The Historical Record

The Church and the Making of Nigeria

An objective historical account of how the Church—not colonial rule—was the primary institutional force behind Nigeria’s early education, healthcare, language standardization, and media.

1842 — Methodists Build Nigeria’s First School in Badagry

On 1 January 1842, Methodist missionary Thomas Birch Freeman established a nursery school in Badagry — the first formal school in what would later become Nigeria, founded 58 years before the Nigerian state itself existed.

→ Founded the first formal school in what would become Nigeria.

The History of the Methodist Church in Nigeria

Explore the comprehensive history of the Methodist Church in Nigeria since 1842. Discover how freed African captives (Saro) and Thomas Birch Freeman shaped West African Christianity.

1853 — Baptist Medical Centre Founded in Ogbomoso

American Baptist missionaries opened what would become Baptist Medical Centre, Ogbomoso — one of the oldest continuously operating hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa, predating the Nigerian state by more than 60 years.

→ Founded one of sub-Saharan Africa's oldest continuously running hospitals.

1859 — CMS Grammar School Opens as Nigeria’s First Secondary School

The Church Missionary Society opened CMS Grammar School in Lagos in 1859 — the first secondary school in Nigeria, and the institution that produced many of the country's pre-independence professional class.

→ Founded Nigeria's first secondary school.

1885 — Catholic Mission Establishes Onitsha as an Eastern Education Hub

The Holy Ghost Fathers settled at Onitsha and built the school and seminary network that would shape education across the Eastern Region for the next century.

→ Built the eastern Catholic school and seminary network.