Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Groundbreaking Ceremony

"Temples of the Lord are the holiest, most sacred structures in the kingdom of God," said Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, First Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Benin City Nigeria Temple on Saturday, May 24, 2025. He added, "Temples are sacred places where we make sacred covenants with God and receive blessings for ourselves and our families, living and dead." The two-story temple of will be built on a 2.17-acre site along with an arrival center and patron housing facility.¹

Temple Rendering

On March 24, 2025, the official exterior rendering for the Benin City Nigeria Temple was released to the public.²

Temple Site

On September 11, 2023, the location of the Benin City Nigeria Temple was announced as a 2.17-acre site located at 16 Commercial Avenue in Benin City. Plans call for a two-story temple of approximately 30,700 square feet with an arrival center and patron housing.³

Temple Announcement

Nigeria's third temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson on April 5, 2020, at the concluding session of the 190th Annual General Conference. Church membership in Nigeria has grown at a steady pace since the first Nigerians were baptized in 1978. There are now more than 175,000 Latter-day Saints and approximately 650 congregations. Members in Benin City currently attend the Aba Nigeria Temple, which is located over 180 miles (300 km) away over roads that can be difficult to travel.⁴

Temple Facts

The Benin City Nigeria Temple will be the third temple built in Nigeria, following the Aba Nigeria Temple (2005) and the Lagos Nigeria Temple (announced).