WESTERN COLONIALISM AND CHRISTIAN EVANGELIZATION IN NIGERIA: REASSESSING ITS LEGACY, CHALLENGES, AND MISSIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

The relationship between Western colonialism and Christian evangelization in Nigeria remains a subject of critical reassessment, given its enduring theological, cultural, and missiological implications. This study examines how missionary activities, largely spearheaded by European agencies such as the Church Missionary Society and the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, contributed significantly to the spread of Christianity, Western education, and social transformation in Nigeria. However, these contributions were closely intertwined with colonial structures that often promoted Western cultural hegemony alongside the Christian faith. Adopting a historical research method, this study draws on books, journal articles, and credible internet sources to analyze both the positive impacts and the inherent tensions within this legacy. It identifies key challenges arising from this intersection, including cultural alienation, the suppression and marginalization of indigenous religious expressions, structural dependency on foreign mission models, and persistent tensions between African worldviews and Western theological constructs. These challenges continue to shape contemporary Nigerian Christianity and its mission praxis. The paper argues that colonial-era evangelization frequently conflated Christianity with Western culture, thereby hindering authentic contextualization of the gospel. In response, it recommends the intentional development of self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating churches, alongside the promotion of indigenous theological education and local resource mobilization. Ultimately, the study concludes that a critical understanding of the colonial legacy is essential for reimagining mission in Nigeria. By embracing contextual theological frameworks, the Nigerian Church can overcome inherited limitations and advance a more culturally relevant, sustainable, and transformative mission in contemporary society.