The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) was established in 1913 by Danish and English missionaries to serve the regions of northeastern Nigeria. Over a century later, LCCN’s growth is nothing short of miraculous.
Today’s LCCN:
Nigeria is the sixth most populated country in the world with 224 million people – nearly double the population of other countries in Africa. About 50% of Nigerians are Muslim, 48% are Christian, and 2% are part of other traditional religions.
The current Dioceses are:
History of our Partnership
In 1990, leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod visited Nigeria to formalize our companion synod relationship. In the 1990’s and 2000’s several leadership exchanges took place between congregations and denominational leaders from our synod and LCCN.
In celebration of LCCN’s centennial anniversary in 2013, the Minneapolis Area Synod raised $450,000 to support health care in Nigeria.
In 2015 – 17, the Synod hosted a Nigerian Theologian in Residence, Ibrahim Bitrus, a recent graduate of Luther Seminary who preached and taught at congregations throughout the Synod.
In 2021 – 22, the Minneapolis Area Synod raised over $500,000 to support the establishment of Lutheran University Nigeria.
The Companion Synod program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a critical way to live our commitment to accompaniment.