Christian leaders in Niger State have put the estimated Christian population of the state at 3,417,636, representing 45.7 per cent of the state’s projected population of 7,478,417.
The figure was disclosed on Sunday in Minna by the Chairman of the Christian Statistics Committee of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, Evangelist Marcus Salka, during a press conference.
Salka, who is also Chairman of the Nigeria Christian Youths in Politics, Niger State chapter, said the committee undertook the exercise to correct what it described as inaccurate projections of the Christian population in the state, particularly figures circulating on social media.
He explained that the estimate was derived from the 2025 projected population of 7,478,417 released by the Niger State Bureau of Statistics, alongside demographic projections, surveys and research conducted since 2025.
According to him, the projected population comprises 3,790,197 males and 3,688,220 females, with Christians estimated at 3,417,636.
Salka, who spoke alongside the committee’s Secretary, Barde Jesse, stressed that the size of the Christian population should not be determined by the level of political participation among Christians.
“The size of the Christian population should not be judged by the level of participation in active politics.
“That some Christians do not participate in active politics does not mean we do not have the number. Christians make up a significant population in Niger State,” he said.
He added that the committee would not remain silent while figures concerning the Christian population were projected without what it considers adequate evidence.
It would be recalled that the 2006 national census put Niger State’s population at 3,950,249, comprising 2,032,725 males and 1,917,524 females. However, Salka noted that the census did not capture religious affiliation, stressing that the latest Christian population figure was therefore an estimate rather than an official census figure.
The Christian leaders also attributed changes in the distribution of Christian communities across the state to prolonged insecurity and displacement.
Salka specifically mentioned Shiroro, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Wushishi and Magama among areas where he alleged that attacks had resulted in deaths and the displacement of residents, including Christians.
“Following the incessant insecurity in Christian-dominated local government areas, especially Shiroro, Munya, Paikoro, Rafi, Wushishi, Magama and others, majority of our people were killed, others relocated,” he alleged.
He further alleged that the displacement had contributed to changes in the demographic distribution of Christian communities in the affected areas, describing it as part of what he considered a deliberate attempt to reduce the Christian population in some communities.
Despite the challenges, Salka said Christians remained present across the state’s 25 local government areas, covering both rural and urban communities.
He listed major Christian blocs represented in the state to include the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Christian Council of Nigeria, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Organisation of African Instituted Churches, TEKAN and ECWA-related fellowships.
He also said the Christian population comprised members of Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Evangelical and African Instituted churches, among others.
Salka vowed that the committee would continue to challenge figures and representations it considered inaccurate concerning the Christian population in Niger State.
