History of Christianity in Nigeria
The first attempt to introduce Christianity in Nigeria date back to the 15th century. In 1486 the Portuguese through joão Afonso de Aveiro opened a tradeing port at Gwato a Benin port.
Oba Uzolua the King of benin at that time had sent an ambassador to Portugal asking for priest to teach Christian faith but he was more interested in the Portuguese alliances in order to acquire arms when trade in slave were booming. No priest was sent. The King again sent two ambassador in 1515 to renew his request for arms and priest and this Time priest were sent. So the first Church was built in August 1516 but at this time it was limited to the royal family and prominent men. But during this period the mission and missionaries supported and were involved in slave trade and their strategy which was to convert the rulers first and from there reach the populace did not work. due to the climate condition and inability of the oba to afford the missionaries the system suffered care . The missionaries left and elit died so the mission failed and faded off leaving the ruins of church and archival behind.
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