Director and invests in others.
Training becomes leadership
Rev. Kierien received support for his education and service and now leads a Linguistics and Bible Translation Department, helping prepare others for the work.
The legacy continues
Kierien’s daughter, Erica, chose to pursue linguistics and Bible translation, extending a family story of service into another generation.
The Long View
Local leadership. Stronger programs. Scripture for generations.
In Nigeria, the work is not only about producing translated words. It is about equipping people and communities to lead Bible translation and Scripture engagement with growing skill, ownership, and capacity.
Give to Bible Translation
You can help more people encounter God’s Word in a language they understand best.
Your generosity helps Lutheran Bible Translators work alongside local partners as communities pursue Bible translation, Scripture engagement, and the training that helps local leaders carry the work forward.
Or give to a specific language community
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