Historically, Nigeria was among the countries with the highest number of languages that still needed Bible translation work.

As of 2022, approximately 250 Vision 2025 languages in Nigeria alone still needed the translation process to begin.

Within two years, Nigeria’s Bible translation needs dropped from over 250 languages to only a few dozen.

By July 2024, that number had significantly dropped — down to only a few dozen Vision 2025 languages.

This drop is a direct result of local churches’ partnership in, and ownership of, the translation work.

In the history of Bible translation, this progress is unprecedented.

One meeting between five Nigerian partners resulted in the launch of the Aminci Cluster project. In Hausa, Aminci means “reliable” or “trustworthiness.” This four-year project will introduce 49 people groups to Jesus through Scripture.

The Aminci Cluster project is moving forward in partnership with the Nigeria Bible Translation Trust, Faith Comes By Hearing and multiple local churches and associations.

As a group of Ndokwa people walked together down the streets of their Nigerian community, they heard an unfamiliar sound.

They drew nearer to the voice and found a man reading aloud from John 1:1 — but there was something different about his words.

In the past, they’d heard Scripture read in another language that was spoken in their region. But this man was reading in Ndokwa, their own language.

Curious, they approached the man and learned that he was an Ndokwa Bible translator. The Scripture he’d been reading was from a draft of the Gospel of John, and he was asking a small group of people for feedback to ensure the meaning of the text was clear and easy to understand.

As the translator continued to read, he attracted more curious listeners. Some nearby children began to ask questions. Meanwhile, adults were delighted to discover God’s Word was being translated into their language.

“When will it be finished?” They asked.

Numerous joy-filled stories just like this are emerging from Nigeria as Bible translation efforts grow across the country.

Curious, they approached the man and learned that he was an Ndokwa Bible translator. The Scripture he’d been reading was from a draft of the Gospel of John, and he was asking a small group of people for feedback to ensure the meaning of the text was clear and easy to understand.

After listening to portions of God’s Word in Ndokwa, the young woman and her daughter decided to follow Christ!

Albarka is a Hausa word that means “blessing.” The Albarka project in Nigeria will bless people with their very first Scripture, translate the Gospels and Acts (60% of the New Testament!), and produce the “JESUS” film in six different languages! Praise God that local churches desire for these communities to know God’s love and are committed to making Scripture available in the languages and formats they clearly understand.

God has uniquely designed each of us to make His name known among the nations. Individually and collectively, we can use our gifts to pray for, serve and work for the glory of His Word.

We can clearly see God’s wonderful design playing out among the churches in Nigeria who partner and collaborate to bring His Word to their nation’s many language groups.

Praise God! Nigeria, once known as one of the top countries with the highest number of languages that needed Bible translation to begin, dropped from 250 languages to a few dozen in just two years. Join us in thanking God for how He’s raising up local churches to start Bible translation now.