People group profile · PG013842
The Igala of Nigeria
The Igala of Nigeria, numbering about 1,870,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are an ethnolinguistic people of the Niger-Benue confluence in central Nigeria whose identity is rooted in the historic Igala Kingdom centered at Idah and longstanding cultural and political ties across the Middle Belt.
They are an indigenous people in the Yoruba people cluster of the Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Their primary religion is Protestantism, and they primarily speak Igala.

Fast facts
- Country
- Nigeria
- Population
- 1,870,000
- Affinity group
- Sub-Saharan African Peoples
- People cluster
- Yoruba
- Primary language
- Igala (igl)
- Primary religion
- Protestantism
- Strategic Progress Index
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5%
- GSEC
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
- Lostness priority
- Marginally Reached People Group
- Region
- Western Africa, Africa
Where they live
Gospel status
The Igala are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 2% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Igala
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Primary religion
Protestantism · Christianity
78% adherents
Primary language
Igala · Atlantic-Congo family
100% speak Igala
Gospel resources in Igala
- Bible available, published 2019
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- JESUS (Igala)
Bibles
- 1970 Bible Society of Nigeria · video, audio
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Igala
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
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