Our Story & Heritage

Methodism was established in Nigeria with the arrival in 1842 of a Wesleyan Methodist Church Missionary. Two distinct expressions of the tradition were introduced: Wesleyan Methodism in the West and Primitive Methodism in the East.

I. The Wesleyan Mission and the Badagry Appeal, 1841–1842

The abolition of the slave trade in England in 1807 created conditions for Africans in the diaspora to regain freedom. This development facilitated the resettlement of freed slaves in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Among those who later returned to the West African coast was James Ferguson, who settled in Badagry, in present-day Lagos State.

Having “tasted the goodness of the LORD and being in the light,” Ferguson addressed an appeal to Rev. Thomas Dove, a Methodist Minister in Freetown. In a letter dated 2nd March, 1841, he requested that a missionary be sent to lead the people to the saving grace in Jesus. The petition was countersigned by Warranru, the King of Badagry. Its content included the following passage:

“I am now in a place of darkness where no light is. I know what I was once under light and now I am in darkness. It is to bring our fellow citizens into the way which is right, and to tell them the goodness of Jehovah, what he had done for us… so I humbly beg of you that be good and kind, and take pity on us, and send us one servant of Christ to instruct us… Please let nothing delay you except sickness.”

Ferguson’s letter received a positive response. Thomas Birch Freeman was dispatched to Nigeria. Freeman arrived in Badagry on the 24th September, 1842, accompanied by two devoted African helpers, Mr. & Mrs. William DeGraft. The missionaries received a warm welcome at Badagry.

The initial challenge encountered was accommodation. Freeman resided temporarily in his compact traveling tent, while the De Grafts occupied a bamboo store belonging to Captain Parson of the Gold Coast (now Ghana), a trader in Badagry. The following day, Sunday, no convenient structure existed for public worship. A small group of “English” Africans gathered around the missionaries, and fellowship was conducted in Freeman’s tent.

The ministry of Freeman proved fruitful. The number of believers, “those who were being saved,” increased to the point that Freeman’s tent could not contain the congregation. In response, the members hastily erected a bamboo cottage. This structure became the first church in Nigeria.

II. The Primitive Methodist Entry in the East, 1869–1893

Analogous to the Western entry, Methodism entered the Eastern part of Nigeria through a written appeal. In August, 1869, the English ship “The Elgiva” anchored in the harbour of Santa Isabel, the port at Fernando Po. The captain was Williams Robinson, and he was accompanied by James Hands, a Carpenter. Both men were devoted Primitive Methodists attached to the Church at Boundary Street in Liverpool, Britain.

In obedience to the Great Commission, they proclaimed Christ to a small gathering at Mama Job’s house. The group consisted of converts of the Baptist Mission, who had been expelled from Fernando Po by government policy in 1858. The converts were impressed by the preaching of Williams and his carpenter.

Upon the ship’s return to England, the community addressed a letter to the Primitive Methodist Missionary Society requesting that a Minister be sent. Dated 20th August, 1869, the letter stated:

“Sirs, the object of my addressing you now is to crave your help and sympathy on behalf of the inhabitants of this Island… this place was once occupied by the Baptist Missionary Society, but they were expelled after the arrival of the Romish Church on the Island, in 1858. Happy to state that the laws of Spain have granted liberty of worshiping God according to the Protestant creed to every one of her subjects in all her colonies, and the people here have the same liberty given them, and may invite a minister of any denomination to come and settle with them.”

In response to this “Macedonian Call,” the General Missionary Committee of the Primitive Methodist Connection sent Rev. R. W. Burnett and Henry Rose to Fernando Po.

