The Christian Missionary Activities

Early Portuguese Missionary Efforts (15th-17th Century)

The first Christian missionaries to Nigeria were Portuguese Catholics. They arrived in the 15th century when Portuguese traders came to West Africa. These early missionaries focused on the Kingdom of Benin and Warri.

In 1485, Portuguese missionaries visited the Oba of Benin. They tried to convert the royal family to Christianity. The Oba allowed them to build a church and preach. Some nobles converted, but most Bini people kept their traditional religion.

The Itsekiri people of Warri welcomed missionaries more warmly. In 1570, a Portuguese missionary named Father Molina baptized the son of the Olu (king) of Warri. The prince took the Christian name Sebastian.

However, these early missionary efforts failed by the 1700s. Several problems caused this failure:

• Portuguese missionaries focused more on trading than preaching
• They got involved in the slave trade, which damaged their reputation
• Many missionaries died from tropical diseases like malaria
• Local rulers resisted because Christianity threatened their traditional authority
• The Catholic Church did not send enough missionaries or resources

The Revival of Missionary Work (19th Century)

Christian missionary activities restarted in Nigeria in the 1840s. Several factors made this second attempt more successful:

1. End of Slave Trade

After Britain banned slave trade in 1807, Europeans wanted new relationships with Africa. Missionaries saw an opportunity to spread Christianity and “civilization.” They believed Christianity would replace the “evil” of slavery.

2. Use of African Missionaries

European missionaries discovered that Africans survived tropical diseases better. They recruited freed slaves from Sierra Leone who spoke Nigerian languages. These African missionaries understood local culture better than Europeans.

Samuel Ajayi Crowther became the most famous African missionary. Born in Osogun (present-day Oyo State), slave traders captured him in 1821. The British Navy freed him and took him to Sierra Leone. After education and training, Crowther returned to Nigeria as a missionary in 1841.

3. British Government Support

The British government supported missionaries because they prepared Africans for colonial rule. Missionaries taught English, promoted British values, and made colonization easier. In 1841, the British government funded an expedition that brought missionaries to Nigeria.

Major Missionary Societies in Nigeria

Church Missionary Society (CMS) – Anglican

CMS was the first major Protestant mission in Nigeria. Thomas Birch Freeman, a Methodist missionary, arrived in Badagry in 1842. He prepared the ground for CMS work.

In 1845, Henry Townsend established the first CMS mission station in Abeokuta. He built churches and schools. Townsend created a Yoruba dictionary and translated the Bible into Yoruba.

Samuel Ajayi Crowther joined CMS missions along the Niger River. In 1864, he became the first African Anglican bishop. He established missions in Onitsha, Lokoja, and other Niger River towns. Crowther translated the Bible into several Nigerian languages.

Wesleyan Methodist Mission

Thomas Birch Freeman led Methodist work in Nigeria. He arrived in Badagry in 1842, the same year as Townsend. Freeman traveled to Abeokuta, Ibadan, and Ijaye, preaching and establishing churches.

Methodists focused on education and practical skills. They opened schools that taught carpentry, tailoring, and farming alongside religious education. By 1900, Methodists operated over 50 schools in southwestern Nigeria.

Catholic Missions

Catholic missionaries returned to Nigeria in the 1860s. The Society of African Missions (SMA) arrived in Lagos in 1868. Father Francesco Borghero led the first group.

Catholics established strong missions in Abeokuta, Lokoja, and Onitsha. They built impressive schools and cathedrals. Catholic missions emphasized charity work, running orphanages and hospitals.

In eastern Nigeria, Holy Ghost Fathers arrived in 1885. They established missions among the Igbo people and built many schools in the region.

Southern Baptist Mission

American Southern Baptists started work in Nigeria in 1850. Thomas Jefferson Bowen was their pioneer missionary. He arrived in Ijaye (near Ibadan) and learned Yoruba quickly.

Baptists established churches in Ogbomoso, Abeokuta, and Lagos. They trained Nigerian pastors and gave local churches independence faster than other missions.

Presbyterian Mission

Hope Masterson Waddell, a Scottish missionary, founded Presbyterian missions in Calabar in 1846. He brought other missionaries including Mary Slessor, who became famous for her work.

