Nigeria
Artist’s statement
Title: Rest for the Weary
Artist: Gift Amarachi Ottah
Gift writes:
My artwork depicts the daily reality of rural Nigerian women whose lives are marked by endless labour from sunrise to sunset. These women traverse treacherous paths to their farms, often carrying both their harvest and their children – a toddler strapped to their back, a heavy load balanced on their head while guiding other children along unmaintained roads through thick bush.
The artwork also shows three women sitting together, their different traditional attire representing Nigeria’s diverse cultures. Though they come from different ethnic groups, their shared experiences unite them. To meet their basic survival needs, these women carry burdens and traumas that are physical, emotional and spiritual.
Yet there is hope for the many burdens these people are carrying. These burdens become bearable when we respond to Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’. When we bring our weariness to Christ and support one another in community, we find rest and strength to continue our journey.
Gift Amarachi Ottah, a final-year Mass Communication student at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike in Ebonyi State, draws inspiration from her home state of Abia in Nigeria. Following her family’s tradition in creative arts and printing, Gift has developed a unique artistic voice that speaks to the struggles and strength of Nigerian women. She was motivated to design this artwork for the 2026 World Day of Prayer programme because of the burdens that Nigerian women are facing. She hopes that her art will help to amplify their voices.
LINK DAY
We were privileged to have as Guest Speaker Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia, UN Committee on Discrimination Against Women, Chair Working Group on Inquiries & Focal Point Gender, Business and Human Rights. Esther was informative and inspirational on women’s issues – relevant not only to Nigeria but worldwide.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Land, Climate & Natural Resources
Located on the west coast of Africa, Nigeria’s diverse geography spans over 900,000 km² of land and over 850 km of coastline. The country’s climate ranges from equatorial in the south to arid in the north, with a tropical climate in the central regions. Nigeria experiences two major seasons, dry and rainy, which contribute to its rich agricultural potential.
The nation’s landscape is abundant, offering ample space for agricultural, industrial and commercial activities. Nigeria’s natural resources are vast and varied, including oil, natural gas and a wealth of solid minerals. These resources have played a significant role in shaping the country’s economy and development.
Climate Change
Nigeria faces significant environmental challenges due to climate change. Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns affect agriculture and water resources, while rising sea levels threaten coastal communities. In the north, advancing desertification leads to loss of arable land and increased competition for resources. In response, Nigeria has developed comprehensive strategies, including ratifying the Paris Agreement in 2017 and implementing a National Climate Change Policy. The country focuses on renewable energy development and participates in the Great Green Wall project to combat desertification.
BBC News Climate Change – Nigeria
Ancient and Colonial History
Nigeria’s history has been shaped by ancient civilisations, diverse migrations and colonial influences. One of the earliest known civilisations in the area was the Nok culture, which flourished between 1000 BC and AD 500. The Nok people, renowned for their terracotta sculptures, laid the foundation for iron smelting in West Africa. Their legacy can still be seen in the artistic traditions of modern Nigeria. In the southwest, the Ife civilisation emerged around the eleventh century. Known for its naturalistic bronze and terracotta sculptures, Ife became a major centre of politics, spirituality and artistry. The Yoruba people, descendants of the Ife, established several city-states, the most prominent being the Oyo Empire, which at its peak controlled a vast territory. The north saw the rise of powerful Islamic empires. The Kanem-Bornu Empire, dating back to the ninth century, became a centre of Islamic learning and commerce. The Hausa city-states and, later, the Sokoto Caliphate further shaped the region’s political and cultural landscape. In the southeast, the Igbo people developed a unique, decentralised system of governance. Their society, characterised by village democracies, stood in contrast to the more hierarchical structures of their neighbours.
European colonisation further influenced the settlement patterns in Nigeria, as colonial powers established their presence and administered different regions. The transatlantic slave trade significantly impacted Nigeria’s population composition. Millions of individuals from various ethnic groups were forcibly taken from Nigeria and transported to different parts of the Americas, resulting in the African diaspora. The return of some descendants of these slaves, commonly known as Afro-Brazilians, Afro-Cubans and Afro-Trinidadians, among others, has contributed to the cultural diversity in Nigeria.
The pivotal year of 1914 saw the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates by British Colonial Administrator Lord Frederick Lugard, creating the entity known as Nigeria. This artificial creation brought together diverse peoples with distinct histories, cultures and political systems under a single administration, setting the stage for the complex dynamics of modern Nigeria.