In 1890, the Primitive Methodist Missionary Committee resolved to extend its mission beyond Santa Isabel. To implement this decision, the Rev. E. Fairley, the minister in charge of missionary operations in Santa Isabel, undertook explorations of estuaries and creeks east of the Island to identify a suitable site. Two towns were visited: Oron, located on the Rio Del River, and Archibong Town, located on the Aqua Effey River. Archibong Town was finally chosen. When all necessary arrangements were completed, the Rev. J. Marcus Brown and a Bubi Christian couple, Mr. and Mrs. Knox, were sent from Fernando Po in December 1893 to found a Mission Station. Thus, Archibong Town in the land of the Efik became the first Primitive Methodist Mission Station in Nigeria.

III. Amalgamation, Autonomy and Constitutional Development, 1932–2011

These two brands of Methodism amalgamated in Great Britain in 1932, giving rise to two separate Districts that operated as Western and Eastern Districts under the care of the British Conference. The decisive step towards what is now known as Methodist Church Nigeria was taken in 1961. The Western District (Wesleyan Methodism) and Eastern District (Primitive Methodism) jointly petitioned the Methodist Church Britain — the rock from which we were hewn — to grant the Church in Nigeria full autonomy.

The request was granted. Methodist Church Nigeria merged on 28 September, 1962 and became autonomous, with the Deed of Foundation of Conference signed in the old building of Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu, Lagos. The first Principal Officers appointed under the 1962 constitution were Rev. J. O. Soremekun as President of the Conference, Dr. E. U. Eyo Moma as Vice President, and Rev. Egemba Igwe as Secretary of Conference.

Methodist Church Nigeria adopted the Episcopal system of Church government in 1976 with a Constitution signed into law. The Church adopted Corporate Episcopacy rather than its monarchical form. The nomenclature of the spiritual head changed from President to Patriarch, District heads ceased to be called Chairmen but Bishops, Superintendents were changed to Presbyters in charge of Circuits, and the Vice President of Conference became Lay President — a designation that also applies at the Diocesan level.

On the spiritual side, genuine efforts were made to develop indigenous liturgies for all ethnic groups. Indigenous songs rich in African idioms, forms, philosophy and theology came into being, and young members were encouraged to candidate into the ordained ministry. The Church also began the ordination of women as Deaconesses in 1981 and as Priests in 2005, in appreciation of gender sensitivity in the vineyard of God.

These administrative changes brought internal crises that lasted till 1990, when the issues were resolved. Another Constitution came into being on 24th May, 1990: Patriarch was changed to Prelate, and the style of addressing him changed from His Pre-Eminence to His Eminence. The remaining faction fused with the Church on 24 May, 2011 at a well-attended service at Umuahia in the Eastern part of Nigeria.

IV. Social, Medical, Educational and Ecclesial Structure

Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) has been at the forefront of spiritual and social transformation, spreading scriptural holiness and investing in medical-health services and the socio-economic welfare of the people. The Church has established the Leprosy Centre at Uzuakoli, centres for the mentally ill-destitute, motherless babies’ homes and orphanages for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS — reaching out to the rejected and less privileged, and ensuring their reintegration into society.

In the area of health, MCN established the Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesha, Itu Mbang Hospital, Methodist Hospital Amachara, Royal Cross Hospital Ugwueke and several other Methodist Hospitals across the country.

MCN has from the beginning placed a very strong emphasis on education, establishing numerous schools — from Nursery through Primary to Secondary Schools and Theological Institutions — and a fledgling university, Wesley University Ondo (WUNO).

Methodist Church Nigeria is headed by the Prelate, who presides over the Conference, the overall governing body, assisted by the Secretary of Conference. Conference meets every two years. The Conference area is divided into Archdioceses; each Archdiocese is composed of not less than four Dioceses over which an Archbishop presides. The Dioceses are made of a number of circuits and headed by a Bishop who presides over the Annual Synod. The Constitution provides for Lay participation from the Local Church through to the Conference — MCN is indeed a democratic Church which believes in the Priesthood of all believers.

Methodism came late to Aba compared to other parts of Eastern Nigeria. However, through remarkable missionary decisions and later indigenous initiative, the Methodist Church became firmly established in Aba and grew to become one of the leading dioceses in the Methodist Church Nigeria.

