The Bible Around the World
The Bible in Nigeria
Nigeria is split almost evenly between Christianity and Islam — nearly half the nation follows Christ — and a fresh translation now reveals God as a Father near to every tribe and tongue. Free online, with audio.
Yes — you can read the Bible free online in Nigeria right now. Nigeria is split almost evenly between faiths — roughly 46–50% Christian (about 110 million people) and a similar share Muslim — and while the Bible is legal, Christians in the north face severe persecution. The Father’s Heart Bible™ is free to read and hear on any phone, with no app and no account. English is Nigeria’s official language, so hundreds of millions can read it today — and the Father’s Heart Bible™ reveals something this deeply religious nation longs for: God known not as a distant power, but as a Father. Nigerian Pidgin and more heart languages are on our roadmap.
Last updated June 2026
Key takeawayNigeria is rich in faith — and the Father's Heart Bible™ invites every Nigerian, of every tribe, to know God as a near and loving Father.
Nigeria at a glance
Nigeria is the giant of Africa — the continent’s most populous nation, a powerhouse of culture and faith, and home to one of the largest Christian populations on earth alongside one of the largest Muslim populations. It is a land of extraordinary energy, diversity, and resilience.
- People
- 240 million
- Most populous
- in Africa
- Christians
- ~110 million
- Languages
- 500+
What Nigeria is known for
Few nations pulse with as much creativity and life as Nigeria — its people, music, and stories reach the whole world.
The giant of Africa
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and largest economy — roughly one in every five Africans is Nigerian.
Nollywood
Nigeria’s film industry is one of the largest on earth by output, telling African stories to a global audience.
Afrobeats to the world
From Fela Kuti to today’s global stars, Nigerian music has become a worldwide sound.
A mosaic of peoples
Over 250 ethnic groups and 500 languages — Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and many more — share one nation.
A praying nation
Nigeria is famous for vast, fervent churches and a faith woven into every part of daily life.
Resilient and enterprising
Nigerians are known the world over for entrepreneurial drive, hospitality, and hope against the odds.



Photos via Pexels & Wikimedia Commons.
Faith and the Bible in Nigeria
Nigeria is one of the most religious nations on earth, and almost evenly divided: roughly 46% Christian and 46% Muslim. With some 110 million Christians, Nigeria has one of the largest Christian populations in the world — its churches among the most vibrant anywhere.
The Bible has deep roots here. The Bible Society of Nigeria has translated Scripture into 27 Nigerian languages — Yoruba in 1884, Igbo in 1906, Hausa in 1932 — with more underway. Yet most Nigerians read the Bible in English or a few major tongues, while over 500 languages and 120 million Pidgin speakers still wait for the Father’s heart in their own words.
For all this faith, and across all this division, the deepest need is the same: to know God not as a distant judge to fear, but as a Father who draws near. That is what the Father’s Heart Bible™ was made to reveal.
Sources: Religion in Nigeria (Pew Research)Bible Society of Nigeria
What pains Nigeria
Behind Nigeria’s energy and faith, ordinary families carry heavy burdens — and it is into these exact wounds that the Father’s heart speaks.
- ~92 million
- people live in extreme poverty — about 31% of the nation
- 2,000+
- children abducted in mass kidnappings since 2014, many from schools
- 13%
- of households raise children with neither parent present
- 500+
- civilians kidnapped in a single recent year — fear stalks many regions
- intercommunal
- violence has displaced millions across the Middle Belt and north
- one of the youngest
- populations on earth — a generation longing for hope
Poverty grips a third of the nation; kidnapping and violence have stolen children from classrooms and parents from homes; and across the land, fear and fatherlessness leave deep wounds. Many children grow up without a father’s protection, and a whole generation is searching for security and hope.
These are not statistics to a Father. They are children He longs to gather. Nigeria does not need more fear — it needs to know it is held by a Father who never loses His own.
Sources: Nigeria poverty (World Bank 2024)Kidnapping in Nigeria (Nature, 2025)
What “our Father” offers Nigeria
Nigeria is a nation of deep faith and deep division — tribe from tribe, north from south, rich from poor. To a land that already knows of God, the Father’s Heart Bible™ offers the one thing that heals every divide: a Father who calls every Nigerian, of every tribe and tongue, His own beloved child.