Birth of a Nation
On 1 October 1960, after a three-year transition period, the country emerged from British colonial rule. This period was marked by hope and optimism for the newly sovereign nation. Key figures including Nnamdi Azikiwe, who became the first President in 1963, led the country into this new era. The national anthem, ‘Nigeria, we hail thee,’ echoed the spirit of unity and pride in the fledgling nation.
The 1970s brought a summer of economic boom, primarily driven by the oil sector. This period saw rapid development in infrastructure and a burgeoning middle class. Culturally, Nigeria experienced a renaissance, with the rise of Afrobeat pioneered by Fela Kuti, and the emergence of globally recognised literature from authors including Chinua Achebe. A new national anthem, ‘Arise, O compatriots,’ adopted in 1978, reflected the nation’s growing confidence and call to service.
Overcoming Adversity
The following decades brought challenges. Nigeria grappled with political instability, including periods of military rule. The Biafran War (1967-1970) left deep scars on the national psyche. Economic challenges emerged with fluctuating oil prices and the need for diversification. Social issues like ethnic tensions, corruption and inequality came to the forefront. However, this period also saw the rise of civil society movements and a growing call for democratic governance. The country returned to democratic rule in 1999, facing the challenge of rebuilding institutions and fostering national unity.
Despite obstacles such as the Boko Haram insurgency and economic recessions, Nigeria showed remarkable resilience. This period saw significant strides in areas like shipping, telecommunications, technology start-ups and entertainment with the rise of the Nollywood film industry.
The National Pledge
Composed in 1976 by Professor Felicia Adebola Adedoyin, a respected Nigerian academic and linguist, the National Pledge reflects Nigeria’s post-civil war aspirations for unity and patriotism. The pledge reads:
I pledge to Nigeria my country,
To be faithful, loyal and honest,
To serve Nigeria with all my strength,
To defend her unity,
And uphold her honour and glory,
So help me God.
Recited daily in schools and at national ceremonies, this pledge serves as a unifying force, providing common values that transcend ethnic, religious and regional differences.
Encomiums as Adedoyin, composer of national pledge, goes home (Guardian Nigeria, 17 June 2021)
Ethnic Groups, Foods and Occupations
Nigeria’s population of over 200 million makes it the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous in the world. This demographic tapestry is woven from over 250 ethnic groups, each contributing unique cultural threads to the nation’s identity. The three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria are the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo. Beyond these major ethnic groups, Nigeria is a mosaic of other ethnic communities spread across different regions. These include the Ijaw, Tiv, Kanuri, Nupe, Itsekiri, Efik and many more, each with its own distinct cultural practices, languages and social structures. This diversity is reflected in Nigeria’s linguistic landscape, which boasts over 500 indigenous languages, while English serves as the official language, bridging communication across the nation.
Nigeria’s diverse geography and regional variations have influenced the cultivation and consumption of different staple foods across the country. In the northern regions of Nigeria, particularly the Sahel savanna, millet and sorghum are widely cultivated and serve as primary staple crops. In the southeastern part of Nigeria, cassava and yams are the primary staple foods. In the Niger Delta region, where agriculture and fishing are prominent, seafood plays a significant role in the local cuisine. The consumption of these staple foods not only sustains the Nigerian population but also reflects the cultural diversity and culinary traditions across different regions of the country.
Traditionally, Nigerians have been known as skilled agriculturists and traders, with these occupations forming the backbone of many communities. The country’s agricultural practices vary by region, influenced by local climates and traditions
The Economy
Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of nearly 450 billion US dollars – driven by a diverse range of sectors, with oil and gas accounting for about 10% of its GDP. However, Nigeria’s economy is not solely reliant on oil; the agricultural sector is a major source of employment, contributing about 20% to the GDP. The service sector including telecommunications, financial services and trade is rapidly growing and is expected to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s economic future.
The country possesses significant natural resources and a large, growing population. Despite these strengths, the country faces economic challenges, including high unemployment rates and infrastructure deficits in transport and power supply.
Arts & Culture
Nigeria’s diversity is reflected in its music, dance, visual art and theatre, which have evolved over centuries and continue to influence global culture today.
The country is renowned for its bronze and terracotta sculptures, particularly those from the ancient kingdom of Benin, dating back to the thirteenth century. The Nok culture produced some of Africa’s oldest known terracotta sculptures. Nigerian visual arts also include vibrant textile traditions, such as Adire (indigo-dyed cloth) among the Yoruba, and elaborately decorated calabashes (gourds).