Mary Slessor arrived in 1876 and worked in Calabar for 38 years. She fought against harmful practices like killing of twins, which some communities believed brought bad luck. Her courage saved hundreds of children’s lives.

Motives Behind Missionary Activities

Missionaries came to Nigeria for several reasons:

1. Spreading Christianity

The primary motive was religious. Missionaries wanted to convert Nigerians from traditional religion and Islam to Christianity. They believed Christianity would save African souls and bring them to heaven.

2. Promoting Legitimate Trade

Missionaries encouraged Nigerians to trade in palm oil, cotton, rubber, and cocoa instead of slaves. They taught farming techniques and connected Nigerian traders with European merchants. This “legitimate commerce” enriched both missionaries and local converts.

3. Abolishing Slavery and Slave Trade

Missionaries saw themselves as fighters against slavery. They preached that all humans are equal before God. Many missionaries actively campaigned against domestic slavery and slave trade within Nigeria.

4. Introducing Western Education

Missionaries believed Western education would “civilize” Africans. They built schools and taught English, mathematics, and science. These schools trained the first generation of Nigerian clerks, teachers, and administrators.

5. Preparing for Colonial Rule

Though not openly stated, missionary work supported colonialism. Missionaries made Nigerians accept European culture and authority. They trained Nigerians to work in colonial government and businesses.

Contributions of Christian Missionaries to Nigeria

Education

Missionaries built the first modern schools in Nigeria. By 1900, hundreds of mission schools operated across the country. These schools taught English, science, and practical skills.

CMS Grammar School (1859) and Methodist Boys High School (1879) in Lagos became famous institutions. Hope Waddell Training Institute (1895) in Calabar trained skilled craftsmen. Queen’s College (1927) was one of the first girls’ secondary schools.

Mission schools produced Nigeria’s first educated elite. People like Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Obafemi Awolowo attended mission schools.

Healthcare

Missionaries established the first modern hospitals in Nigeria. They trained nurses and midwives. Medical missionaries treated tropical diseases and performed surgeries.

Catholic missions operated several hospitals including Sacred Heart Hospital in Abeokuta. Methodists built Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesha. These hospitals saved thousands of lives.

Language Development

Missionaries created writing systems for Nigerian languages. Before missionaries, most Nigerian languages had no written form.

Samuel Ajayi Crowther developed Yoruba orthography (writing system). He published the first Yoruba grammar book and dictionary. He also translated the Bible into Yoruba, Igbo, and Nupe.

Missionaries documented Igbo, Efik, Hausa, and other languages. These efforts preserved Nigerian cultures and helped literature develop.

Stopping Harmful Practices

Missionaries campaigned against practices they considered harmful:

• Twin killing in Calabar and other areas
• Human sacrifice in some traditional religions
• Trial by ordeal (forcing accused persons to drink poison)
• Female genital mutilation in some communities
• Widowhood practices that abused women

Mary Slessor’s fight against twin killing in Calabar became legendary. Her work saved countless children condemned to death.

Infrastructure Development

Missionaries built roads, bridges, and houses. They introduced new building techniques using bricks and cement. Mission stations became centers of development in rural areas.

Problems Faced by Missionaries

1. Tropical Diseases

Malaria, yellow fever, and other diseases killed many European missionaries. Before quinine medicine became available, missionaries called West Africa the “white man’s grave.” Many died within months of arrival.

2. Language Barriers

Nigeria has over 250 languages. Missionaries struggled to learn local languages. Communication problems made preaching difficult. This is why they recruited African converts as interpreters and assistant missionaries.

3. Resistance from Traditional Rulers

Many traditional rulers opposed missionaries. They saw Christianity as a threat to their authority and customs. In some areas, missionaries were attacked or expelled.

The Alake of Abeokuta expelled CMS missionaries in 1867 during political conflicts. Chiefs in Onitsha initially refused to allow missionary stations.

4. Islamic Competition

In northern Nigeria, Islam was already established. Muslim emirs blocked missionary work in their territories. Missionaries made little progress in the far north until colonial rule forced emirs to accept them.

5. Cultural Conflicts

Missionaries condemned many African practices as “primitive” or “evil.” They forced converts to abandon traditional clothing, music, and festivals. This cultural insensitivity created conflicts.

