From Efik to Yoruba, from Urhobo to West African Pidgin, the Jehovah’s Witnesses organisation says it has been at the forefront of making Bible-based information available in the languages people speak every day.

Jehovah’s Witnesses, well-known for their public preaching, “have a long history of translating the Bible and Bible educational materials into hundreds of languages in Nigeria and around the world”.

Their official website, jw.org, is recognised as the most widely translated website in the world, according to a recent statement by the religious group.

“Translation on this scale requires extraordinary commitment and cooperation,” said Olusegun Eroyemi, national spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nigeria. “We continue to invest in translation because we believe people benefit most from Bible education when it is available in the language closest to their heart.”

Recognising the important role translation plays in promoting understanding among people of different backgrounds, the United Nations observes International Translation Day each year on September 30.

The occasion highlights the valuable contributions of language professionals worldwide. In Nigeria, a country noted for its rich linguistic diversity, Jehovah’s Witnesses have worked for decades to make Bible-based content accessible in local languages.

Today, jw.org contains material in about 26 Nigerian languages, including Nigerian Sign Language and West African Pidgin, according to the organisation, noting that these translations help millions of people access information in a language they readily understand.

To support this work, trained volunteer translators prepare a wide range of digital and printed content, including videos, music, articles, audio recordings, and Bible publications, the statement said much of this material “serves communities often underserved by digital and publishing platforms”.

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ translation efforts are supported by a global network of more than 300 remote translation offices and thousands of volunteers worldwide, including 14 remote translation offices in Nigeria.

Advanced translation and publishing technology supports their work, enabling content to be produced simultaneously in more than 1,000 languages, the statement said.

In Nigeria, recent translation projects have included Bible publications and digital content in languages such as Urhobo and West African Pidgin, helping more people gain access to the Bible’s message in a natural and meaningful way.

The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is now available in whole or in part in more than 340 languages worldwide. In addition, Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to expand the range of materials available on jw.org, which currently offers content in more than 1,100 languages.

“All people deserve access to reliable information in their own language,” Mr Eroyemi added. “Our goal is to continue making the Bible’s message available to individuals, families, and communities throughout Nigeria regardless of the language they speak.”

According to him, all content and literature published by Jehovah’s Witnesses is available to the public free of charge.