The 1911 Conference & Early Plans

The first official consideration of Aba by Protestant missions was in 1911. According to Rev. S. K. Okpo (later Bishop of Oron) in his book, A Brief History of the Methodist Church in Eastern Nigeria, a Conference of Protestant Missionary Societies was held in Aba from January 30 to 31, 1911. Dignitaries present included:

• Rt. Rev. Bishop Tudwell, D.D. — Chairman
• Ven. Archbishop Crowther — Niger Delta Pastorate
• Rev. S. A. Bill — Qua Iboe Mission
• Rev. Nathaniel Boocock & Rev. E. E. Pritchard — Primitive Methodist Mission
• Ven. Archdeacon Dennis, M.A. — Church Missionary Society

It was unanimously agreed that the Primitive Methodist Mission should take responsibility for Aba. However, little was done to implement this decision. Societies with greater manpower and resources expanded faster; around this time Primitive Methodist work was gaining ground in Port Harcourt, Bori, Gokana and Kono, and the mission’s focus remained southward toward Port Harcourt rather than upland toward Aba.

Another major factor was the construction of the railway line in 1913. Missionaries naturally followed the railway and established church clusters along Umuahia, Uzuakoli, Ovim, Isuikwuato, Okigwe and Enugu — bypassing Aba, and giving other missions a strategic advantage.

“The Methodist message was carried to this region through the personal witness of men in their daily occupation and not through organized missionary endeavour. The missionary society was called in by persons who were already in the mission out of their concern to share the good news they had received.”

Indigenous Beginnings, 1917 – 1930

Indigenous traders and businessmen from Item, Bende LGA, Abia State, who had embraced Methodism in their homeland, brought the faith to Aba despite difficulties and opposition. Methodism in Aba officially began in 1917 as a house fellowship in a private home at Ohuru Uzo Village, near Nkwo Nwa Elechi, present-day Obingwa LGA, led by Mr. Moses Ogbonnaya Ojukwu, with weekday hymns, Bible study and prayer.

Due to growing numbers, the fellowship relocated in 1923 to 161 Jubilee Road, Aba Township, later becoming a rotating weekly fellowship in the homes of notable members. In 1930, the church acquired and built on the plot now known as 171/173 Azikiwe Road — St. Peter’s. Because the Methodist Church in Umuahia under Rev. Brewer refused full administrative responsibility, and due to resistance from other missions, the church registered as “Item Okpi Christian Society” to avoid legal consequences. More congregations were established under the guise of “Christian Associations” at 23/25 Market Road, 156 Tenant Road and 10 Azikiwe Road.

Formal Recognition & Circuit Development, 1952 – 1967

It was not until 1952 that the Methodist Church in Umuahia under Rev. Brewer officially recognized Aba as a section of the Umuahia Circuit. Church workers assigned to Aba were:

• Mr. G. U. Iweha — Catechist, father of Archbishop Iweha
• Rev. I. N. Uwaezuoke
• Catechist A. O. Uche
• Rev. G. E. Igwe
• Rev. G. M. Onyeagba — acquired Riverside Primary School, Aba
• Rev. P. C. Ezeocha — acquired the Cathedral land at 93/101 Pound Road
• Rev. J. U. E. Iheaka — through whom Aba was made a Circuit

In the course of time, more lands were acquired in many parts of Aba town and its outskirts, and Methodists from Omoba living in Aba but attending other denominations began to return.

The Civil War & the 1974 Crisis

The Nigeria–Biafra Civil War broke out in 1967. When Aba fell, the people fled to save their lives, and the war adversely affected the church’s spiritual life. The war ended in 1970. By 1974, a major crisis erupted and the church went into factions. A group — prominent among them Sir J. O. Maduka, Sir R. N. Nnamani, Sir W. M. Onyema, HRM Eze Nzenwata Mbakwe, Elder S. A. Azurunwa (Eze Church) and Dame Jemima Petterside — set up a church at 93/101 Pound Road (Back/Old Address), now 38/46 Park Road (Front Address). This is now Wesley Cathedral, the Diocesan Headquarters; its first Steward was Mr. P. O. U. Okereke.

