General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Samuel Sanusi, sat down with Josephine Ogundeji to discuss the hurdles in Bible printing and translation in Nigeria and the future of Scripture accessibility.
How has the Bible Society of Nigeria sustained its mission of Bible translation and distribution despite financial and logistical challenges?
The Bible Society of Nigeria will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year. Our roots, however, trace back to 1804 when the first Bible society was established in the UK. By 1807, its influence reached Nigeria. BSN was formally inaugurated on February 8, 1966, though before that, it operated under the British and Foreign Bible Society, with the Bible House in Apapa serving as a distribution centre.
Despite our long history, the challenges persist. Many assume BSN simply distributes Bibles. In reality, our work is multifaceted, spanning five core areas—chief among them is Bible translation. Nigeria ranks among the top four countries globally for linguistic diversity, with over 500 local languages. Yet, full Bible translations exist in only 35 Nigerian languages. BSN has completed 27 of these and is currently working on 10 more—a mix of fresh translations and revisions.
Unfortunately, Bible translation is poorly understood and under-supported. People often question why a non-profit sells Bibles. What they don’t realise is the staggering cost involved. Fifteen years ago, it cost us ₦30 million over 12 years to translate a Bible. Today, that figure has surged to at least ₦150 million, assuming optimal conditions—no resignations, consistent funding, and smooth operations over 8 years.
We recently completed a translation in a spoken Kogi State language with Yoruba roots. It took six years and cost over ₦90 million—just for translation. We don’t print Bibles in Nigeria. Production happens overseas, primarily in India or China, so we must factor in shipping, customs, and import duties. All in, producing 10,000 copies costs about ₦120 million.
If we sold each Bible at cost, the price would exceed ₦15,000 per copy. But who would buy at that price? In Nigeria, there’s a widespread expectation that Bibles should be free—even though people would gladly pay over ₦1 million for a phone. We sell the Okun Bible for just ₦2,000, thanks to donor support. Without such help, many languages might never have a Bible.
What was the first Nigerian language to have a Bible translation?
Contrary to popular belief, the first Nigerian Bible translation was in Efik, completed in Calabar. Yoruba followed, then Igbo, Hausa, and later languages like Ebira, Sefwi, and Igala.
A pivotal moment came in 1965 when Dr. Akanu Ibiam, a church leader from old Eastern Nigeria, returned from Canada after studying how national Bible societies functioned. He pushed for Nigeria’s own society, leading to BSN’s formal founding in 1966. Though Bible work predates that by over 200 years, this marked a new chapter for BSN.
What does it cost to deliver 10,000 Bibles in Nigeria?
From translation to delivery, it costs about ₦120 million to produce and distribute 10,000 Bibles. That breaks down to ₦12,000 per copy. Realistically, we should sell each for at least ₦15,000. But we can’t. People expect the Bible to be cheap or free.
We subsidise costs through fundraising. For example, the Okun Bible’s production was 60% funded by prominent sons and daughters of Okun land. Unfortunately, 80% of our overall funding still comes from international donors, not Nigerians—a trend we must reverse to preserve local languages and culture.
What are BSN’s greatest financial challenges?
BSN relies on membership-based funding. We have categories like Associates, Life Members, and Special Members. While records list over 200,000 members, fewer than 20,000 are active contributors. Many join but disengage later.
We also identify and write to individual supporters—some respond with monthly, one-time, or annual donations. Additionally, we’re supported by international partners under the United Bible Societies network.
How else does BSN raise funds?
Churches play a vital role. During Bible Week, which kicks off on a Sunday, we celebrate and promote Bible awareness. One key aspect is the Bible Sunday Collection, a special offering dedicated to supporting Bible translation and distribution. Through such efforts, we raised over ₦250 million last year from local sources—an unprecedented milestone.
How does BSN ensure cultural relevance while maintaining scriptural integrity in translations?
People often question why we still bother with translation. But I ask: “How can you download what hasn’t been translated?” Every new translation starts with rendering the text into a language that people can understand.
Confusion also arises from multiple Bible versions. For instance, the NIV and ESV are sometimes criticized for omitting verses. But many don’t realise that the original Bible manuscripts had no chapters or verses. These were later added for easier referencing. Different translations sometimes combine or split verses differently, which can appear as omissions if not properly understood. Footnotes often explain these variations.
Tell us about controversial translations, such as the Hausa Bible and the use of ‘Allah’ vs. ‘Meduka’?
In the first Hausa Bible translation, the word ‘Allah’ was used for God. Later, during a review, Hausa-speaking Christians opted to change it to ‘Meduka’ to distinguish it from Islamic connotations.
We made the change. But others ignored it and kept printing Bibles using “Allah”, leading to confusion. Critics accused BSN of altering divine language, sparking controversy—much like past debates over words like ‘Esu’ in Yoruba, chosen to represent Satan due to its cultural associations with evil.
Language is dynamic and culturally shaped. In the Tiv Bible, there was initially no reference to witches because the concept didn’t exist culturally. This sparked backlash, so we released a revised version in 2018 that included the term.
Every translation is reviewed with community members, church leaders, and language experts. We also involve Hebrew scholars, ensuring fidelity to Scripture while respecting local context. Sometimes, we must revise expressions like “white as snow” to something relatable—like “white as wool”—in regions where snow is unknown.
How involved is the government or Christian Association of Nigeria in BSN’s work?
Government involvement is minimal. Former Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola, though Muslim, occasionally sent donations. Akinwunmi Ambode gave once. But there is no consistent government support.
Even the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has not significantly supported us. In fact, channeling Bible project funds through CAN often increases our costs, with little benefit.
How many English versions has BSN published?
We currently offer several English versions, including:
- King James Version (KJV)
- Good News Bible (GNB)
- Contemporary English Version (CEV)
- New King James Version (NKJV)
- English Standard Version (ESV)
- Revised Standard Version (RSV)
We are also working on a new translation and seeking publishing rights from NID.
Has the rise of digital Bibles affected demand for physical copies?
People often say, “Why print Bibles when we can download them?” But many still request hard copies daily. Digital access requires smartphones, which many cannot afford. A good Android phone costs at least ₦150,000, whereas a printed Bible is just a few thousand naira.
The irony? People spend heavily on gadgets but expect the Bible to be free. Digital tools help, but physical Bibles remain crucial, especially in remote communities.
Final thoughts on why continued translation matters
Bible translation is an ongoing process. Languages evolve, and older versions lose clarity over time. A word like ‘spake’ in the KJV doesn’t resonate with younger readers. That’s why translations must be reviewed and updated to stay relevant without compromising meaning.
More than anything, our goal is to ensure the message of hope, peace, and salvation reaches every Nigerian, in every language, in a way they truly understand.
Punch
