The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) once again inspired Nigerians to celebrate, read and engage with God’s Word through the 2026 Marathon Bible Reading (MBR), held from 25 to 28 August 2026 across various centres in Nigeria.

The MBR is an initiative of The Bible Society of Nigeria designed to promote and strengthen the culture of Bible reading among children, young people and adults, while encouraging participants to encounter the Scriptures in a meaningful and communal way.

Across the various centres, participants came out in large numbers to take part in the marathon reading. Young and old, individuals, families and groups joined together to read the Holy Scriptures, demonstrating that the Word of God continues to bring people together across generations and communities.

One of the remarkable features of the 2026 MBR was the diversity of languages in which the Bible was read. Participants read the Scriptures in languages including Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Hebrew, Greek and Spanish, among others. This reflected BSN’s commitment to making the Bible available and accessible to people in their preferred languages and formats, while celebrating the linguistic and cultural diversity of Nigeria and beyond.

Children Join the Celebration

The children were also an important part of the MBR. Their participation provided an opportunity to nurture the habit of Bible reading from an early age and to help them appreciate the Bible not merely as a book, but as God’s Word that speaks to their everyday lives. Their enthusiasm and participation added colour and excitement to the various reading centres, reinforcing the importance of deliberately passing the love for God’s Word from one generation to another.

A Remarkable Feat at ECWA Gospel, Barnawa Centre, Kaduna

A major highlight of this year’s Marathon Bible Reading was recorded at ECWA, Gospel, Barnawa Centre, Kaduna, where participants successfully completed the reading of the entire Bible within the first three days of the programme. The achievement was a remarkable demonstration of commitment, endurance and a shared passion for the Word of God. Completing the entire Bible in such a short period was not simply a feat of endurance; it was a powerful testimony to what can be achieved when people come together with a common desire to hear, read and engage with God’s Word.

More Than Reading

The Marathon Bible Reading goes beyond the physical act of reading Scripture. It is an avenue for individuals and communities to encounter God’s Word, deepen their knowledge of Scripture and develop a consistent culture of Bible engagement. Through initiatives such as the MBR, BSN continues to encourage Nigerians to make the Bible an integral part of their daily lives.

As the 2026 edition ended, the MBR left behind a renewed challenge: to keep reading, studying, sharing and living out the Word of God, not only during the marathon but every day.