For the one who fears God at a distance
Where God is known as a power to appease or a judge to dread, Scripture reveals the Father who runs to His child — near, not far; tender, not terrible.
For the fatherless and the stolen
To every child taken, orphaned, or growing up without a father, Scripture promises “a father to the fatherless” — a Father who never loses track of one of His own.
For a divided people
Across tribe and region and faith, the Father calls every person His beloved son or daughter — a belonging deeper than any line that divides Nigeria.
For the afraid
In a land where fear stalks many roads, the Father offers a love stronger than fear — “fear not, for I am with you” — and a refuge no danger can touch.
Why the Father's Heart Bible™ for Nigeria
God revealed as Father, near and tender
In one of the most faithful nations on earth, the Father’s Heart Bible™ reveals God as Father wherever Scripture reveals Him that way — from Genesis 1:1 onward.
Free, with audio, on any phone
No purchase, no app, no sign-up. The whole Bible is free to read online with audio on every chapter — built for the basic smartphones most Nigerians use.
Heart languages on the way
English is available today, and Nigerian Pidgin — 121 million speakers — leads a roadmap that includes Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. See the translation opportunity.
The translation opportunity in Nigeria
English reaches educated Nigerians, but the nation’s heart beats in its own tongues — led by Nigerian Pidgin, the most widely spoken language in the country, and a top-20 language of the world.
- English available now speakersAvailable
- Nigerian Pidgin 121 million speakersOn the roadmap
- Hausa 63 million speakersTranslation needed
- Yoruba 47 million speakersTranslation needed
- Igbo 33 million speakersTranslation needed
Every language is a door. If you feel called to help open one, you can sponsor a translation — or simply start reading the editions available today.
A preview in the Father’s voice
Read the opening of Scripture side by side — the English Father’s Heart Bible on the left, Nigerian Pidgin on the right.
Genesis 1 · Genesis 1 31 verses
1 In the beginning, our Heavenly Father created the heavens and the earth.
1 For di beginning, our Father wey dey Heaven create di heavens an di earth.
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of our Father was hovering over the surface of the waters.
2 Now di earth no get any shape, e empty, darkness cover di face of di deep water, an di Spirit of our Father dey hover for di top of di waters.
3 Then our Father said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
3 Den our Father talk say, "Make light dey," an light come dey.
4 He saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
4 E see say di light good, an E separate di light from di darkness.
5 He called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
5 E call di light "day," an di darkness E call "night." Evening come, morning come—na di first day be dat.
6 And our Father said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water."
6 An our Father talk say, "Make wide space dey for middle of di waters to separate water from water."
7 So he made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so.
7 So E make di wide space an E separate di water wey dey under di space from di water wey dey on top am. An e be so.
8 He called the expanse "sky." So there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
8 E call di wide space "sky." So evening come, morning come—na di second day be dat.
9 Then our Father said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.
9 Den our Father talk say, "Make di water wey dey under di sky gada for one place, an make dry ground show." An e be so.
10 He called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And he saw that it was good.
10 E call di dry ground "land," an di waters wey gada E call "seas." An E see say e good.
11 Then he said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees that bear seed-bearing fruit, each according to its kind." And it was so.
11 Den E talk say, "Make di land bring out green tins: plants wey dey carry seed, an trees wey dey bear fruit wey get seed inside am, each one according to im own kind." An e be so.
12 The land produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing seed-bearing fruit according to their kinds. And our Father saw that it was good.
12 Di land bring out green tins: plants wey dey carry seed according to dia kinds, an trees wey dey bear fruit wey get seed inside according to dia kinds. An our Father see say e good.
13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
13 An evening come, morning come—na di third day be dat.
14 And our Father said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark the seasons, the days, and the years,"
14 An our Father talk say, "Make lights dey for di wide space of di sky to separate di day from di night, an make dem serve as signs to mark di seasons, di days, an di years,"
15 "and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so.
15 "an make dem be lights for di wide space of di sky to give light for di earth." An e be so.
