Christian leaders in Niger State have estimated that Christians account for about 3.42 million people in the state, representing 45.7 per cent of the projected population, while linking insecurity and displacement to changes in the distribution of Christian communities.
The leaders, operating under the Christians Statistics Committee and Nigeria Christian Youths in Politics, disclosed this position during a press conference held in Minna on Sunday.
Chairman of the committee, Deacon Marcus Salka, who spoke alongside other members of the executive, including the secretary, said the group was working to correct what it described as inaccurate figures concerning the Christian population, particularly estimates circulating on social media.
Salka explained that Nigeria’s most recent official population census did not capture religious affiliation, stressing that the 45.7 per cent figure was therefore an estimate derived from demographic projections, surveys and other research.
He said the estimate was calculated using Niger State’s projected 2025 population of 7,478,417, resulting in an estimated Christian population of about 3,417,636.
The committee chairman argued that the Christian population should not be assessed based on the number of Christians actively involved in politics.
“That some Christians do not participate in active politics does not mean we do not have the number. Christians make up a significant population in Niger State,” he insisted.
Salka also attributed changes in the geographical distribution of Christian communities to prolonged insecurity in several parts of the state.
He specifically identified Shiroro, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Wushishi and Magama as areas where attacks had allegedly resulted in deaths and displacement among communities with substantial Christian populations.
According to him, some Christians had been forced to abandon their communities while others were allegedly killed, resulting in changes to the demographic pattern of the affected areas.
“Following the incessant insecurity in Christian-dominated local government areas, especially Shiroro, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Wushishi, Magama and others, majority of our people were killed, others relocated,” he said.
He further alleged that the displacement was part of an intentional effort to reduce the Christian population in the affected communities.
Despite the reported displacement, the group maintained that Christians continue to reside in both rural and urban parts of Niger State.
Salka also referred to the 2006 census figure for Niger State, which recorded a population of 3,950,249, consisting of 2,032,725 males and 1,917,524 females.
He said the state’s population had grown considerably, citing the 2025 projection of 7,478,417 people, made up of 3,790,197 males and 3,688,220 females.
The chairman said Christian communities could be found across all 25 local government areas of the state and are represented by Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Evangelical and African Instituted churches, among others.
The Christian organisations identified by the group included the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Christian Council of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Organisation of African Instituted Churches, TEKAN and ECWA-related fellowships.
Salka said the committee’s estimate placed the Christian population at 45.7 per cent, compared with approximately 46.1 per cent and 8.2 per cent attributed to the other two major religious categories.
He reiterated that the figures were estimates and should not be interpreted as an official religious breakdown from a national population census.
The group said it would continue to challenge figures and representations it considers inaccurate regarding the Christian population of Niger State.
“We cannot, and we will never keep quiet to allow those who do not know our population to project or assume figures for us for selfish interests,” Salka further added.
Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it.
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.
Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime…
Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime…
Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime…
Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime…
Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime…
Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime…