Ruth Elton, a 90-year-old British missionary woman who has lived all her life in Nigeria planting churches and preaching the gospel has died after more than seventy years of active ministry.
Ojueromi Omotayo, one of the pastors working with Elton, confirmed in a statement that she died in her home on Saturday, August, 30 2025, in the town of Ilesha in Osun State, Southwest Nigeria. Elton arrived in Nigeria with her missionary parents Reverend Sydney and Hannah Elton in 1937, when she was four years old.
Elton would have turned 91 years on Sunday, 7 September, 2025. As the only child of the missionary couple, Elton picked up the work her parents started and has mentored most of Nigeria’s notable evangelical preachers and gospel ministers in the south western part of the country, who fondly revered her as the oldest serving missionary in the country.
The nonagenarian missionary spent her entire life ministering in rural communities across Nigeria’s states of Kogi, Ondo, Oyo, and Osun in central and western parts of the country. She was known for communicating fluently in two Nigerian languages of Ebira and Yoruba, while preaching in rural communities. Her focus preaching about the Kingdom of God, repentance and holiness was evident in her life, urging Christians to pursue heavenly treasures as opposed to earthly ones.
A missionary who worked closely with her remembered that Elton pioneered the largest indigenous evangelical church among the Ebira people and, rather than becoming a General Overseer, humbly handed it over to the community.
In addition to preaching engagements, Elton also incorporated health care services while ministering in rural communities contributing to a reduction of infant mortality. Recognizing that many newborn babies died due to poor care and hygiene, she taught women proper hygiene practices, nutritious feeding methods, and effective childcare techniques.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke expressed his sadness over the passing of Elton, noting that the “British-born Nigerian lived a life of service and immense contribution to humanity.”
In a statement shared by his media aide, Governor Adeleke acknowledged Elton’s seven decades of dedication to building faiths and empowering the society. “Ruth dedicated herself to bridging the gaps in gospel and fighting medical emergencies through her grassroot health initiatives,” read part of the statement.
Governor Adeleke noted the dedication of Elton exemplified by her decision to renounce her British citizenship for Nigeria citizenship in 1975 when dual citizenship was not possible, “underscoring not just her faith in the country, but deep love she has for the people and cultures.”
"Her absence will be a heavy burden to us in Osun where she breathed her last on earth but we will be consoled by the legacy of her impact and the everlasting honour that comes with her contributions to the society.”
Governor Adeleke urged the community of faithfuls she left behind to be guided by her life of relentless service to humanity and continue to honour her name by building on her works which revolve around the people.