In the twentieth century, artists such as Ben Enwonwu and Bruce Onobrakpeya gained international recognition for their paintings and prints that blended traditional African aesthetics with modern techniques.
Theatre and storytelling have always been integral to Nigerian culture. Traditional forms include elements of dance, music and drama. playwrights such as Wole Soyinka (who later won the Nobel Prize in Literature) and Ola Rotimi developed a distinctly Nigerian theatrical tradition that often addressed social and political issues.
Contemporary Nigerian arts continue to evolve, with artists across all mediums gaining international recognition. The film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, has become the second largest in the world in terms of annual film production. Nigerian literature, from the works of Chinua Achebe to contemporary authors such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has significantly impacted world literature.
Health
The Nigerian government has made efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, expand access to healthcare services and address health challenges facing the population. Life expectancy is currently around 56 (World Health Organisation). The National Health Act of 2014 established a framework for universal health coverage and outlined the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders in the healthcare system.
In Nigeria, several health issues require political attention and action. One of the primary concerns is the high burden of communicable diseases including malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Another area of concern involves noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. Maternal and child health is another significant area where political commitment is crucial. Nigeria has one of the highest child mortality rates (over 4%) globally. Nigeria’s 40 million women of childbearing age (between 15 and 49 years) suffer a disproportionally high level of health issues surrounding birth. While the country represents 2.4% of the world’s population, it currently contributes 10% of global deaths for pregnant mothers. Nigeria has made efforts to expand health insurance schemes to provide financial protection and improve access to healthcare services. Transparent and accountable governance systems can help curb corruption, ensure the efficient use of healthcare resources and foster public trust in the healthcare system.
Education
Education plays a vital role in shaping Nigeria’s social landscape. Nigeria has made progress in increasing access to education, with efforts focussed on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of providing inclusive and equitable education for all. However, challenges remain, particularly in remote and marginalised areas. In 2023 UNICEF recorded that in some areas just over 60% of children regularly attended primary school and that classrooms had been destroyed or damaged through the action of dissident groups. There are many national and international universities, often tied to Nigeria’s different faiths and some vocational higher education institutions – for example for police and armed services.
Women in Nigeria
Women and girls in Nigeria face numerous challenges that stem from deeply rooted gender discrimination and inequality. Despite progress in some areas, cultural norms, traditional practices and societal expectations continue to hinder the full realisation of their rights and potential. Gender discrimination affects education, employment and political representation. Girls often receive fewer educational opportunities than boys, leading to lower literacy rates and limited career prospects. In the workplace, women face discrimination in hiring, promotion and pay, despite laws prohibiting such practices.
Early marriage, particularly in rural and northern areas, forces girls as young as 12 or 13 into marriages that cut short their education and expose them to health risks. Marital violence and rape often go unreported due to cultural stigma and inadequate legal protections, while the absence of comprehensive domestic violence legislation in some states compounds these issues. Widows in Nigeria face particularly challenging circumstances. Addressing these challenges requires an approach that includes legal reforms, education, economic empowerment and changing societal attitudes.
Prominent Nigerian Women
Recognising the achievements of prominent Nigerian women acknowledges their invaluable contributions to society, both within Nigeria and globally. Their successes serve as powerful testimonies to women’s potential, breaking down stereotypes and challenging traditional gender roles. By highlighting these accomplishments, we provide role models for younger generations and promote gender equality across all sectors. Women have served in politics and governance, business and entrepreneurship, literature and art, science and technology, sport, social activism and philanthropy, faith and religion.
World Day of Prayer in Nigeria
The World Day of Prayer (WDP) movement in Nigeria stands as a powerful testament to the unity and strength of Nigerian women. Introduced in 1961, the movement has grown to encompass women from various Christian denominations across the country, fostering ecumenical cooperation and spiritual solidarity. Since its inception, WDP has provided a platform for addressing social, political, religious and economic issues affecting families and communities.
FEEDBACK – from the services: We are really enjoying hearing from our branches, seeing all of your photos, reading about and listening to feedback about your services.
In Sawston, the WDP branch asked Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE to take part. She attended the event in their village as special speaker and guest. ‘Her Nigerian heritage, her connection with Cambridge and her amazing achievement in the musical field provided a perfect background for the Nigerian service’.
Chi-chi delivered a speech before the service – a beautiful and poignant read, we are delighted to now share with others: Daughter of the Soil (PDF)
Messy Church: This year we collaborated with the Messy Church team to create a session based on the 2026 WDP material. We’re really excited about this – you can download it from our Messy Church page – we’d love to have your feedback.