16 Our Father made two great lights: the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.
16 Our Father make two big lights: di bigger light to rule di day an di smaller light to rule di night. E make di stars too.
17 He set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth,
17 E put dem for di wide space of di sky to give light for di earth,
18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And he saw that it was good.
18 to rule di day an di night, an to separate light from darkness. An E see say e good.
19 So there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
19 So evening come, morning come—na di fourth day be dat.
20 Then our Father said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky."
20 Den our Father talk say, "Make di water full with living tins, an make birds dey fly on top di earth, across di wide space of di sky."
21 So he created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves and teems in the water, each according to its kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And he saw that it was good.
21 So E create di big sea tins an every living tin wey dey move an full di water, each according to im kind, an every bird wey get wing according to im kind. An E see say e good.
22 Our Father blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth."
22 Our Father bless dem an talk say, "Born plenty an multiply an full di water for di seas, an make di birds multiply for di earth."
23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
23 An evening come, morning come—na di fifth day be dat.
24 And our Father said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.
24 An our Father talk say, "Make di land bring out living tins according to dia kinds: domestic animals, tins wey dey crawl for ground, an wild animals, each according to im kind." An e be so.
25 He made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And he saw that it was good.
25 E make di wild animals according to dia kinds, di domestic animals according to dia kinds, an all di tins wey dey crawl for ground according to dia kinds. An E see say e good.
26 Then our Father said, "Let us make humanity in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over every creature that moves along the ground."
26 Den our Father talk say, "Make We make human being for Our image, like Us, so dat dem go fit rule over di fish for sea an di birds for sky, over di domestic animals, over all di earth, an over every tin wey dey crawl for ground."
27 So our Father created humanity in their own image; in the image of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit he created them; male and female he created them.
27 So our Father create human being for dia own image; for di image of di Father, Son, an Holy Spirit E create dem; man an woman E create dem.
28 Our Father blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
28 Our Father bless dem an talk give dem say, "Born plenty an multiply; full di earth an take control of am. Rule over di fish for sea an di birds for sky, an over every living tin wey dey move for ground."
29 Then he said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that bears seed-bearing fruit. They will be yours for food.
29 Den E talk say, "I don give una every plant wey dey carry seed for di whole earth an every tree wey dey bear fruit wey get seed inside. Dem go be una own for chop.
30 "And to all the animals of the earth, all the birds in the sky, and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
30 "An to all di animals of di earth, all di birds for sky, an all di tins wey dey crawl for ground—everytin wey get di breath of life inside am—I give every green plant for chop." An e be so.
31 Our Father saw all that he had made, and it was very good. So there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
31 Our Father look all di tins wey E don make, an e good well well. So evening come, morning come—na di sixth day be dat.
John 3 · John 3 36 verses
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
1 Now one man dey wey be Pharisee, dem dey call am Nicodemus, e be leader among di Jews.
2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from our Father, for no one can do these signs that you do unless our Father is with him."
2 Dis man come meet Jesus for night an talk give am say, "Rabbi, we know say na teacher wey comot from our Father you be, because nobody fit do dis signs wey you dey do, unless our Father dey with am."
3 Jesus replied to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of our Father."
3 Jesus answer am say, "Tru tru, I dey tell you, unless person born again, e no fit see di kingdom of our Father."
4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
4 Nicodemus talk give am say, "How person fit born again wey e don old? Abi e go fit enter im mama belle second time come born?"
5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of our Father."
5 Jesus answer say, "Tru tru, I dey tell you, unless person born by water an di Holy Spirit, e no fit enter di kingdom of our Father.
6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Holy Spirit is spirit.
6 Wetin born from flesh na flesh, an wetin born from di Holy Spirit na spirit.
7 Don't be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
7 No make e surprise una say I tell una, 'Una must born again.'
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Holy Spirit.
8 Di wind dey blow where e wan blow, an you dey hear im sound, but you no sabi where e dey comot or where e dey go. Na so e be for everybody wey born from di Holy Spirit."
9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"
9 Nicodemus talk give am say, "How dis tins fit happen?"
10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?"
