Mission guide

Nigeria Benin City Mission

The Nigeria Benin City Mission is centered in a historic Nigerian city known for its monarchy, art, and rich cultural heritage.

English
Igbo

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Nigeria Benin City Mission shirts

Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.

Nigeria Benin City Mission T-Shirt

$29.00

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Nigeria Benin City Mission Heart Map Shirt

$29.00

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Nigeria Benin City Mission Flag Map Shirt

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission

2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in English, white ink on Maroon: “I glory in my Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink)

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Igbo on Heather Grey: “A na m enwe an̄ụrị na Jisus m”, 2 Niphaị 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Igbo

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Igbo, white ink on Midnight Navy: “A na m enwe an̄ụrị na Jisus m”, 2 Niphaị 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Igbo

$29.00

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Weak Things Become Strong, in the language of this mission

"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

Weak Things Become Strong shirt in English on Dark Heather Grey: “I make weak things become strong”, Ether 12:27

Weak Things Become Strong Shirt – English

$29.00

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Weak Things Become Strong shirt in Igbo on Heather Columbia Blue: “M ga-eme ihe ndị na-adịghị ike ka ha dịrị ike”, Ita 12:27

Weak Things Become Strong Shirt – Igbo

$29.00

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About the mission

The Nigeria Benin City Mission is based in Benin City, the capital and largest city of Edo State in southern Nigeria.

English and Igbo are spoken in the mission area.

At a glance

Country: Nigeria
Main city: Benin City (city estimate of 1,770,251 people, 2026)
Time zone: West Africa Time (UTC+1)
Climate: Hot and humid year-round, with a borderline tropical monsoon and tropical savanna climate
Languages: English and Igbo
Church in Nigeria: 250,341 members, 77 stakes, 840 congregations, 11 missions

A short history of the area

Benin City is closely connected with the history of the Edo people and the Benin Kingdom. Tradition says that Igodo was the first Ogiso, and that Prince Ọranmiyan of Ife founded the Oba dynasty. The city was once called Ile-Binu and Ubinu. Portuguese visitors later reinterpreted Ubinu as Benin.

The Portuguese visited around 1485, and Benin grew wealthy through trade in pepper and ivory. British forces captured, sacked, and burned the city on February 17, 1897. The monarchy was restored in 1914. Benin City became the capital of Edo State in 1991, when Bendel State was divided.

The Church here

Early 1960sChurch leaders attempted to establish a mission in Nigeria after Nigerians organized unofficial congregations and wrote to Church leaders.
After the Nigerian Civil WarIme Eduok, Anthony Obinna, and others ministered to people who continued to hope to join the Church.
1978Following President Spencer W. Kimball’s revelation extending priesthood ordination and temple blessings to worthy Church members of African descent, the Church was established in Nigeria.
Early or mid-1980sThe first Latter-day Saint congregation in Benin City appears to have been organized.
1988One district operated in Benin City, and the first stake in Nigeria was organized in Aba.
1993The Benin City Nigeria Stake was organized from the district in Benin City.
2005The Aba Temple was dedicated.
2018More than 160,000 Latter-day Saints lived in Nigeria.