Insecurity, funding gaps hamper Bible translation, language development in Nigeria — NBTT

Insecurity and inadequate funding are hampering Bible translation and indigenous language development in Nigeria, the Nigeria Bible Translation Trust (NBTT) has said.

The organisation’s Executive Director, Patience Toma, disclosed this in Jos, Plateau State, on Monday during activities marking its 50th anniversary.

She said the challenges threaten efforts to preserve minority languages and make written materials available to their speakers.

Ms Toma said insecurity had disrupted translation projects in rural communities, forced residents to flee their homes and left some displaced people taking refuge in internally displaced persons’ (IDP) camps.

She said some Bible translators working in rural communities had been killed but added that the organisation did not have official statistics on the number of casualties.

The NBTT director called on the federal government to strengthen security in rural areas to protect language workers and enable them to continue their projects.

Beyond insecurity, she identified inadequate funding and shortages of translators, consultants and linguists as major obstacles to expanding Bible translation and language development across the country.

Ms Toma said about 95 per cent of Bible translation resources in Nigeria came from outside the country, largely from Western nations, raising concerns about the sustainability of the work without stronger local support.

She urged Nigerians, churches and local institutions to take greater responsibility for funding translation projects and preserving indigenous languages.

“We need Nigerians, churches and local institutions to show greater interest in supporting Bible translation. It is important that we take responsibility for the languages and communities that we serve,” she said.

Minority languages face funding challenges

Ms Toma said Nigeria had more than 600 minority languages, many of which still required attention in Bible translation and broader language development.

She said the NBTT had helped develop writing systems for some languages, enabling their speakers to read and write in their mother tongues.

However, she said funding constraints and a shortage of skilled personnel continued to limit the expansion of translation projects and related literacy programmes.

The challenges extend beyond translating religious texts to include documenting languages, developing writing systems and equipping communities with the skills to preserve and use their indigenous languages.

She also urged mission agencies and language development organisations to embrace digital technology and artificial intelligence to improve communication and reach younger generations.

“Social media and digital technology, including artificial intelligence, have come to stay. We must learn to use them positively to reach the younger generation through languages and formats they understand,” she said.

NBTT seeks younger translators

Reflecting on the organisation’s five decades of work, Ms Toma said its anniversary should serve as a reminder that the task of translating the Scriptures into Nigerian languages remained unfinished.

“The future of Bible translation cannot depend upon those who began the work 50 years ago,” she said, calling on younger people to take up leadership roles in information technology, language development and related fields.

She identified language documentation, literacy programmes and the adoption of emerging technologies as areas requiring sustained investment.

Ms Toma attributed the organisation’s achievements to translators, linguists, literacy workers, missionaries, volunteers, churches, donors and language communities.

“We must not only preserve the legacy we have inherited; we must build upon it,” she said.

“Fifty years have come and gone, but the mission continues. The first 50 years have given us a foundation. The next 50 years must give us a future.”

ECWA urges renewed commitment

Also speaking at the anniversary, the President of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Job Mallam, described Bible translation as an important contribution to Christian evangelism in Nigeria and beyond.

He said translating the Scriptures into indigenous languages enabled people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds to understand and respond to the Christian message.

“How can people really create an encounter, understand and respond to the gospel if the Word of God remains inaccessible to them in the language they can understand?” he asked.

Mr Mallam commended the missionaries, translators, church leaders and partner organisations that laid the foundation for Bible translation in Nigeria.

He cautioned against allowing the anniversary to become merely a celebration of past achievements, arguing that changes in communication and technology required fresh approaches to the work.

“Fifty years is a milestone, but it is not a destination,” he said.

He urged the NBTT and its partners to take advantage of digital platforms and emerging technologies to reach younger people and communities that had yet to benefit fully from Bible translation.

Mr Mallam reaffirmed ECWA’s commitment to working with the NBTT and other partners to advance Bible translation and strengthen related programmes.