Announcement of the Calabar Nigeria Temple
President Russell M. Nelson, 17th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced the Calabar Nigeria Temple on Oct. 1, 2023, during the Sunday afternoon session of the October 2023 general conference.
Beginning in the 1950s, many Nigerians became interested in joining the Church and petitioned the First Presidency for missionaries. The Church’s restriction on Black African men holding the priesthood delayed missionary work in the country until 1978, when the restriction was lifted. When missionaries arrived, hundreds of Nigerians throughout the southeastern part of the country were ready for baptism. The first stake in Calabar was organized in 2002.
Ground will be broken for the Calabar Nigeria Temple on Dec. 5, 2026, with Elder Christian C. Chigbundu — a General Authority Seventy and member of the Africa West Area presidency — presiding.
Timeline of the Calabar Nigeria Temple
The Calabar Nigeria Temple was announced by President Nelson on Oct. 1, 2023. Ground will be broken for the temple on Dec. 5, 2026, with Elder Christian C. Chigbundu presiding.
Architecture and Design of the Calabar Nigeria Temple
According to site plans released by the Church on Nov. 10, 2025, the Calabar Nigeria Temple will be a single-story building of approximately 26,000 square feet. The edifice will stand on a 7-acre site at Atekong Drive, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Patron housing, arrival facilities and a meetinghouse are also anticipated for the grounds.