Neil Jackson

Scripture Union

The Scripture Union was inaugurated in Nigeria about 1885. Groups were organized in the churches and the few schools that existed then. The first Scripture Union Committee meeting was held in Ibadan on 11th May 1957. At that time, Mr. Nigel Sylvester, now a retired International Secretary, was the Traveling Secretary for all of West Africa. In 1958, Mr. John Dean was appointed the first indigenous Traveling Secretary. He later became Regional Secretary for Africa and Malagasy and retired as International Training Consultant. Scripture Union (Nigeria) was registered on 9th October 1967 as a voluntary non-profit making Christian Organization. A Nigerian Council was established under the constitution with full powers to run the affairs of the Union in Nigeria in 1966. This Council drew its membership from all over the Federal Republic. The first Nigerian Travelling Secretary, Mr. (now Rev. Dr,) Mike Oye was appointed in July 1966. In 1972, the former Sub-Committees located in the various States were given greater powers and responsibilities and were constituted into State Committees of the National Council. They are presently called Area Committees. Sub-Committees were appointed by the Area (or State) Committees to look after the work in the various areas or zones of the States.