10 Jesus answer am say, "You be di teacher of Israel, but you no understand dis tins?
11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.
11 Tru tru, I dey tell you, we dey talk wetin we sabi, we dey bear witness to wetin we don see, but una no dey accept our testimony.
12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
12 If I don tell una earthly tins an una no believe, how una go take believe if I tell una heavenly tins?
13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
13 Nobody don climb go heaven except di one wey comot for heaven come down, di Son of Man.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
14 An as Moses lift up di snake for di wilderness, na so dem must lift up di Son of Man,
15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
15 so dat anybody wey believe for am go get life wey no dey end.
16 For our Father so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
16 Because our Father love di world so tey, E give im only Son, so dat anybody wey believe for am no go perish but go get life wey no dey end.
17 For our Father did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him.
17 Because our Father no send im Son enter di world to judge di world, but so dat di world fit get salvation through am.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of our Father.
18 Anybody wey believe for am, dem no go judge am, but anybody wey no believe, dem don judge am already, because e no believe for di name of di only Son of our Father.
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
19 An na dis be di judgment: di light don come enter di world, but people love darkness pass di light because dia work na evil.
20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, for fear that his works will be exposed.
20 Because everybody wey dey do wicked tins hate di light, e no dey come near di light, because e dey fear say dem go expose im work.
21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in our Father.
21 But anybody wey dey do wetin true dey come to di light, so dat e go show clear say na for our Father e do im work.
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and there he remained with them and was baptizing.
22 After dis, Jesus an im disciples go di Judea countryside, an e stay dia with dem, e dey baptize people.
23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized,
23 John too dey baptize for Aenon near Salim, because water plenty dia, an people dey come make dem baptize dem,
24 for John had not yet been put in prison.
24 because dem neva put John for prison dat time.
25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification.
25 Now argument start between some of John im disciples an one Jew over di matter of purification.
26 And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him."
26 Dem come meet John an talk give am say, "Rabbi, di one wey dey with you for di oda side of Jordan, di one wey you bear witness for am—look, e dey baptize, an everybody dey go meet am."
27 John replied, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven."
27 John answer say, "Person no fit receive even one tin unless dem give am from heaven.
28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.'
28 Una sef fit testify say I talk, 'I no be di Christ, but na before am dem send me come.'
29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom — Jesus. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.
29 Di one wey get di bride na di bridegroom — Jesus. Di friend of di bridegroom, wey dey stand an dey hear am, dey rejoice well well wen e hear di bridegroom voice. So dis my joy don complete now.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
30 E must increase, but I must reduce.
31 The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. The one who comes from heaven is above all.
31 Di one wey comot from above dey above everytin. Di one wey be of di earth na earth e be, an na earthly tin e dey talk. Di one wey comot from heaven dey above everytin.
32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.
32 E dey bear witness to wetin e don see an hear, but nobody dey accept im testimony.
33 Whoever receives his testimony confirms that our Father is true.
33 Anybody wey accept im testimony don confirm say our Father na true God.
34 For the one whom our Father has sent speaks the words of our Father, for he gives the Holy Spirit without measure.
34 Because di one wey our Father send dey talk di words of our Father, because E dey give di Holy Spirit without measure.
35 Our Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.
35 Our Father love di Son, an E don put all tins for im hand.
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of our Father remains on him.
36 Anybody wey believe for di Son get life wey no dey end; but anybody wey no obey di Son no go see life, an di anger of our Father go remain on top am.
A complete edition — every book, print and digital, with audio — is unlocked when this language is sponsored. Sponsor this translation →
Nigeria and the world
Nigeria is not only a great mission field — it is fast becoming a great mission force. Its people and its churches are spreading across Africa and the world, carrying a fervent faith with them.
- 1 in 5
- Africans is Nigerian — its reach shapes a continent
- millions
- of Nigerians live in the US, UK, and across the world
- 121 million
- Nigerian Pidgin speakers — a top-20 world language
A mission force, not just a field
Nigerian churches now plant congregations across Africa, Europe, and the Americas. As Nigeria receives the Father’s Heart Bible™, it is positioned to carry it far beyond its borders.
