The Nigeria Bible Translation Trust (NBTT) has raised concerns over inadequate funding, the decline of indigenous languages and the shortage of trained personnel, calling for greater local investment in Bible translation across Nigeria.
The Executive Director of NBTT, Mrs Patience Marcus Toma, made the call on Monday, October 12, 2026, during the organisation’s 50th anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Jos, Plateau State.
Toma said Nigeria has more than 600 minority languages, many of which require documentation, language development and Bible translation, but progress has been constrained by financial and human resource challenges.
She disclosed that approximately 95 per cent of resources supporting Bible translation work in Nigeria come from outside the country, particularly Western nations, expressing concern over the limited contributions from indigenous communities and local stakeholders.
According to her, Bible translation is capital-intensive and requires sustained investment in training translators, linguists, consultants and literacy workers.
“We cannot do translation without money. The task of translation is enormous and capital-intensive,” she said, urging Nigerians, particularly individuals and communities whose languages are being developed, to take greater responsibility for funding the work.
Toma warned that indigenous languages are dying, stressing the urgency of preserving them through documentation, literacy programmes and translation initiatives.
She also noted that NBTT has helped several language communities develop writing systems, enabling speakers to read and write in their mother tongues. Further highlighting the insecurity that has affected communities.
Delivering the keynote address, Rev. Dr Yunusa Sabo Nmadu said more than 300 Nigerian languages still lack even a single verse of Scripture, highlighting the scale of the work remaining despite five decades of progress.
Nmadu, who spoke on the theme, “Ebenezer: Celebrating 50 Years of Grace — A Burning Lamp Still Shining,” said NBTT had made significant contributions to Bible translation but could have achieved more with adequate funding.
He disclosed that more than 50 languages now have complete Bibles, while over 100 others have portions of Scripture translated into them.
He identified funding as a major factor limiting the expansion of translation projects and expressed hope that the organisation would make substantial progress in reaching underserved language communities over the next 50 years.
The figures highlight the continuing gap between Nigeria’s linguistic diversity and access to translated biblical texts, underscoring the need for sustained funding, skilled personnel and stronger partnerships.
As part of efforts to address these challenges, Toma urged the organisation to engage younger Nigerians, particularly Generation Z, in translation, linguistics, technology, advocacy and resource mobilisation.
She said social media and artificial intelligence had become important tools for reaching younger audiences, noting that mission organisations must adapt to changing communication patterns to remain relevant.
According to her, NBTT is interested in harnessing the positive applications of artificial intelligence to support Bible translation and communicate with younger generations in languages they understand.
However, the growing role of technology also presents a need to ensure that digital tools support accurate and culturally appropriate translations.
The call for youth participation reflects the importance of building a new generation of translators and language experts capable of sustaining the work as older professionals retire.
Declaring the anniversary celebration open, the President of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Dr Job Ayuba Bagat Mallam, reaffirmed the church’s commitment to supporting Bible translation and Scripture engagement.
He urged NBTT to strengthen partnerships with churches, mission agencies, academic institutions, linguists and technology experts to expand access to translated Scriptures.
Mallam also called for greater investment in young translators and scholars, while encouraging the organisation to embrace technological innovation without compromising the accuracy and integrity of Scripture.
He described the anniversary as an opportunity not only to celebrate past achievements but also to develop strategies for addressing the remaining challenges.
The ECWA president commended NBTT’s translators, linguists, volunteers, donors and partner organisations for sustaining the work over the past five decades.
A 50-year milestone with unfinished work
The three-day Golden Jubilee celebration, which began on Monday, brought together church leaders, translators, language workers and other stakeholders to reflect on NBTT’s achievements and future priorities.
Established 50 years ago, the organisation has focused on developing indigenous languages and translating the Bible into minority languages.
Toma acknowledged that the organisation had faced financial constraints, security concerns, technological changes and difficulties reaching remote communities throughout its history.
The anniversary featured musical performances, a cultural carnival celebrating the languages and communities served by NBTT, and the planned launch of a book documenting the organisation’s journey.
While the celebration marked five decades of work, the concerns raised by its leadership and keynote speaker pointed to an unfinished task: securing sustainable local funding, preserving vulnerable languages, training new personnel and expanding translation work to communities that remain underserved.
The next phase of the organisation’s work will depend on whether local stakeholders, churches, government institutions, donors and technology partners can translate these calls into sustained support for Nigeria’s linguistic communities.
