Where It's Located
The Benin City Nigeria Temple is being constructed at 16 Commercial Avenue in Benin City, Nigeria. The temple sits on a 2.17-acre site and will serve members throughout southern Nigeria. The property will also include an arrival center and patron housing.
Because the temple is still under construction, it is not yet open for temple worship or public visits.
Getting There
The nearest major airport is Benin Airport (BNI), which offers domestic service to several Nigerian cities, including Lagos and Abuja. Travelers from the United States typically fly into Nigeria through Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) in Lagos or Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV) in Abuja before taking a connecting domestic flight to Benin City.
A Bit of History
The Benin City Nigeria Temple was announced by President Russell M. Nelson during the April 2020 General Conference. It will become the third temple in Nigeria, following the Aba Nigeria Temple and the Lagos Nigeria Temple. At the time of the announcement, the Church had more than 175,000 members and approximately 650 congregations throughout Nigeria. Members in the Benin City area previously traveled more than 180 miles to the Aba Nigeria Temple, often over challenging road conditions.
The temple site was officially announced on September 11, 2023. An official exterior rendering was released on March 24, 2025, and groundbreaking took place on May 24, 2025. Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, First Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony. Construction is currently progressing with earthworks underway.
Design and Architecture
Plans call for a two-story temple containing approximately 30,700 square feet of floor space. The design features a single attached central spire and will include two instruction rooms, two sealing rooms, and one baptistry. In addition to the temple, the site will include an arrival center and patron housing to support members traveling to the temple.
Final Thoughts
The Benin City Nigeria Temple marks another significant milestone in the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nigeria. Once completed, it will bring temple worship much closer to thousands of members in southern Nigeria while continuing the remarkable expansion of the Church throughout West Africa. As construction progresses, additional milestones—including an open house and dedication—will be announced in the future.
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