The Isoko of Nigeria

The Isoko of Nigeria, numbering approximately 774,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a people of nineteen autonomous clans in Nigeria's northwestern Niger Delta, whose ancestors arrived in four migratory waves from the ancient Benin Empire and eastern Nigeria beginning around 1600. They mostly adhere to Protestantism and Isoko is their primary language.

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

Fast Facts:

Affinity Group: Sub-Saharan African Peoples
Country: Nigeria
People Cluster: Benue
Primary Language(s): Isoko (iso)
Primary Religion(s): Protestantism
Population: 774,000
Strategic Progress Index (SPI): No Longer Unreached
Global Status of Evangelical Christianity (GSEC): 5% or Greater but Less than 10% Evangelical
People Group ID: PG013859
View on Joshua Project

Pray for the Isoko 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: Protestantism
Religious Affiliation: Christianity

98%
%
Protestantism Adherents

Dig Deeper (Language):

Primary Language: Isoko
Language Family: Atlantic-Congo

100%
%
Isoko Speakers

Media Resources in Isoko:

Films:
TitleLink
JESUSView Film

1 film

Bible Resources in Isoko:

Bible Name (Translation)VideoAudioText
1977 Bible Society of Nigeria✓

1 entry

Or check out the Isoko bible at Bible.com

Linked from YouVersion

SPI: No longer Unreached

The Isoko 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 Isoko:
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 Isoko of Nigeria

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
readJohn 3:14-15

Pray that the lost among them will look to the One lifted up on the cross, believing in Him and receiving eternal life.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
readRomans 5:10

Pray that God will remove obstacles to the gospel so that many will see the hope He offers through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, and be transformed from being enemies to being His friends.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
readMatthew 5:16

Pray that as people place their faith in Christ, they will be humble and give glory to God through their good deeds.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
readJohn 1:5

Pray that when discouraging days come, those who cross cultures for the sake of the gospel will be comforted as they remember that the light of Christ is stronger than the darkness that surrounds them.

Isoko Across Countries (ROP3 - 104085) 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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