The rapid growth of the Internet in Nigeria has wrought dramatic changes to its social and financial lifestyle. In 2024, more than 199 million Nigerians were active Internet users, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Recently, though, the Internet has begun to transform religious worship Nigeria’s 200-odd million citizens. In this hyper-connected era, faith has found new expression through livestreams, gospel podcasts, devotionals on WhatsApp, prayers on TikTok, and Instagram sermons.
So powerful are these digital ministrations that some of them have snowballed into religious movements. A case in point is the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD), which airs live every morning on YouTube and Facebook.
Since it began during the pandemic lockdown in 2020, the prayer gathering has garnered over 81.4 million views on social media, as millions of expectant worshippers tune in each morning at 7.
“I was shocked, overwhelmed really,” John Ogoh, one of the church’s ministers, shared. “I can only describe it as a strange act of God. It’s not about the pastor. It’s about revival. It’s about what God is doing in this generation, using technology to shake the nations.”
This trend of digital spirituality, sometimes called e-faith, is particularly popular among Nigeria’s Gen Z and millennials. According to a recent Spotify report , Christian podcast streams spiked by a staggering 482% between 2022 and 2024, along with massive growth in gospel music streams. Much of this growth is driven by young Nigerians, who are embracing digital technology for more than just social connection.
There is also a feeling of companionship to be derived from these virtual services, especially by Nigerians in the Diaspora.
“I log into NSPPD every morning before work. I feel like I never left Nigeria. I see names from Aba, Port Harcourt, London… we’re all praying together. It’s more than a service; it’s family,” Sarah Momoh, a 27-year-old Nigerian living in Scotland, said.
“Who says God needs stained glass and microphones to move?” asked Sunday Ayeni, an Abuja-based pastor. Ayeni first experimented with digital worship in 2020, when he conducted a church service over WhatsApp. To his surprise, “people responded with testimonies! Some said they felt the presence of God right there in their bedroom,” said Ayeni, who occasionally hosts virtual services.
A recent church-based study indicated that WhatsApp had a 100% usage rate for religious communication, followed by YouTube (93%) and Facebook (90%). Respondents cited “flexibility,” “ease of access,” and “multimedia learning” as reasons for preferring digital worship.
However, the study also found that many young people lacked media literacy and were unable to verify the authenticity of some religious content. The report recommended digital literacy training for both leaders and members to ensure responsible and informed usage of platforms.
While the idea of digital worship has gained significant traction among Christians, it is steadily gaining sway among the Islamic sect.
“Social media has reduced the stress of geographical distance. From Abuja, I teach students in Sokoto and Maiduguri, and that is a blessing,” noted Abdularahman Mustapha, a cleric at the Bwari Central Mosque, Abuja.
In the past, missionaries trekked around villages to preach to people and win converts. In the present day, worshippers can attend mass or tafsir sessions on their smartphones.
Where accessibility may pose a challenge at physical worship centres, digital platforms provide inclusion to people with disabilities. Women, especially nursing mothers, keep up with activities at church while while managing their homes.
But not everyone shares this growing enthusiasm for digital worship. Some clerics express scepticism at the depth of worship.
“The church is not just a service; it’s a body. We are meant to fellowship, touch, and pray together,” says another Abuja-based preacher, Godwin Mba. “Watching a pastor on your couch in your pyjamas is not the same. We’re losing the human connection that Christ Himself modelled.”
“Too many people now believe because they watched five YouTube videos, they are scholars. There’s a loss of discipline. Some quote the Qur’an out of context,” said Cleric Mustapha.
In the same vein, rituals such as communion, baptism, ablution, and collective prayer can lose their meaning or be difficult to perform properly online, some experts reckon.
Even more troubling is the problem of accountability. Who supervises what’s being preached? How do we distinguish between genuine spiritual guidance and sensationalism?
For all its drawbacks, the evolution of faith from physical venues to digital sanctuaries points to a new reality. Amidst the declining membership at physical worship centres, Nigerian worshippers continue to seek healing and hope from the comfort of their smartphones.
“In Islam, intention (niyyah) matters,” says Mustapha. “Whether you learn at a mosque or through a Facebook Live lecture, what matters is your heart.”
The article discusses the growing trend of digital religion and spiritual practices in Nigeria, emphasizing that screens have become avenues for divine connection rather than barriers. In a population where religion is central, the digital transition has extended to worship, with Nigeria having over 199 million active internet subscriptions in 2024. Innovations such as livestreams, TikTok prayers, and religious podcasts are reshaping worship, especially among Nigerian youth, as evidenced by the rise in streaming of Christian podcasts and gospel music.
While digital platforms democratize religious access and provide inclusion for those with disabilities or geographical limitations, they also pose challenges. Concerns include the potential loss of the communal aspect of religion, the risk of sensationalism over spiritual guidance, and issues with theological accountability. A notable study reveals the high usage of platforms like WhatsApp, YouTube, and Facebook for religious communication but also highlights a lack of media literacy, suggesting the need for digital literacy training.
Despite skepticism from some clerics, who emphasize the importance of physical community and human connection in worship, digital religion offers diaspora Nigerians a sense of home and community. As faith increasingly shifts online, the screen becomes a modern shrine, reflecting a significant evolution in how Nigerians express and experience their spirituality.
