How was the first attempt to establish Christianity in Nigeria why did it fail?

Portuguese explorers came to the Niger Delta in search of trade and saw an opportunity to spread their faith. They made contact with the Benin Kingdom, which was a powerful state at the time.

The Portuguese missionary Joao Afonso established a mission in Benin City, and the Oba (king) of Benin sent his son to Portugal to be educated.

The Oba himself, however, was not converted to Christianity, and the Portuguese mission eventually failed due to a lack of support from the local population and the hostility of traditional religious leaders.

Here are some of the reasons why the first attempt to establish Christianity in Nigeria failed:

- Lack of local support: The Portuguese missionaries were not able to gain a significant following among the local population. This was partly due to the fact that the Portuguese were seen as outsiders, and partly due to the fact that the missionaries were unable to effectively communicate their message in a way that resonated with the local people.

- Hostility of traditional religious leaders: The traditional religious leaders in Nigeria were opposed to the spread of Christianity, as they saw it as a threat to their own power and authority. They actively worked to undermine the Portuguese mission, and they were successful in preventing it from gaining a foothold in the country.

- Political instability: The Benin Kingdom was a politically unstable state during the 15th century. This made it difficult for the Portuguese missionaries to establish a lasting mission, as they were often caught up in political conflicts.

- Disease: The Portuguese missionaries were not immune to the diseases that were common in Nigeria, and many of them died from these diseases. This further weakened the mission and made it difficult to sustain.