Another church that emerged from the crisis is the one at 14/16 Igwebuike Street, currently the Aba East Diocesan Headquarters, Cathedral of Holy Trinity, Aba East. Ironically, the two churches have today grown to become Diocesan Headquarters and Cathedrals.

Revival & Church Planting, 1970s – 1990

This challenge led to a Revival Outreach anchored by the Superintendent Minister, Rev. J. N. Dimoji (later Archbishop of Enugu) at 171/173 Azikiwe Road. Subsequent revival crusades kindled a flame in youths such as Most Rev. Dr. S. I. O. Agwu, Evang. E. C. Achi, Rev. Ejike Okengwu, Very Rev. H. A. Chukwu (late), Elder Godwill Ukpabi and many others — producing leaders such as Archbishop Sunday N. Onuoha, Bishop O. O. Agbai (of blessed memory) and Very Rev. Sunday Eze. Churches planted as a result include:

• Emmanuel Methodist Church, 130 Ibadan Street
• St. John’s MCN, 23 ECN Street
• St. Charles, Ebem Street
• St. Luke’s, 242 Ohanku Road

Reunification & Diocesan Creation, 1990 Onward

In 1990, reunification was achieved, followed in 1991 by another evangelistic revolution. Churches planted during this period include St. Paul’s, Okoko Road; St. Michael, Ariaria; St. Charles, Umungasi; and the Chaplaincy Church, among others. A preaching station was opened at Obehie.

In that same 1990, the Aba/Ndoro Diocese was inaugurated with headquarters at Wesley Cathedral — First Bishop: Rt. Rev. S. A. Ibebunjo; Lay President: Sir O. Ekpemiro; Synod Secretary: Very Rev. S. I. O. Agwu. At the death of Bishop Ibebunjo, Rt. Rev. Dr. S. I. O. Agwu became Administrative Bishop of Aba, succeeded in 1999 by Rt. Rev. B. L. Onuagha, who introduced the Portable School of Evangelism.

• Education

  Riverside Primary School was built, along with Methodist High School, Park Road, Aba (permanent site 90% completed under Most Rev. G. A. Agupusi) and Methodist College, Ugwumba Estate, Owerri-Aba.

• Media

  The Methodist Press is functional and serves society.

• Health

  Plans for a cottage hospital at Owerri-Aba are ongoing, and the Diocese runs a functional medical laboratory at Park Road.

• Women's Fellowship

  Involved in skill acquisition and a scholarship scheme for indigent students.

• Land Acquisition

  The women of the old Aba Diocese sponsored land for Grace Methodist Church, Abaukwu Circuit, with more lands acquired across town for development.

The fire of evangelism still burns. The biannual ABIA MEGA Crusade is well known, and through partnership with Cecil Williamson and Vision Africa Evangelical Outreach, more than 10 churches have been planted in the Diocese. Aba remains one of the leading dioceses in the Conference.

The former Aba Diocese has now been split into Aba Main and Aba East. Aba is now the Archdiocesan Headquarters of four Dioceses: Aba Main, Owerri, Ndoro and Aba East. Under the leadership of the incumbent Archbishop, Most Rev. G. A. Agupusi, MFR, CEHF, and in synergy with the Lay President, Sir Chris Agbo, PhD, the Diocese has launched its first website and is active on social media — moving church buildings and manses from rented apartments to permanent sites, starting with Ebenezer Circuit Headquarters.

First Edition by The Rev. Emmanuel Akamadu. Edited version by The Rev. Chijiokem Ugo Azurunwa.