Emirs, Evangelicals & Empire

The small Christian community in Northern Nigeria produced one President and several national leaders in the military and professions.  This is the story of its struggles, 1899-1929, in a complex Muslim society under British Indirect Rule where missionary activity was restricted.  The Church Missionary Society persevered and built a church, a school and a compound in Zaria.  Pressured to leave, the young Christian community moved out.  A much admired school was founded in Wusasa.  The most unexpected converts came from a Muslim sect, the Children of the Israelites, known as the Isawa, who particularly honoured Nabi Isa, the Prophet Jesus.