Nigeria Bishop Offers Updates on Seminary Dispute

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Editor's note: Banyam Theological Seminary is listed as a project of The Advance, The United Methodist Church's program of second-mile mission giving administered by the General Board of Global Ministries.

Statement Condemning the Attack on Bamyam Theological Seminary

The United Methodist Church in Nigeria strongly condemns the recent attack on Bamyam Theological Seminary in Bambur by leaders and members of the Global Methodist Church (GMC) in Nigeria. This act of aggression, which included the vandalization of United Methodist landmarks, signposts, and logos specifically at the Seminary chapel, is not only an affront to our faith but a clear attempt to erase the identity and heritage of The United Methodist Church (UMC) in Nigeria.

This incident is not isolated. It is directly connected to the illegal occupation of UMC properties by the GMC, the December 15 brutal killing of 27-year-old Masoyi and two infants in Munga Dosso, and the burning down of a United Methodist Church worship center in Keru, Benue District. These coordinated attacks expose the Global Methodist Church’s ongoing campaign of intimidation, violence, and forceful takeover of UMC properties.

Last year, between November and December, we reached out to Bishops Scott Jones and John Peña with concrete suggestions on how to prevent escalating violence. To date, we have received no response. Their silence is not just negligence—it signals complicity. It has become clear that GMC leadership is not interested in peace but in forcefully converting United Methodist members into Global Methodist followers in Nigeria, using threats and violence instead of dialogue and faith.

We call on all United Methodist members in Nigeria to remain calm and peaceful. Do not be intimidated by these attacks. Our faith is built on truth and justice, not on fear or force. We will continue to stand firm against any attempt to erase our presence in Nigeria.

The Global Methodist Church in Nigeria has already broken away from the UMC, yet they shamelessly seek to seize UMC properties instead of following the rightful process. This exposes their true intentions—not a new expression of faith, but a movement driven by greed, division, and lawlessness.

We urge all stakeholders, including the international Christian community, to take a firm stand against these acts of aggression. Justice must prevail. We will not allow the legacy of The United Methodist Church in Nigeria to be destroyed by those who seek to rewrite history through violence.

FURTHER UPDATES FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP ON SITUATION IN BANYAM THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, BAMBUR

There has been a lot of confusion about the United Methodist Banyan Seminary in Nigeria. This is a seminary started and paid for by The United Methodist Church. When the former UM Bishop of Nigeria resigned and joined the Global Methodist Church in July 2024, a series of unjust and even illegal actions took place  (the former Bishop resigned under complaint on corrupt practices).

1. The breakaway GMC leaders said to the government that they were acting on behalf of the United Methodist Church and changed the name of The United Methodist Church on legal documents. To do this they forged signatures and provided false information.

2. The GMC began to use force to take over property, harass United Methodist laity and clergy and vandalize UMC property. They took funds, property and equipment belonging to the UMC and paid for by the UMC.

3. A letter was sent to Bishops Jones and Auta in November indicating that tensions were rising and that a conversation was needed about how we will work together to address the tension and maintain peace as the legal system would address the current crisis. There was no response. A month later in Munga Dosa, Nigeria, three United Methodists were killed, including two children, and ten United Methodists were wounded by members of the GMC. There were no reports of injuries to GMC members. We then heard from Bishop Jones and Auta. We invited them to work together to repair more than 20 homes that were destroyed by GMC members. Regretfully some United Methodists in their anger also damaged GMC homes. Again they did not want to work together and so United Methodists raised funds and took to the village food, clothing and funds to rebuild the homes. The United Methodists did this both for UM and GMC families.

4. Again we called to work together to achieve peace. We said until the courts resolve the issues, all property as it presently stood would continue to be overseen by that denomination until the courts resolved the matter. We also committed to put out a joint letter and that there would be no more UMC and GMC people going to one another’s property. Once again more than a month and a half and no response until the incident at the Banyam Seminary.

5. A week ago GMC members went to the Banyan Seminary and took down the UMC signs and replaced with GMC signs. We notified the police. Then Bishops Jones and Auta visited the Seminary and held meetings/conference there. No permission was granted for this to occur. Obviously the property was vandalized and signs changed by the GMC because their bishops were coming. The Chief of the area and the police said that the GMC should stay away from UMC property. Clearly this did not occur. United Methodists did go to the property and demand that the GMC leave immediately. An altercation occurred. There are two different stories of what occurred and now it will be a matter for the police. We are cooperating fully and the UM District Superintendent for the area and others confirm the events listed here.

6. The GMC leaders have continued to file complaints preventing UMC leaders from entering the country. But when Bishop Jones applied to come from the United States, we intentionally did not seek to prevent his entering the country because he has a role and ministry to perform. We committed not to repay evil for evil.

I and United Methodists continue to grieve the damage done to the witness of the church. We are committed to work for piece and allow the courts to resolve the issue. The courts will begin to take up the issues in March. We call on Bishops Jones and Auta to be responsive and responsible to work with us to maintain piece and order until the issues are resolved.

Bishop Ande Emmanuel

Resident Bishop, UMC Nigeria and Mission Districts of Senegal and Cameroon

These updates were provided to United Methodist Insight by Bishop Emmanuel from his Facebook page.