Mission guide
Nigeria Owerri Mission
The Nigeria Owerri Mission serves in the Igbo heartland, centered on Owerri, a historic city in southeastern Nigeria.
- English
- Igbo
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Choose size & color →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.
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.
About the mission
Missionaries speak English and Igbo. English is widely used for communication, while Igbo is an important local language and part of daily life.
At a glance
- Country
- Nigeria
- Main city
- Owerri, population 1,401,873 in 2016
- Time zone
- West Africa Time (UTC+1)
- Climate
- Tropical wet climate, with rain during most months, a brief dry season, and Harmattan early in the dry season
- Church in Nigeria
- 250,341 members, 77 stakes, 840 congregations, 11 missions
- Languages
- English and Igbo
A short history of the area
In 1969, Owerri became the last of three capitals of the disputed Republic of Biafra. The city is bordered by the Otamiri River to the east and the Nworie River to the south, and it is sometimes called the Eastern Heartland.
The Church here
- Early 1960sChurch leaders tried to establish a mission in Nigeria after Nigerians organized unofficial congregations, but the plans were put on hold because missionary visas were unavailable and men of African descent were not then ordained to the
- 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.
- 1981The first converts in Aba joined the Church.
- 1983A Nigerian mission was organized, originally covering both Nigeria and Ghana.
- 1988Nigeria's first stake was organized in Aba, with David W. Eka as president.
- 1998The Owerri Nigeria Stake was organized.
- 2005The Aba Nigeria Temple was dedicated.
- 2016The Church organized its sixth mission in Nigeria, headquartered in Owerri.
- 2019The Owerri Nigeria North Stake was organized from a division of the Owerri Nigeria Stake.
Temples nearby
Aba Nigeria Temple
Dedicated August 7, 2005 · About 35 miles from Owerri
Uyo Nigeria Temple
Announced · About 70 miles from Owerri
Eket Nigeria Temple
Announced · About 85 miles from Owerri
Calabar Nigeria Temple
Announced · About 95 miles from Owerri
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- NdewoHello
- Kedu?How are you?
- DaalụThank you
- BikoPlease
Foods to try
- Ofe owerri (a rich soup made with meats, seafood, cocoyam, palm oil, and local leafy vegetables)
Fun facts
- Owerri covers approximately 551 square kilometers across three local government areas.
- Imo Airport, also called Sam Mbakwe Airport, is 23 kilometers southeast of Owerri.
- Nwankwo Kanu, a well-known Nigerian footballer, was born and raised in Owerri.
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