A Jewish Revival in an Unlikely Place: Jews in Nigeria Reclaiming their Heritage
In recent times, a significant number of Nigerians, particularly those from the Igbo ethnic group, have been transitioning from Christianity and Messianic Judaism to Rabbinical Judaism. For those familiar with Torah prophecy, this event is not unusual as Hashem promised to gather His people from all over the world. Ovidai Okonjo Agbai, a key figure in the establishment of Judaism in Nigeria, shares a touching story about a Jewish visitor who was deeply moved by witnessing their Hebrew prayer service. The visitor expressed joy at seeing Hashem’s promise of uniting his people from around the world coming to fruition in his lifetime.
There has been significant growth in Judaism in Nigeria over the past decade since the return began many years ago. In a 2013 article by Shai Afshai in the Times of Israel, it was reported that there were an estimated 3000 to 5,000 Jews residing in Nigeria from 2008 to 2013, with approximately 20 to 26 synagogues in the region as per a Harvard School of Divinity publication. In 2021, as per another report, the number of Nigerian Jews increased from 3,000 in 2008 to 15,000 in 2021. During this time, numerous Christian Sabbath churches transitioned to Judaism, and numerous young men switched from Christianity to Judaism. Adat Israel, situated in Ebonyi State, Nigeria; Kehilat Israel, found in Lagos State, Nigeria; Meir Elohim, located in Rivers State, Nigeria; and numerous others have transitioned from Christian/Messianic Sabbat to Rabbinical Judaism. It is estimated that there are around 90 synagogues practicing Judaism in Nigeria. This represents a significant increase from the 26 synagogues in Nigeria in 2008.
Nigerian Judaism is currently experiencing a resurgence with many referring to it as “the homecoming of the lost sons of Yacov.” We currently have many families coming back with their entire family, including children ranging from 1 to 17 years old. We interviewed a man who returned with a household of 9 people. Several children have begun engaging in Jewish activities such as Torah and Hebrew language learning. During the 2023 Hanukkah week, one of them celebrated his bar mitzvah and has begun training to become a cantor.
In addition, several synagogues have initiated special classes for those returning, aiming to enhance their understanding of Judaism and nurture their Jewish practice. At Gihon Hebrew Synagogue, a new class named “Eden Hebrew Class” has been introduced to teach Hebrew language and Torah to children and returning adults. An African Jewish foundation named the Avraham Ben Avraham Foundation has shown support and goodwill towards this initiative. On Sundays at Gihon Hebrew Synagogue, visitors will encounter a diverse group engaging in interactive discussions about the fundamentals of Judaism with great enthusiasm.
Another community in Abuja, Nigeria, Tikvat Israel Synagogue, applied a different approach, which is the opening of their library to the public so that anyone who wants to read books on Judaism can have access for them—thanks to a new hall erected by Camp Sarah in the community. Camp Sarah is a Jewish organization that teaches Judaism and leadership to children below 15 years old; their programs started in 2023 in Abuja. It will be right to say that these approaches by some synagogues and organizations will help both old and returning Jews understand Judaism better. It will also help capture the minds of children, especially those who are returning with their parents, and convert them to the Jewish mind.
Speaking about the story of today’s current mass return to Judaism, which is happening in Nigeria, it cannot be told without first expounding the story of the germination, growth, and spread of Judaism in Nigeria. The story would not be comprehensive without acknowledging the Jews who dedicated their time, talent, and resources to sharing the Jewish narrative with the world, even though evangelism is not fully endorsed in Judaism. Rhoda Cecil and others in the United States created tracts that, as some Nigerian Jews claim, played a role in their journey to discovering the truth and converting to Judaism. Additionally, it’s important to point out individuals such as Rabbi Howard Gorin, who traveled to Nigeria during a time when Judaism was re-emerging in the West African country. Many credit his visits and support for elevating Nigerian Judaism to its current status. Also, people like filmmaker Jeff Liberman, who told the story of Nigerian Jews through the documentary “Re-Emerging: Jews of Nigeria” in 2012, Again, in 2011 and 2013, Professor William Miles, a Northeastern University Jewish Professor, released books he wrote on Nigerian Jews. One of them, “Jews of Nigeria: An Afro-Judaic Odyssey,” was released in 2011, and the other, “Among the Jubos: During the Festival of Lights,” was released in 2013.
It is regrettable that some individuals who played an instrumental part in the growth of Judaism in Nigeria cannot be mentioned in this article because of limited resources available during the writing of this piece. Their experience and efforts, involving collaboration with numerous Nigerian Jews, will be prominently featured. I trust this will adequately honor their contributions to the development of Judaism in Nigeria. Among them are five Jewish men who visited the members of Gihon Hebrew Synagogue in a primary school in Jukwoyi, where they were holding their weekly Shabbat prayer services until the owner gave them quit notice because they do not believe in Jesus. The resurgence of Judaism we are witnessing today can be traced back to the 1980s. According to sources familiar with the movement in Nigeria, individuals such as the current leader of Gihon Synagogue Abuja, Peter Ovidai Okonjo Agbai, played a significant role in its establishment. Agbai, along with others like Law Oka and Kingsley Anyim, transitioned from different religious backgrounds to initiate the Jewish worship in Nigeria, with Anyim eventually becoming the chief chazzan of Gihon Hebrew Synagogue. In 1992, Emmanuel Abor’s dedication to finding Jewish worshippers in Abuja Municipal by knocking on over 20 houses in Area 1 can be considered a noble sacrifice.
