People group profile · PG013671
The Bariba of Nigeria
The Bariba of Nigeria, numbering about 224,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a West African people of northeastern Benin and northwestern Nigeria who share the Bariba language and a common heritage linked to the historic Borgu kingdoms, with cultural traditions rooted in agriculture, trade, and horsemanship.
They are an indigenous people in the Gur people cluster of the Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Their primary religion is Folk Islam, and they primarily speak Baatonum.
Fast facts
- Country
- Nigeria
- Population
- 224,000
- Affinity group
- Sub-Saharan African Peoples
- People cluster
- Gur
- Primary language
- Baatonum (bba)
- Primary religion
- Folk Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Expanding Unreached People Group
- Region
- Western Africa, Africa
Where they live
Gospel status
The Bariba are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Bariba
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Primary religion
Folk Islam · Islam
79% adherents
Primary language
Baatonum · Atlantic-Congo family
100% speak Baatonum
Gospel resources in Baatonum
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- 1996 Bible Society of Benin · video, audio, text
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Bariba
- Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
- Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
- Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
Bariba in other countries
The same people (ROP3 100685) is reported in 3 other countries.
Know something we don't? Submit updates to IMB Global Research.