Key points:
- With a focus on evangelism and income-generating projects, United Methodist bishop says the church in Nigeria is thriving spiritually and economically.
- A US $1.7 million agriculture and evangelism project was launched in August 2025, funded by local church collections, proceeds from rice farming and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
- A breakthrough last year was reuniting with the Southern Conference, which left more than a decade ago over leadership disputes.
- The government commended the reunification and approved reopening of United Methodist sanctuaries in Taraba State beginning Feb. 22.
The United Methodist Church in Nigeria made great strides in 2025 as it sought to fulfill the mandate of the Great Commission, recording membership growth and establishing agriculture ventures.
Under the leadership of Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel, the church in Nigeria is focusing on evangelism, growth and income-generating projects for financial independence and self-sustainability.
“This initiative is both a mission strategy and an economic revolution within our connection,” Emmanuel said. “The vision for agricultural programs for the Nigeria Episcopal Area is to make the church self-sustaining and to combine evangelism with empowerment.”
The bishop launched a ₦2.5 billion (US $1.7 million) agriculture and evangelism project in August. Emmanuel said after the General Council on Finance and Administration’s stewardship training at Africa University in July, the church saw an increase in giving, noting that half of the investment for the agricultural project came directly from members’ contributions.
“(This reflects) renewed trust, accountability and improved stewardship within the connection,” he said. “The other funding comes partly from proceeds from our rice farm, demonstrating our commitment to self-sustenance and the strategic use of income-generating ministries to support the mission of the church.”
The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries also has supported the farming projects through its Yambasu Agriculture Initiative.
To date, the church in Nigeria has purchased two new tractors, seven motorcycles for field evangelism and agricultural supervision, two Toyota Highlander SUVs and a dozen computers for administration to enhance food security.
“We cultivated 100 hectares (250 acres) of rice and soya beans and established a rice-processing company in Jalingo, which now stands as a beacon of sustainable ministry and economic empowerment, and purchased land for agricultural activities in Kurmi, Takum, Garin Dogo and behind Junior Seminary,” Emmanuel said. “We are transforming lives, creating jobs and demonstrating that the church can thrive spiritually and economically.”
The rice farm created 280 jobs during the rainy season and is expected to add 220 more workers in the dry season.
This past December, The United Methodist Church in Nigeria held its first joint conference for the church’s five annual conferences, including the reunified Southern Conference, which returned to The United Methodist Church after breaking away more than a decade ago over leadership disputes around the election of then-Bishop John Wesley Yohanna. In July of 2024, Yohanna and his cabinet left The United Methodist Church to join the Global Methodist Church, a breakaway denomination launched in 2022 by former United Methodists wanting a more conservative church.
The current Nigeria Episcopal Area has expanded to include the mission districts of Senegal and Cameroon.
The Rev. Philip Micah Dopah, who leads the Southern Conference, said he sees a bright future for The United Methodist Church in Nigeria.
“Looking at what God is doing among us, I can boldly say that our conference is healthy and growing. God continues to use us to overcome hatred with love, darkness with light, and to refuse the temptation to repay evil with evil. Across all levels of our church, we have many reasons to thank God,” he said.
“Let love, holiness, integrity, justice, fairness, truth and righteousness guide our lives. Let us take seriously the call of the Africa Colleges of Bishops to diversify our income sources to build a sustainable church that is not overdependent on foreign support.
“Let us plan with prayer, unity and submission to God’s will, seeking a leader after God’s heart, like David. The leadership of the conference is calling for prayers, trust, support, love, unity, tolerance and teamwork,” he said.
The Rev. Eunice Iliya, administrative secretary in the bishop’s office, also celebrated the unity and reconciliation in Nigeria.
“We are now one indivisible church. The Holy Spirit is moving the church in the direction of healing, peace and love among members.”
A Deed of Reconciliation, signed by the church leaders during the Dec. 1-7 joint meeting, ended 13 years of disputes, said the Rev. Abainitus Akila Hamman Jr., director of youth ministries and leadership development.
“This moment represents more than the end of a painful chapter,” he said. “It signals the rebirth of a united witness. In a Nigeria facing insecurity, economic hardship and social fragmentation, a reconciled church stands as a beacon of hope and moral clarity.”
Following the milestones in reconciliation in The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, the governor of Taraba State approved the resumption of worship services in sanctuaries located in Taraba starting on Feb. 22.
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A letter dated Feb. 6 from the government office stated: “Following the successful reconciliation of the United Methodist Church of Nigeria (UMCN) after a prolonged internal dispute, I am directed to formally convey His Excellency, Dr Agbu Kefas, the Governor’s approval for the church to recommence worship services.
“In view of the significance of this reconciliation, all parties are expected to be present at the service as His Excellency will personally attend the church service to demonstrate the government’s goodwill, support and commitment to sustained peace and unity within the church.”
A special thanksgiving service will be held Feb. 22. Some UMCN sanctuaries were closed in 2015 due to disputes within the church, while other United Methodist sanctuaries in Taraba State were closed in August 2024 following clashes between the UMCN and breakaway members who joined the Global Methodist Church and claimed ownership of the properties.
The Rev. David Cletus Kuturuh, a Southern Nigeria pension desk officer, also celebrated the joint conference held in December, noting that it restored hope.
“This for me,” Kuturuh said, “was prophecy come true, for the past 12 years of challenges in the Nigerian UMC. I had waited for a day like that. … I felt God building new bridges of salvation for his people and reclaiming all that the enemy had done against United Methodists in Nigeria. This was made possible through his servants, particularly Bishop Emmanuel, whose leadership style of inclusion is yielding great results.”
Kuturuh said he also was overjoyed that he was able to access funds through the episcopal office for retired clergy. He said a highlight last year was attending Wespath training in the Philippines, where he shared experiences with United Methodist pension officers from Africa, the Philippines and Europe.
“The training offered an opportunity of learning how to administer pension funds for retired clergy who served God and humanity in The UMC,” he said.
The Rev. Eli S. Yakku, cabinet dean for the episcopal area, praised the bishop for strengthening unity through intentional dialogue, reconciliation and collaborative ministry.
“His leadership has deepened peace, restored confidence and promoted collective mission.”
Yakku said that the church continues to support training and investment through scholarships; educational support; capacity-building programs for clergy, laity and youth; enhanced welfare initiatives; and a pastors’ pension plan in partnership with Wespath to ensure dignity and financial security for retired clergy.
He said the recently introduced UMCN Health Care Plan that is currently recruiting doctors, nurses and other medical personnel is aimed at establishing sustainable, accessible health facilities in the community.
“The episcopal area has recorded notable spiritual and structural expansion through strong evangelism and discipleship programs, support for missionaries and church planters, especially through provision of mobility and expansion of the church in Eastern Nigeria, where a missionary district was established to accelerate outreach and community presence,” Yakku said.
He noted that the church also has supported youth empowerment through skills development and participation in church and society.
“(Bishop Emmanuel’s) visionary leadership continues to inspire transformation across communities,” Yakku said.
In December, United Methodists in Nigeria also celebrated the withdrawal of a court case filed by the Global Methodist Church. The high court in Jalingo consented to the application to withdraw by the new denomination and awarded The United Methodist Church in Nigeria the costs of the suit.
An oft-postponed hearing for a lawsuit filed by The United Methodist Church in Nigeria pertaining to church properties seized by the breakaway group, unprocedural deregistration of the UMCN by the Corporate Affairs Commission and return of church finances was heard Jan. 28. A decision is expected to be made March 23.
Chikwanah is a UM News correspondent based in Harare, Zimbabwe.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
