The goal of The Bible Society of Nigeria is to translate the Bible into all major Nigerian Languages. Nigeria has 500 Languages. We now have the Bible in 19 Nigerian Languages, New Testament in 63 Languages and one Book or another in 98 Languages. Translation work is ongoing in 12 Nigerian Languages. More could be translated but funds are needed.
There are 500 languages in Nigeria. Out of these only 19 languages have the complete Bible as at the end of September, 2009. 60 Languages have the New Testament while there is one Book or another in 98 Languages. The proclamation of the gospel cannot be reasonably done without the word of God in the language that the target audience understands well. Usually this is the mother tongue. In Nigeria the percentage of those who speak English reasonably well to be able to comprehend religious ideas are less than 60 per cent of the over 140 million people. This is why the Bible Society of Nigeria makes Bible translation into the languages which the majority of the people of Nigeria speak a priority. From the days of the Jews in Alexander up to the time of Martin Luther and throughout the history of the proclamation of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, Bible translation has been found to be a veritable tool in spreading the salvation message.
That is the driving motive of the Bible Society of Nigeria’s efforts to bring the word of God closer to the people of Nigeria.
Below are the languages in which the Society is currently working. With the prayers of God’s people and support, the Bible Society of Nigeria will be able to help many more people to have access to the word of God of the language that they know best and at prices that they can afford.
You can now read the brief information about the current translation projects of the Bible Society of Nigeria. You can be a prayer partner for any of these languages or you may even sponsor some that are waiting but could not be attended to due to resource limitation.
| Language | Location | Challenges |
| Hausa | The Hausa language is spoken in most the states in the Northern part of Nigeria such as Kano, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Zamfara and even some states in the mid-belt of Nigeria, such as Plateau, Nasarrawa and Niger. Hausa is also spoken in parts of Northern Ghana, Chad, Gambia, Niger and Sudan. | The Northern States in Nigeria and in majority parts of other West African countries where Hausa is spoken are mainly Muslims. The churches in these areas are usually in the minority compared to the Muslim population, though Christian population is usually many in absolute terms. The Church in these regions are growing, and constantly facing persecution. In Nigeria, the church faces frequent violence attacks from the Muslims. Hausa language is spoken at homes, in the news media and is the language franca for commerce and even for government business. It is taught from the primary school up to the university level. There are some that are very happy to read Hausa written in Arabic script, known as Ajami. However, there does not exist an easy to read and easy to understand version of the Bible in Hausa language. This means that people do not understand clearly the message of salvation that Jesus brings, which is contained in the Bible. The consequence is that the people do not accept the message of salvation, partly because they do not understand the message, and do not even know what they are rejecting. It is estimated that the project will cost the Bible Society of Nigeria about N40 million ($276,000.00) to complete. |
| Bura | The Bura people are found in Biu, Damatura, Shafa in Bornu State as well as in Garkida in Adamawa State. They number over 700,000 people | Majority of Bura people are Christians. For many years, they had suffered persecution from their moslem neighbours who are in the majority in the state and control state power. |
| Igede | The Igede people are found in the Benue State of Nigeria. The Igede people have Oju as one of their main towns. They number 200,000. | The Igede land is inhabited mostly by farmers. The Igede people are mainly monolinguals, and are mostly Christians. As at now, the whole Bible is not available to Christians in Igede land. It is believed that the Bible in Igede will go a long way in helping the people to know about the love of God for them. Currently, through the efforts of the Bible Society and in cooperation with the Churches in Igede land, the whole Bible is being translated for the Igede people. |
| Etsako | The Etsako people are found in Auchi, Agenebode, and other surrounding towns. | The Etsako people have a few Christians and Muslims. Many still try to reach God through nature deities. The few Christians do not have any portion of the Bible in Etsako. Witnessing is being done through direct or on-the-spot translation of the Bible as the preacher/speaker is addressing his/her audience. The Bible Society decided to bridge this gap, and so began to translate the New Testament into Etsako. There is no other literature in Etsako and the level of literacy in Etsako is very low. The Bible Society of Nigeria hopes to first produce an NT in cassette and latter consider publishing copies of the NT as level of literacy begins to rise. |
| Isoko | The Isoko people are found in the Delta State of Nigeria. Oleh is one of their main towns. The Isoko people are about 500, 000. | The Bible had been translated into Isoko, but it has been found to contain some inaccuracies and the text is very difficult to read and understand. Having no Bible that they could read and understand they do not know sufficiently God’s claims over their lives and how is it that he, God, loves them. Literacy in Isoko is been pursued by some Isoko sons. Primers are available and the language is being taught in schools. With an easy to read Bible, it is hoped that their knowledge of God will increase and the Bible will thus impact their lives positively. |
Igala | The Igala people are found in the eastern part of Kogi State of Nigeria. They practice Islam, Christianity and as well patronize nature deities. | The Quo Iboe Mission came to Igala land 60 years ago. There was a Bible translated by missionaries who were non indigenous speakers of Igala. The translation turned out to be very literal and in many instances misleading. There was, therefore a felt need to translate the Bible into a common language for the Igala people. The Bible Society of Nigeria takes up this challenge as she cooperates with the Churches in Igala land to translate the Bible into Igala. The NT has made significant progress since the project began in 2006. The whole Bible is the goal. |
| Ebira | The Ebira people are found in the central part of Kogi State of Nigeria. Okene, Okehi, Adavi and Ajaokuta are the local government councils where Ebira people are found. Some Ebira people are also found in Akoko Edo in Edo State. These are the Igaras. Ebira Clusters are found in Ogun, Ondo and parts of Lagos State. They are about 1 million people (Adive 1989.) | The Ebira people practice Islam, Christianity and the patronage of nature deities as they attempt to reach out to God. The Ebira people being monolinguals do not have access to the Bible, except for the very few that have access to Western education or that have visited and sojourned for some time in Yoruba or Hausa States that could speak any of these languages and also read literature in them. A Bible in Ebira will definitely enable them to learn about God and his claim over their lives as well as his love for them. In 1982, the NT was translated into Ebira. Currently, the Bible Society of Nigeria in cooperation with the Churches in Ebira land is translating the whole Bible into Ebira language. The NT is being revised. |
| Tiv | The Tiv people are found in the Benue State of Nigeria. Makurdi, Gboko, Katsina-Ala are some of the main towns of the Tiv people. The Tiv people are more than 5 million. | The Tiv people are monolinguals. Tiv is the language of commerce in Tiv land. They are mainly farmers and many of them are Christians, though some patronize nature deities. The Bible had been translated into Tiv language by the Reformed Church from South Africa many years ago. The translation is found to be very literal and no longer communicates to the modern people. The Church in Tiv land had been yearning for a new translation. This challenge was taken up by the Bible Society of Nigeria with the Church in Tiv land. The project has reached an advanced stage. |
