Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Ruth Elton, Nigeria’s oldest known missionary, who passed away at the age of 91 in Ilesa, Osun State.
In a statement released on Sunday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke described Elton’s passing as a great loss to Osun State, the Christian community, and Nigeria as a whole.
“I am devastated by the news of the passing of Ruth Elton, the woman widely acknowledged as the oldest missionary to Nigeria,” Adeleke said.
Ruth Elton, daughter of Sydney Granville Elton, was a respected Christian missionary and healthcare advocate who arrived in Nigeria in 1937 as a young girl alongside her father. Her father, an English missionary, was one of the pioneers of the Pentecostal revival movement in Nigeria, particularly known for his evangelism in the South-Western part of the country.
Following in her father’s footsteps, Ruth Elton dedicated her life to spreading the gospel, serving in rural communities, and providing grassroots medical care across several states in Nigeria, with a focus on the South-West.
Adeleke praised her decades of missionary work, saying her influence went far beyond church ministry.
“Since 1937 when she arrived Nigeria with her father, Ruth Elton served the Nigerian people with unwavering dedication. She contributed not just to the spread of the gospel, but also worked to address health challenges in rural communities,” the governor said.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable parts of Ruth Elton’s story is her decision to renounce her British citizenship in favour of becoming a Nigerian citizen—a move Adeleke described as a strong symbol of love, commitment, and identity.
“Her renunciation of British citizenship and adoption of Nigeria as her home was a powerful expression of faith and love for the people and cultures of this country. She truly became one of us,” he said.
Elton remained in Nigeria long after her father passed away and continued her mission work quietly but impactfully. She was known to speak fluent Yoruba and was deeply respected by both Christian leaders and locals in the areas where she lived and worked.
Until her passing, she resided in Ilesa, Osun State, where she had become a beloved figure in the Christian community and among health and humanitarian workers.
Governor Adeleke said Osun State was proud to have been her home and final resting place.
“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 impacts and the everlasting honour that comes with her contributions to society.”
He added that Ruth Elton’s legacy of faith, compassion, and service should inspire all Nigerians, especially the younger generation, to embrace lives of purpose and selflessness.
“We are reminded once again of the power of service to humanity. Ruth Elton lived for others. Her memory will forever be a guide to those who seek to make the world a better place.”
Governor Adeleke prayed for the repose of her soul and called on the Christian community and others whose lives she touched to keep her legacy alive.
“We must not let her life’s work fade. I call on the Christian community and all those who knew her to keep her dreams alive by continuing her mission of compassion and service.”
Ruth Elton’s life is seen by many as a shining example of missionary dedication, rooted not only in preaching but in living among the people, speaking their language, and addressing their most urgent needs.
Though she lived a quiet life away from the spotlight, Elton’s work impacted countless Nigerians, particularly in the areas of evangelism, medical outreach, women’s empowerment, and youth development.
Her passing has already sparked tributes from religious leaders and humanitarian workers across Nigeria. Many have called for her work and memory to be formally recognised, including suggestions to name health or missionary institutions in her honour.
While burial arrangements are yet to be officially announced, her death marks the end of a significant chapter in Nigeria’s religious and humanitarian history.
For over eight decades, Ruth Elton gave her life to a land that became her home, and to a people she called family. From the days of colonial rule to Nigeria’s modern era, she remained a steady figure of hope, service, and love.
As Nigeria mourns her, the legacy of Ruth Elton remains — one of humility, compassion, and an unbreakable commitment to humanity.
