Which Christian missionary groups were active in 19th-century Nigeria?

Several Christian missionary groups were active in Nigeria during the 19th century, playing a significant role in the region's religious and social development. These organizations often established mission stations in major urban centers and along key river systems to facilitate their evangelistic, educational, and medical work.12

The primary missionary groups active in 19th-century Nigeria included:

• Church Missionary Society (CMS): An Anglican organization that pioneered extensive work in Nigeria. The CMS was instrumental in establishing mission stations in locations such as Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Onitsha, Lokoja, Brass, and Bonny.12
• Presbyterians: This group was notably active in Calabar.2
• Methodists: They maintained a presence in several major southern Nigerian cities, including Lagos and Abeokuta.2
• Baptists: Like the Methodists and the CMS, Baptist missionaries were active in areas such as Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Oyo, and Ogbomoso.2
• Roman Catholics: By the 1870s, French Roman Catholic missionaries, who had previously established a presence in Ouidah, arrived in Lagos and began considering missionary work along the Niger River.2