BSN launches Primary School Bible competition to boost scriptural literacy

2026-03-08 - 07:37

By Olayinka Latona The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) has announced plans to host the 5th edition of its National Primary School Bible Competition as part of efforts to promote scriptural literacy and strengthen moral instruction among Nigerian children. The competition is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Salvation Army Auditorium in Onipanu, Lagos. According to the organisers, the initiative is designed to re-engage young pupils with the Bible while encouraging a culture of reading and moral development at an early stage. Although the competition will feature schools from the Lagos area, BSN officials described the programme as part of a broader national effort to address what they consider a decline in Bible literacy and reading culture among school children. Six schools, including New Estate Baptist Nursery & Primary School and Elias International Nursery & Primary School, are expected to participate in the quiz competition. Each school will be represented by two pupils who will answer questions drawn from the Contemporary English Version (CEV) Illustrated Children’s Bible. The organisers noted that beyond being an academic exercise, the competition aims to instill Christian virtues and values in pupils during their formative years. They added that the programme also seeks to revive interest in reading among young learners, particularly at a time when digital distractions are increasingly affecting traditional study habits. Speaking on the initiative, the Manager of Media and Public Relations of BSN, Benjamin Mordi, said the goal is to help children engage with the teachings of the Bible in ways that positively shape their lives and character. “The goal is to help the next generation engage with the Word of God to transform their lives,” he said. The Bible Society of Nigeria, a not-for-profit organisation, is known for translating the Bible into indigenous Nigerian languages and distributing scriptures across the country. Through the annual competition, the organisation hopes to deepen grassroots engagement with the Bible and encourage participating pupils to share the lessons learned with their peers, families and communities.