A Historical Background of Proliferation of Churches in Nigeria

The paper discusses the historical background of proliferation of churches in Nigeria. The study is informed by the alarming rate at which churches are springing up in Nigeria. The paper aims at tracing back to the root of church proliferation. The research utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on historical data, and adopts the primary and secondary sources, including religious texts, theological treatises, scholarly articles, and archival records. The records are examined to reconstruct the historical trajectory of the proliferation of churches in Nigeria. The study reveals that the history of church proliferation in Nigeria is divided into five periods which are: the period of introducing Latin Christianity in the 15th and 16th Centuries; the period of denominationalism and missionary activities in the 19th Century from 1842 onward; the period of evolution of independent Churches; the period of indigenous African churches; and the period of the birth of Charismatic and Pentecostal churches. Amongst others, it is established in this paper that the proliferation of churches in Nigeria is caused by selfish motive for financial prosperity, doctrinal disagreements and the quest for position and power. The work recommends that, instead of establishing more churches in the nation without tangible impact on the morality of members, pastors and church leaders should focus on preaching the gospel of Christ for the purpose of building the moral and spiritual lives of her members. More so, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) should wake up to their responsibilities of controlling, regulating and punishing churches that contravene the set goals to the association. The study concludes that, although church proliferation has its positive impacts, the negative effects brought about by the proliferation of churches are overriding the good side of it which is reflecting in the current situation in the country where corruption and moral decadence are the order of the day.