How Christianity developed Yorubaland – Prof. Omotoye
A Professor of Christian Studies at the Department of Religions, University of Ilorin, Rotimi Williams Omotoye, has highlighted the significant contributions of Christianity to the socio-economic and political
development of Yorubaland, saying that the religion has brought about civilization, enlightenment and
progress to the people of the South-Western part of Nigeria.
Prof. Omotoye made these submissions last Thursday (June 25, 2015) while delivering the 159th Inaugural
Lecture of the University of Ilorin, entitled, "Christianity as a Catalyst for Socio-Economic and Political
Change In Yorubaland, Nigeria: An Account of a Church Historian" at the University Auditorium.
In his Lecture, the Church historian emphasised the impact made by Christianity on the nation's
educational system, agriculture, as well as health care delivery, pointing out that the faith has played a
prominent role in the political and social life of the Yoruba people through the activities of Christian
missionaries.
According to Prof. Omotoye, Christianity brought about western education, which the Muslims and
Government later complemented in the establishment of schools from primary to university level. He said
that the early acceptance of Western education in Yorubaland made the ethnic group to surpass other
geographical zones in the country in educational development.
This, he remarked, "enabled the Yoruba people to be able to produce the 'firsts' in many professions and
maintain an educational gap amongst other major ethnic groups in Nigeria because of the early
opportunities provided by the Christian missionaries."
The theologian, who noted that there are 59 approved and recognised private universities in the country,
stated that "at least 31 of the universities are located in Yorubaland; 15 of the universities are owned by
Christian Missionaries; while four are established by the Muslims".
"In fact, the Muslims in Yorubaland have succeeded in establishing three functional Universities in
Yorubaland namely: Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State and
Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The fourth Islamic University, named Summit University, is
about to commence operation in Offa, again in Kwara State soonest", he said.
Prof. Omotoye also told the audience that "the Church was a pacesetter in the establishment of hospitals
and provision of health facilities". He added that the church has played a prominent role in the field of
agriculture and introduction of crops, which boost the economy, pointing out that in the political and social
life, the Church has also assisted tremendously to improve the life of the Yoruba people.
The Inaugural Lecturer further pointed to the activities of the Christian missionaries, such as J.B. Wood,
David Hinderer, Daniel Olubi, Samuel Johnson and Charles Phillip, saying that they all played active roles
in the settlement of the conflict between Ekiti Parapo and Ibadan. "The slaves who were kept by the
Ibadan war-lords were freed and returned to their various homes in Ekitiland and Ijeshaland through the
interventions of these missionaries", he said, adding that "many of them had embraced Christianity in
Ibadan, Lagos and Abeokuta".
Prof. Omotoye explained that the cessation of wars led to economic development in Yorubaland and there
was a free flow of trade and commerce, adding that "it also led to the establishment of schools by the
different missionary bodies".
Noting that the Yoruba people are religious by nature, Prof. Omotoye stressed that the use of Yoruba
language in the spread of the gospel was a major factor that contributed to the survival and growth of
Christianity in Yorubaland.
He said, "In the 19th Century, as soon as a church was built in a community, at least a primary school
would be opened nearby to educate the children of the converts", he disclosed.
According to the don, "the introduction of printing technology was also a contributory factor to the
expansion of Christianity in Yorubaland". He said that "the construction of railway lines by the colonial
government in the early 20th century from Southern Nigeria to Northern Nigeria was also a contributory
factor to the expansion of Christianity to Ilorin".
The Church historian, in his lecture, also delved extensively into the efforts made by the Christian
Missionary Enterprise in Yorubaland,, highlighting five attempts made by missionaries since the 15th
century to the 1970s.
Prof. Omotoye, however, stressed the need for Churches and religious organisations in the country to
document their history because the political and socio-economic history of the nation are also linked and
inter-related to religious matters. He maintained that there is a need for an enduring sense of history, if
development is to be sustained and change effected in Nigeria.
"Archives, where diaries of religious and political leaders are to be kept for posterity, should be built by
Government, and be made available to Church historians and other scholars for documentation," he further
suggested.
While admonishing Church historians to avoid distortions of historical facts in pleasing a particular
denomination of the Christian faith, the scholar enjoined those within the academic community to organise
annual academic conferences, just as he canvassed that they be given priority in sponsorship to local,
national and international conferences, so as to make the history of Churches and their contributions
known to the outside world.
He said, "Nigerian Church historians and those in Diaspora should intensify their efforts in documenting the
religious activities of Nigerian preachers in foreign countries, and that Nigerian historical Church
documents kept in foreign archives should be repatriated to Nigeria for accessibility to Church historians in
the country."
Prof. Omotoye lamented the dwindling and lack of moral values in the political and socio-economic life of
Nigerians and advocated an urgent need to make Religious Studies a compulsory subject at the secondary
school level, saying this will guard young minds against vices such as bribery and corruption.
On inter-religious harmony in the society, the Inaugural Lecturer tasked religious leaders in Yorubaland in
particular, and the country at large, to continue to maintain religious understanding and harmonious co-
existence, irrespective of their religious and political affiliations.
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