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The Evolution of Methodism in Nigeria

The Wesleyan Legacy in Nigeria

The arrival of Methodism in Nigeria was not an isolated event but a planned expansion of a global spiritual movement. Founded by John Wesley in the 18th century, Methodism was built on the principle that "the world is my parish".

This core tenet drove its missionaries to spread the faith across continents, including to Africa, as part of a broader enterprise of Christian expansion and social reform. The missionary impulse was further fueled by the decline of the transatlantic slave trade and the rise of a humanitarian conscience in Europe, which saw Christian missions as a means to introduce what they termed "legitimate commerce," civilization, and Christianity to the African continent.

The history of Methodism in Nigeria is marked by two distinct and independent missionary efforts that later converged. The first, and arguably most prominent, was the Wesleyan Methodist mission. The second was the Primitive Methodist mission, which arrived decades later and established a separate presence.

The Wesleyan Mission (1842)

The foundation of the Methodist Church in Nigeria is officially dated to the arrival of the Anglo-African Wesleyan missionary Thomas Birch Freeman on September 24, 1842. Freeman, a key figure in the history of West African Methodism, arrived in Badagry from the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana) in direct response to a request from a community of formerly enslaved people who had returned to Nigeria from Sierra Leone.

This early indigenous invitation for missionary work provided a unique impetus for the mission's establishment. Freeman's work quickly expanded, and he established mission stations in Badagry and Abeokuta, laying the foundation for the church's spread west of the River Niger. He was instrumental in building the first Methodist chapel and mission house and trained early African assistants, such as William de Graft and John Martin, to aid in the propagation of the faith.

The Primitive Methodist Mission (1893)

A second, independent branch of Methodism was established with the arrival of Primitive Methodist missionaries in 1893. These missionaries came from Fernando Po, an island off Nigeria's southern coast, and began their work in eastern Nigeria, particularly in Archibong Town and parts of Igbo land.

For decades, these two branches of Methodism—the Western Nigeria District and the Eastern Nigeria District—existed and operated independently of each other.

Education as an "Integrative Force"

Christian missionaries are widely regarded as the pioneers of Western education in Nigeria. The Methodist Mission, in particular, used education as a deliberate and sophisticated tool for nation-building, far exceeding the initial goal of merely providing manpower for missions and colonial authorities.

A prime example is the establishment of three flagship post-primary institutions in the eastern region: Methodist Boys' High School, Oron (1905); Mary Hanney Girls' Secondary School, Oron (1909); and Methodist College, Uzuakoli (1923).

The founding of these schools was a conscious effort to overcome the deep-seated ethnic and social divisions of the region. For instance, Methodist Boys' High School, Oron, was designed to draw students from a "wide spectrum of the Nigerian community" and even from neighboring countries like Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon.

The school fostered a "fusion of tribes," producing students who developed a strong sense of loyalty to the nation rather than their individual ethnic groups. This commitment to a unified national identity was a hallmark of the church's educational philosophy.

However, a major national event permanently altered the church's ability to shape society in this way. The outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War in 1966 led to the government's takeover of mission schools. This action, which the sources note "adulterated" the moral foundation of the school system, significantly hampered the church's capacity to continue its nation-building efforts through education. This event represents a critical turning point where the church’s direct institutional influence on shaping the country's social fabric was fundamentally altered by a secular government.

Healthcare and Social Welfare

The Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) has long been at the forefront of social transformation through its investments in healthcare and welfare services.

The church established the Wesley Guild Hospital and numerous other Methodist hospitals across the country, providing essential healthcare services to local communities. In addition, the church created specialized institutions to care for the most vulnerable members of society, including a leprosy center, three centers for the mentally ill and destitute, and an orphanage for children affected by HIV/AIDS. These institutions are designed to reach out to the rejected and less privileged, working to reintegrate those who have been treated as outcasts back into society.

Autonomy and Structural Transformation

The move toward independence from British control was not limited to the political sphere; it had a powerful ecclesiastical counterpart. The desire for autonomy within the Methodist Church in Nigeria gained momentum in the early 1900s, reflecting the broader nationalist sentiments sweeping through Nigerian society.

The 1962 Autonomy

This drive culminated in the official declaration of autonomy on September 28, 1962, when the Conference of the Methodist Church Nigeria was constituted. The deed of foundation was signed, and The Most Revd. Dr. J.O.E. Soremekun was elected as the first President of the autonomous body, serving for five years. This pivotal moment marked the end of the church’s supervision by the British Methodist Conference.

The 1976 Episcopacy Crisis and Schism

The early years of autonomy were followed by a major internal crisis centered on the structure of church leadership. On January 20, 1976, a new constitution was ratified, inaugurating a "Patriarchate and Episcopal structure".

This change was championed by the then-President, Rev. Professor Bolaji Idowu, who sought to "indigenise" Nigerian Methodism by adopting a more hierarchical leadership system. This new structure, which created the ecclesiastical titles of Bishop, Archbishop, and Patriarch, caused a significant crisis and led to a schism. The church split into two factions: the Patriarchal side, led by His Eminence Bolaji, and the Presidential side, led by the Rt. Rev. E.A.A. Adegbola.

Reunification and the Prelate

After years of division, the two factions held a reunification service in Sagamu on March 4, 1990. A new constitution was ratified on May 24, 1990, which resolved the points of discontent and established a unified structure.

The head of the church’s title was changed to “Prelate,” and His Eminence Sunday Mbang became the first to hold this new title.

Modern Methodist Nigeria: Structure, Leadership, and Ministry

The Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) today operates as a "Connexional Episcopal Church" headed by a Prelate. This structure is a direct result of the historical compromises that unified the church in 1990.

The MCN Organizational Structure

The church's governance is deeply connectional, linking every level of its operations in fellowship, mission, and governance. The highest governing body is the Conference, which meets every two years to make decisions on all aspects of church life. The Conference Area is divided into 23 Archdioceses, 1 Council, and 122 Dioceses.

At the more localized level, the church is structured into Circuits (administrative and spiritual hubs), Local Churches (the heart of the community), Preaching Stations (budding congregations), and Fellowship Centres (small groups for prayer and study).

MCN Leadership

The hierarchy of the MCN is led by the Prelate, who serves as the ecclesiastical, pastoral, and administrative head of the church. A historical review of the church's leaders demonstrates its journey to self-identity.

His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Ali Abah
Prelate, MCN

Educational and Theological Institutions

The MCN maintains a strong emphasis on education and clergy training, a continuation of its historical legacy. The church has established Wesley University, Ondo, as a tertiary institution. Its theological colleges, such as the Methodist Theological Institute, Sagamu (founded in 1951), Methodist Theological Institute, Zonkwa, and the Methodist Theological Institute, Umuahia, are crucial for preparing both ministerial and lay leaders for service.