Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Special Adviser on Christian Religion, Very Rev. Bukola Adeleke, alongside other dignitaries, witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Lagos Nigeria Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held on Saturday in Ikoyi.
Also in attendance were Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood (represented by CSP Ezekiel Ugbotor), President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Eze Anaba, and a host of media and academic figures including Dr. Reuben Abati of Arise News and Professor Tunde Akanni of Lagos State University.
Speaking at the ceremony, Elder Alfred Kyungu, President of the Africa West Area Presidency of the Church, described the temple as a “house of the Lord” where members will perform sacred ordinances and enter into lifelong covenants. He emphasized that temples differ from regular chapels as they are reserved for specific religious rites, such as eternal family sealings and other ordinances vital to the faith.
“The temple is a sacred place. It is not used for regular Sunday worship or community activities. It is dedicated to connecting people to God in deeper, eternal ways,” Elder Kyungu said.
He also underlined the temple’s broader impact, stating it would strengthen moral values and spiritual commitment among citizens, thereby contributing to nation-building.
The Lagos temple is the second of its kind in Nigeria, following the Aba Nigeria Temple, which was dedicated in 2005. Sunday Oyedeji, President of the Lagos Egbeda Stake, recalled witnessing the Aba temple’s groundbreaking over two decades ago as a young missionary and shared spiritual insights from Church President Russell M. Nelson on the blessings of temple worship.
The proposed Lagos temple will be built on a 2.7-acre site and feature a 19,800-square-foot sacred structure, an arrival centre, and patron housing.
Commending the Church, Rev. Adeleke said: “This foundation is built on solid rock. We believe God will see it to completion. The state government stands in solidarity with you on this great spiritual journey.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which began operations in Nigeria in 1978, has grown to over 233,000 members across 810 worship centres. The Lagos temple is part of a global network of 382 temples that are either operational, under construction, or announced.
President Nelson has consistently affirmed the Church’s mission to extend sacred temple blessings to members worldwide, stating: “We invite all of God’s children to come unto their Saviour, receive the blessings of the holy temple, and find enduring joy.”
