The Ikulu of Nigeria

The Ikulu of Nigeria, numbering approximately 108,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a Plateau-language farming people of the Zangon Kataf, Kachia, and Kauru areas in southern Kaduna State, Nigeria, whose oral traditions trace their migration from the Congo Basin and Sahel, ruled traditionally by a chief called the Agwom. They mostly adhere to Animism and Ikulu is their primary language.

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

Fast Facts:

Affinity Group: Sub-Saharan African Peoples
Country: Nigeria
People Cluster: Benue
Primary Language(s): Ikulu (ikl)
Primary Religion(s): Animism
Population: 108,000
Strategic Progress Index (SPI): No Longer Unreached
Global Status of Evangelical Christianity (GSEC): 2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
People Group ID: PG013854
View on Joshua Project

Pray for the Ikulu 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: Animism
Religious Affiliation: Ethnoreligion

70%
%
Animism Adherents

Dig Deeper (Language):

Primary Language: Ikulu
Language Family: Atlantic-Congo

100%
%
Ikulu Speakers

Media Resources in Ikulu:

Films:

No film resources are listed for this language.

Bible Resources in Ikulu:

No Bible resources are listed for this language.

Or check out the Ikulu bible at Bible.com

Linked from YouVersion

SPI: No longer Unreached

The Ikulu are No Longer Unreached, which means there are more than 2% evangelical Christian populations and there are churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. There is still more to be done among them.

Next steps for the Ikulu:
Empower local believers to begin praying for their own people
Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting
Encourage local leaders to being leading church planting strategy and looking for Unreached and Unengaged groups nearby

Pray specifically for the Ikulu of Nigeria

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
readProverbs 30:5

Pray that those who don't yet know God will trust the flawless Word of God and seek refuge in Him, finding hope and salvation instead of remaining in spiritual darkness.

The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.
readMatthew 4:16

Pray that those who dwell in darkness and live in the land of the shadow of death may be drawn out of darkness into His marvelous light.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
readIsaiah 9:6

Pray that as people place their faith in Christ, they will rejoice in the coming of the Prince of Peace because He will bring everlasting peace and rule with justice and righteousness.

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”
readActs 17:32

Ask God to give those He sends to cross cultures wisdom and discernment as they engage in spiritual conversations with those who are curious about the gospel.

Ikulu Across Countries (ROP3 - 103980) reported in the following countries:

Strategic Progress Index
All

1 people group

To download a comprehensive people group list in spreadsheet form, visit our Research Data page.

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