Hinduism in Nigeria
Encyclopedia
Hinduism spread to Nigeria
mainly by immigration of Hindus from India
and by way of Hare Krishna
missionaries.
Sindhis were the first to arrive in Nigeria in the early part of the nineteenth century. Initially, they were primarily engaged in trading. But gradually, while still retaining their interest in trading, they also ventured in to other fields like manufacturing and professional services. In succeeding decades, they made substantial investments in Nigeria, aggregating more than US$ 4 billion. In this way, they engaged themselves actively in the textiles sector, as well as in pharmaceuticals, fishing and various engineering industries.
and Nigeria
were both part of the British Empire
. Indians, both Muslims and Hindus alike, were brought to Great Britain's African colonies to work on the railroads. However, most of the Indian population, along with other foreigners from across the Empire, fled to either the United Kingdom
, the United States
, or back to their country of origin during the Nigerian Civil War
.
The Government of Nigeria follows a liberal and non-discriminatory policy in the grant of citizenship to resident foreign nationals. It is not surprising, therefore, that there are as many as 8,000 Nigerians of Indian origin in the country.
Starting from the 1970s, the Nigerian government and several private sector agencies began to hire a large number of Indian doctors, teachers, engineers and other professionals. Towards the end of the 1980s, many of the Indian experts decided to return to India when, with the substantial reduction in the country’s oil revenues, the country began to face severe economic problems. In spite of this, there are still as many as 17,000 Indian expatriate
s in Nigeria.
Altogether, including Nigerians of Indian origin and expatriates, there are 25,000 Hindus in Nigeria. Most are resident in Lagos
, the former capital of Nigeria.
ISKCON inaugurated the Vedic
Welfare Complex in Apapa, Lagos, launched by the Hare Krishna group in Nigeria.
: providing drinking water, medicine and education to everyone free of charge.
A central meeting place named as Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre was first built in Ibadan
and registered as a non-profit making spiritual organization in Nigeria. The site was leased for 99 years on April 19 with funding from various donors.
In Lagos
, the Sai activities were started in a private house on Victoria Island
.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
mainly by immigration of Hindus from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and by way of Hare Krishna
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness , known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...
missionaries.
Sindhis were the first to arrive in Nigeria in the early part of the nineteenth century. Initially, they were primarily engaged in trading. But gradually, while still retaining their interest in trading, they also ventured in to other fields like manufacturing and professional services. In succeeding decades, they made substantial investments in Nigeria, aggregating more than US$ 4 billion. In this way, they engaged themselves actively in the textiles sector, as well as in pharmaceuticals, fishing and various engineering industries.
Hindus of Indian origin in Nigeria
IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
were both part of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. Indians, both Muslims and Hindus alike, were brought to Great Britain's African colonies to work on the railroads. However, most of the Indian population, along with other foreigners from across the Empire, fled to either the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, or back to their country of origin during the Nigerian Civil War
Nigerian Civil War
The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Nigerian-Biafran War, 6 July 1967–15 January 1970, was a political conflict caused by the attempted secession of the southeastern provinces of Nigeria as the self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra...
.
The Government of Nigeria follows a liberal and non-discriminatory policy in the grant of citizenship to resident foreign nationals. It is not surprising, therefore, that there are as many as 8,000 Nigerians of Indian origin in the country.
Starting from the 1970s, the Nigerian government and several private sector agencies began to hire a large number of Indian doctors, teachers, engineers and other professionals. Towards the end of the 1980s, many of the Indian experts decided to return to India when, with the substantial reduction in the country’s oil revenues, the country began to face severe economic problems. In spite of this, there are still as many as 17,000 Indian expatriate
Expatriate
An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing...
s in Nigeria.
Altogether, including Nigerians of Indian origin and expatriates, there are 25,000 Hindus in Nigeria. Most are resident in Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, the former capital of Nigeria.
Hindus of Nigerian origin
Some Nigerians have converted to Hinduism mainly due to efforts of ISKCON Missionaries.ISKCON inaugurated the Vedic
Vedic
Vedic may refer to:* the Vedas, the oldest preserved Indic texts** Vedic Sanskrit, the language of these texts** Vedic period, during which these texts were produced** Vedic pantheon of gods mentioned in Vedas/vedic period...
Welfare Complex in Apapa, Lagos, launched by the Hare Krishna group in Nigeria.
Sai Organisation in Nigeria
Sri Sathya Sai Seva (Service) Organization was originally established in 1972 as a public charitable trust to carry out the mission of Sathya Sai BabaSathya Sai Baba
Śri Sathya Sai Baba , born as Sathyanarayana Raju was an Indian guru, spiritual figure, mystic, philanthropist, and educator. He claimed to be the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi, a spiritual saint and miracle worker who died in 1918 and whose teachings were an eclectic blend of Hindu and...
: providing drinking water, medicine and education to everyone free of charge.
A central meeting place named as Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre was first built in Ibadan
Ibadan
Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo State and the third largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, after Lagos and Kano, with a population of 1,338,659 according to the 2006 census. Ibadan is also the largest metropolitan geographical area...
and registered as a non-profit making spiritual organization in Nigeria. The site was leased for 99 years on April 19 with funding from various donors.
In Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, the Sai activities were started in a private house on Victoria Island
Victoria Island (Nigeria)
Victoria Island is an affluent town that encompasses a former island of the same name that sits between Lagos Island and the Lekki Peninsula in the Lagos Lagoon. It is the main business and financial centre of Lagos, Nigeria. Victoria Island is one of the most exclusive and expensive areas to...
.