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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Lagos Nigeria Temple on May 10, 2025. This event marks a significant milestone for the Church and its members in Nigeria and surrounding areas. Elder Alfred Kyungu of the Seventy, Africa West Area President, presided over the ceremony.
Church President Russell M. Nelson first announced plans to build the temple during the October 2018 general conference. Since then, extensive preparations have been underway involving legal and regulatory compliance, supply chain arrangements, and coordination with local leaders.
The temple will be located at Rumens Road and Bourdillon Road in Lagos' Ikoyi neighborhood. It will cover approximately 19,800 square feet and include various rooms for religious ceremonies. The site will also feature an arrival center and patron housing.
Unlike regular meetinghouses used for weekly worship services, temples serve as places where Latter-day Saints make sacred covenants and receive ordinances. These practices are integral to their faith as they believe that family units are sealed together in temples.
In preparation for the groundbreaking event, technical teams set up equipment for live streaming and arranged seating for attendees. Elder Christian Chigbundu conducted the meeting under Elder Kyungu's direction. He emphasized that temples are constructed for making covenants with Jesus Christ.
Local youth Sister Uba Ogechci Esther spoke about preparing to attend the temple through repentance and spiritual readiness. Sister Mercy Fayehun discussed the blessings associated with temple attendance, including personal revelation and peace.
President Sunday Oyedeji shared his experiences attending a previous temple dedication in Aba, highlighting temples' significance in receiving everlasting covenants.
Elder Kyungu gave a dedicatory prayer before invited guests symbolically broke ground using ceremonial shovels. The audience was later invited to participate in this symbolic act.
Nigeria is home to over 256,000 members of the Church across numerous congregations. The Lagos temple will be Nigeria's second temple following one in Aba. Six other temples have been announced but are not yet completed.
