For many decades, popular accounts of Christianity in Nigeria have traced its beginnings to Badagry or Abeokuta, highlighting the arrival of 19th-century Anglican and Methodist missionaries. While these towns undeniably played pivotal roles in the spread of Christianity during the colonial era, historical evidence suggests that Christianity had already taken organized and continuous root in Nigeria centuries earlier — in Benin City, through what is now known as the Holy Aruosa Cathedral, also called the Edo National Church.
Christianity and the Reign of Oba Esigie
The early Christian presence in Benin is closely linked to the reign of Oba Esigie (c. 1504–1550), one of the most influential and intellectually curious monarchs of the Benin Kingdom. Christianity gained a firm foothold during renewed diplomatic and commercial contact between Benin and Portugal in the early 16th century.
Historical records indicate that during the second visit of Portuguese explorer João Afonso d’Aveiro, the Christian faith was preached directly to Oba Esigie. Rather than resisting the new religion, the Oba showed sustained interest and took the remarkable diplomatic step of formally requesting that the Portuguese crown send Christian priests to Benin.
Arrival of Priests and Early Churches
Between 1515 and 1516, Christian priests arrived in Benin. They were accompanied by an official Benin delegation led by the Ohen-Okun, the high priest of Olokun at Ughoton, whom the Oba had earlier appointed and dispatched as an ambassador to Portugal
These priests established some of the earliest documented Christian worship centres in present-day Nigeria, including churches at Ogbelaka, Idumwunerie, and Akpakpava. Notably, the Akpakpava church site still exists today. From this early Christian network emerged Holy Aruosa, traditionally dated to around 1517.
If this dating is accepted, Holy Aruosa predates Christ Church, Badagry, and St. Peter’s Church, Ake, Abeokuta, by more than three centuries.
An Indigenous Expression of Christianity
What distinguishes Holy Aruosa Cathedral is not only its age but its indigenous character. Known as the Edo National Church, it represents a localized form of Christianity that blended early Catholic rites with Benin spiritual philosophy. Rather than displacing traditional beliefs outright, the faith evolved into a dual liturgical system, reflecting Benin’s adaptive and integrative worldview.
Within this religious framework, the Oba of Benin occupies both spiritual and temporal significance — a role that continues into the present day. This relationship was symbolically reaffirmed in recent times when the Oba held a public thanksgiving service at Holy Aruosa Cathedral.
Enduring Legacy
Benin oral tradition further holds that João Afonso d’Aveiro remained in Benin until his death and was buried there by the Oba and early Benin Christians — a powerful symbol of how deeply Christianity had taken root in the kingdom.
Badagry and Abeokuta remain essential chapters in Nigeria’s Christian history, particularly in relation to missionary expansion and Western education. However, when the question is where Christianity first took organized, continuous root in Nigeria, historical evidence strongly points to Benin City, and to Holy Aruosa Cathedral, the Edo National Church, as the country’s oldest Christian foundation.
Credit:Benin History
