The East Gbari of Nigeria

The East Gbari of Nigeria, numbering approximately 1,490,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are an East Gwari-speaking branch of the Gbagyi people, original inhabitants of the Abuja area displaced by creation of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, traditionally farmers and potters of Niger and Nasarawa states. They mostly adhere to Ethnoreligion and Gbagyi is their primary language.

Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash: East Gbari

Fast Facts:

Affinity Group: Sub-Saharan African Peoples
Country: Nigeria
People Cluster: Nupe
Primary Language(s): Gbagyi (gbr)
Primary Religion(s): Ethnoreligion
Population: 1,490,000
Strategic Progress Index (SPI): Engaged yet Unreached
Global Status of Evangelical Christianity (GSEC): Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
People Group ID: PG013752
View on Joshua Project

Pray for the East Gbari of Nigeria

Join others around the world in praying for the lost to be saved, the gospel to advance, the global Church to grow, and for laborers to be sent out and sustained in the harvest.

Dig Deeper (Religion):

Primary Religion: Ethnoreligion
Religious Affiliation: Ethnoreligion

50%
%
Ethnoreligion Adherents

Dig Deeper (Language):

Primary Language: Gbagyi
Language Family: Atlantic-Congo

90%
%
Gbagyi Speakers

Media Resources in Gbagyi:

Films:
TitleLink
JESUSView Film

1 film

Bible Resources in Gbagyi:

No Bible resources are listed for this language.

Or check out the Gbagyi bible at Bible.com

Linked from YouVersion

SPI: Unreached yet Engaged

The East Gbari are Engaged yet Unreached, which means there are less than 2% evangelical Christian populations but there are sustained efforts at establishing self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice.

Next steps for the East Gbari:
Continue prayer and fasting for this group
Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people

Pray specifically for the East Gbari of Nigeria

While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
readLuke 9:42

Pray that those who are living outside of the hope of the gospel will know and trust that Jesus offers freedom from the oppression of sin and hope in eternal life.

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
readPsalm 2:10-11

Pray for the rulers and authorities here to seek the Lord and serve Him only. Pray that the people they lead will be amazed by the work of God in their lives.

This God - his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.
readPsalm 18:30

Pray that as people place their faith in Christ, they will have access to His Word and the ability to understand it, so that they can grow in their faith and find refuge in Him.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
readEphesians 6:10

Ask God to strengthen believers with His mighty power so that as they cross cultures to share the gospel, they will stand firm against the schemes of the enemy.

Gbagyi Across Countries (ROP3 - 103266) reported in the following countries:

Strategic Progress Index
All

1 people group

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