The Nigerian diaspora
Millions of Nigerians live abroad — among the most educated and entrepreneurial immigrant communities in the US and UK — carrying their faith into the heart of the West.
The gateway to West Africa
As the giant of the region, Nigeria’s influence flows across West Africa — a strategic launching point for the Father’s heart to a whole continent.
Pidgin crosses borders
Nigerian Pidgin is understood across West Africa and the diaspora — a heart language whose reach extends well beyond Nigeria itself.
His Word will not return void
When our Father said, “Let there be light,” there was light. His Word accomplishes what He sends it to do. Across a nation of fervent faith and real fear, His Word will not return empty — it will find the stolen child, the grieving parent, and the searching heart, and it will not fail.
“My word… will not return to me empty, but will accomplish that which I purpose.” — Isaiah 55:11
Hear the Father’s voice
A few of the most-read passages in the world, in the Father’s Heart Bible™ — tap any reference to read and listen free.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your Father. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”
Psalm 68:5“For our Father so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16Know God as a Father near to you
Nigeria knows God. Now read Him in His own voice as Father — free, with audio, on any phone.
Read FHB freeKeep reading
Begin with the whole Bible free online with audio, learn why the Father’s Heart Bible™ exists, or get oriented with our Bible reading guides — including where to start and what the gospel is. Browse Scripture by theme on our Bible verses by topic pages.
Learn more about Nigeria
Trusted sources for the facts on this page — and for going deeper into Nigeria’s people, faith, and story.
Frequently asked questions
How many Christians are there in Nigeria?
Nigeria is home to one of the largest Christian populations in the world — roughly 46–50% of its 240 million people, or about 110 million believers, with a similar share who are Muslim. The Christian south and Muslim north meet across a central belt. You can read and hear the Bible free in the Father's Heart Bible™ at fathersheartbible.com/read.
Are Christians persecuted in Nigeria?
Yes — while the Bible is legal and the south is strongly Christian, believers in northern and central Nigeria face severe persecution, including violence from extremist groups and pressure under sharia in some states. Nigeria consistently ranks among the most dangerous countries in the world to be a Christian. The Father's Heart Bible™ reveals God as a near and loving Father, free to read with audio at fathersheartbible.com/read.
Can I read the Bible online free in Nigeria?
Yes. The Father's Heart Bible™ is free to read online with audio — no account, no purchase, no app. It is in English, which is Nigeria's official language and widely read, so hundreds of millions can read it today. A Nigerian Pidgin edition is among our priorities.
Is there an audio Bible I can listen to in Nigeria?
Yes. Every chapter of the Father's Heart Bible™ comes with free audio, so you can listen on any phone — easy to share in a culture that loves the spoken word. Globally, audio Scripture is surging, with over 1.3 billion audio-Bible listens in a single year.
What is the most popular Bible translation in Nigeria?
Most Nigerian Christians read the King James Version or the NIV in English, alongside Bibles in their heart languages. The Bible Society of Nigeria has translated Scripture into 27 Nigerian languages — Yoruba (1884), Igbo (1906), and Hausa (1932) among them — with more in progress.
Is the Father's Heart Bible available in Nigerian languages?
Not yet — it is currently in English. Nigerian Pidgin, spoken by some 121 million people, is the heart language of the nation and is on our roadmap, alongside Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo.



Photos via Pexels & Wikimedia Commons.
Read the Father’s Heart Bible™ free
From Genesis to Revelation, free online with audio — a fresh translation that reveals God as a loving Father to every beloved son and daughter, in Nigeria and around the world.
Start readingBelieve in the mission? Help take it to the nations →
Sponsor a translation
Open the door for Nigeria’s languages
A one-time $50,000 opens the door for an entire language — full translation, print, digital, and audio.
Nigerian Pidgin
121 million$50,000 one-time · 0.04¢ per reader
Also available for sponsorship
There is no greater purpose, destiny, or legacy than to reveal the Father’s heart to the Nigerian Pidgin-speaking peoples of the world.
Sponsor a languageThe Father’s Heart Bible™ around the world — read free online, country by country. Browse all nations →
