Ekikere Nelson Ayodele

Ekikere Nelson Ayodele was born in Akwa-Ibom state, Nigeria, the last of ten children. As a child and youth she was drawn to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of the architecture of its buildings and the friendliness of its members. She joined the church as a teenager after her older sister became a member. She later served a mission, a difficult decision because of her mother’s opposition. Marriage to another Latter-day Saint brought her to Ibadan, Nigeria. She and her husband have one young child.

While being a Latter-day Saint woman can be challenging in Nigeria, Ekikere feels that one rewarding aspect is the strong sense of family that the church promotes. She also feels a strong connection to the plan of salvation. Initially, it was hard for Ekikere to connect to the Book of Mormon, but after dreaming of Jesus handing the Book of Mormon to her, that scripture has become an important part of her faith.

Ekikere recounts that membership in the church has opened up opportunities for her. Serving a mission taught her important social skills, and she has participated in the BYU Pathway program, taking classes online. She also appreciates Relief Society classes that have taught practical skills, like making bread and soap. Her only real regret is not finding the church earlier in her life. If she had, she feels like she would have had more direction educationally and professionally.

Read or listen to Ekikere Ayodele’s full oral history.