During an interview in Abuja, Nigeria, Elder Peter Okonjo Ovidai Agbai shared that his journey back to Judaism was influenced by a Jewish lady named Rhoda Cecil. After reading a tract she gave him, he began questioning his beliefs and practices as a Christian. He shared a short story about Law Oka, who has passed away, discovering Judaism while in prison and beginning to practice it in Nigeria when no one is talking about Judaism in Nigeria. “I came into contact with a religious tract from a sister in the USA. Her name is Rhoda Cecil. I think she is a Jew from America. It was Law Oka who gave me the tract. He got the tract when he was in prison in Nigeria. I read the tract and gave it to one of our brothers, Kingsley Anyim, who was still a Christian. We later went to our brother Law Oka, who gave us the tract—the same person who gave us the tract—to ask what he wanted to do with the information he got.”
Agbai explains how they left Christianity to establish the first Jewish religious gathering in Nigeria. “We went to him to find out what his decision was after reading the tract. He didn’t give us a positive answer—he was still undecided on whether to leave Christianity or not. However, he confessed that after studying the Bible portions provided in the tract, he found out that everything they said was biblically true. I told him it would be hypocritical to remain in Christianity after knowing the truth. By then, we have stopped going to church because it would be deceptive if we continued going to church after knowing this truth.” “We then announced our desire to establish Jewish worship in which the name of Jesus would not be uttered. We agreed to start Jewish worship at his residence. So, we began meeting at his place every Saturday to observe Shabbat. We eventually discovered that the Hebrew language was vital to the worship. Before then, we had no idea of Sidur; all we did was meet on Shabbat and sing conventional prayers without mentioning Jesus; instead, we called on Hashem directly. `
`Some of the returnees we spoke with expressed delight, great expectations, and a commitment to grow in their Jewish practice. Their behavior and confession make it evident that adopting Judaism is a worthwhile decision for them, as some of them admit to feeling at home in Judaism. When chatting with me, one of the returnees who converted from Messianic Shabbat to Rabbinical Judaism expressed joy and stated that he and his family have profited from what Judaism has to offer them thus far.
“My name is Yahudah, and I am an Igbo man. I was born a Christian, attended Anglican Church before joining Shabbat, and have been a member of Messianic Shabbat for many years. While still in messianism, I was still hungry for the real thing. I feel like there is something missing spiritually. There is this yearning in my soul. Today I am here, and I feel at peace. I am here with my whole family. We are nine in number. My first son did his Bar Mitzvah a few months ago, and the rest of my family is learning Hebrew as well as the Halachot. I am so happy. I am grateful to Hashem for leading me into Judaism.” I am happy with what we have learned so far.
One female returnee I interviewed shared that she embraced Judaism after initially resisting and rejecting the faith for years. According to her, her husband was the initial one to embrace Judaism, while she continued to practice Christianity. She claimed to have made every effort to convince her husband to stop practicing Judaism. Her husband never interfered with her practice of Christianity or pressured her to convert to Judaism. It was the transformation she witnessed in her husband’s character that ultimately led her to embrace Judaism.
Another woman returnee who spoke with me said she joined Judaism after years of resistance and rejection of the faith. She said her husband was the first to join Judaism, while she remained a Christian. She said she did all she could to make her husband stop practicing Judaism. Her husband, on her part, never stopped her from practicing Christianity or forced her to join Judaism. She said it was the change she later saw in her husband’s character that made her join Judaism.
“My husband was the first to join Judaism. When he told me about that, I felt disappointed because we are Christians. I was so angry with him that I was ready to fight him so he would stop practicing Judaism. I applied all forms of antics, but one surprising thing is that my husband never shows any form of anger towards me. As time went on, I discovered that my husband had positively changed character. He became a better husband and father at home. So, at a point, I was like, why don’t you go to worship with him? He was surprised when I told him I wanted to follow him to worship. He was so happy. When I got to the synagogue, I felt the type of peace I had never felt before. That is how I became a Jew. I must confess that it has been a wonderful experience for me and my family.”
Amidst the positive stories shared by the returnees and their emotional experiences, the mass return is presenting an important challenge to the global Jewish community due to the absence of a strong support system for their religious transition and practice in Nigeria. Challenges confront Judaism as a growing number of individuals return to the faith after living lives that were opposed to its teachings. It makes sense to acknowledge that the returnees are also encountering challenges. Going through a system lacking the necessary tools to fully understand the detailed facets of Judaism, particularly its stance on purification and separation laws. During an interview, a returnee named Onyema expressed his confusion about the explanations he received regarding the laws of cleanliness for women in Nida, the Sefar Torah, and the sanctity of the synagogue. One reason for this is the absence of a resident Rabbi who can provide guidance on such matters. Considering the challenges at hand, it is evident that global Jewry recognizes the importance of providing increased support from Jewish authorities for the ongoing mass return to Judaism in Nigeria. This backing is crucial to prevent any potential backlash from the returnees, who may be deterred by the current inconsistencies within the system.
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