People group profile · PG013844
The Igbo of Nigeria
The Igbo of Nigeria, numbering about 35,190,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are an autonomous village-federation people of southeastern Nigeria whose Nri Kingdom, a priestly rather than military polity tracing to the founder-hero Eri, shaped Igbo identity before their 1967 secession as Biafra triggered Nigeria's civil war.
They are an indigenous people in the Igbo people cluster of the Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Their primary religion is Protestantism, and they primarily speak Igbo.
Fast facts
- Country
- Nigeria
- Population
- 35,190,000
- Affinity group
- Sub-Saharan African Peoples
- People cluster
- Igbo
- Primary language
- Igbo (ibo)
- Primary religion
- Protestantism
- Strategic Progress Index
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 5% or Greater but Less than 10%
- GSEC
- 5% or Greater but Less than 10% Evangelical
- Lostness priority
- Moderately Reached People Group
- Region
- Western Africa, Africa
Where they live
Gospel status
The Igbo are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 5% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Igbo
- 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
99% adherents
Primary language
Igbo · Atlantic-Congo family
100% speak Igbo
Gospel resources in Igbo
- Bible available, published 2022
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- Baịbụlụ Nsọ (BN) · video
- Union Version · audio
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Igbo
- 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.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
Igbo in other countries
The same people (ROP3 103963) is reported in 5 other countries.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Igbo | United States | 234,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Igbo | Cameroon | 124,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Igbo | Ghana | 74,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Igbo | Equatorial Guinea | 65,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Igbo | Canada | 5,700 | No Longer Unreached |
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