Missionaries banned polygamy (having multiple wives), which was common in Nigerian societies. Men who wanted to become Christians had to divorce all wives except one, causing family hardships.

6. Denominational Rivalry

Different missionary groups competed against each other. CMS, Catholic, and Methodist missionaries sometimes fought over the same areas. This confused potential converts and weakened Christian unity.

Common Exam Mistakes

WAEC examiners report these frequent errors:

• Confusing Portuguese and British missionary periods: Remember Portuguese came in 15th century but failed. British-led missions succeeded in 19th century.
• Mixing up missionary names and societies: Link each person to their organization (e.g., Townsend = CMS, Freeman = Methodist, Waddell = Presbyterian).
• Stating motives without explanation: Don’t just write “they wanted to spread Christianity.” Explain WHY and HOW they did it.
• Forgetting African missionaries: WAEC expects you to mention Samuel Ajayi Crowther and African missionaries’ roles.
• Only mentioning benefits: Balance your answer by discussing both contributions and problems missionaries caused.

Practice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who was the first African Anglican bishop in Nigeria?
a) Thomas Birch Freeman
b) Samuel Ajayi Crowther ✓
c) Herbert Macaulay
d) Henry Townsend

2. Which missionary society first established missions in Calabar?
a) Catholic Mission
b) Methodist Mission
c) Presbyterian Mission ✓
d) Baptist Mission

3. Mary Slessor is remembered mainly for fighting against:
a) Slave trade
b) Polygamy
c) Twin killing ✓
d) Female education

4. The first CMS mission station in Nigeria was established in:
a) Lagos
b) Badagry
c) Abeokuta ✓
d) Calabar

Essay/Theory Questions

1. Explain five motives for Christian missionary activities in Nigeria in the 19th century. (10 marks)

Examiner’s Tip: Discuss both religious and economic motives. Include spreading Christianity, promoting legitimate trade, abolishing slavery, introducing Western education, and preparing for colonial rule. Give examples for each motive.

2. Describe the contributions of Christian missionaries to Nigerian development. (10 marks)

Examiner’s Tip: Organize your answer into sections: Education (schools established), Healthcare (hospitals), Language Development (Crowther’s work), Stopping Harmful Practices (twin killing), and Infrastructure. Use specific examples like names of schools and missionaries.

3. State five problems faced by Christian missionaries in Nigeria and explain three of them. (10 marks)

Examiner’s Tip: First, list all five problems briefly (2 marks). Then choose three and explain each in detail (8 marks). Good choices: tropical diseases, resistance from rulers, language barriers.

4. Compare the first Portuguese missionary efforts with the 19th century missionary activities. (8 marks)

Examiner’s Tip: Create two sections. First discuss Portuguese period (15th-17th century) mentioning Benin, Warri, and reasons for failure. Second section discusses 19th century missions mentioning success factors like African missionaries, government support, and better organization.

Memory Aids

PLEASE – Remember the five main motives:

• Preaching Christianity
• Legitimate trade promotion
• Education (Western)
• Abolishing slavery
• Supporting colonization
• Ending harmful practices

Key Missionaries to Remember:

• Samuel Ajayi Crowther – CMS, first African bishop, translated Bible
• Thomas Birch Freeman – Methodist, arrived Badagry 1842
• Henry Townsend – CMS, Abeokuta 1845, Yoruba dictionary
• Mary Slessor – Presbyterian, Calabar, fought twin killing
• Hope Waddell – Presbyterian, founded Calabar mission 1846

Important Dates:

• 1485 – Portuguese missionaries visit Benin
• 1842 – Freeman and Townsend arrive (Methodist and CMS)
• 1845 – First CMS station in Abeokuta
• 1846 – Waddell starts Presbyterian mission in Calabar
• 1864 – Crowther becomes first African Anglican bishop
• 1868 – Catholic missions return to Nigeria

Related Topics

Explore more about this important period:

• Reasons for the Suppression of Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
• Samuel Ajayi Crowther and African Christianity
• Introduction of Western Education in Nigeria
• The Impact of Colonialism on Nigerian Societies
• Development of Nigerian Indigenous Churches
• Role of Mission Schools in Nigerian Nationalism