Ruth Ometere Elton: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Nigeria’s Oldest Missionary
Nigeria’s oldest missionary, Ruth Ometere Elton, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in Ilesa, Osun State, on Saturday, August 30, 2025. Her death marks the end of an era in Nigeria’s Christian history, yet her legacy remains a shining testimony of faith, service, and sacrifice.
Early Life and Background
Born in Britain, Ruth was the daughter of Pa Sydney Granville Elton, a man who is regarded as one of the foremost pioneers of Pentecostalism in Nigeria. Pa Elton came to Nigeria in 1937 as a missionary with The Apostolic Church and later became instrumental in shaping the spiritual foundation of modern Pentecostalism in the country. He mentored great men of God, including Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa, and was a key figure in introducing the Latter Rain Movement to Nigeria.
Inspired by her father’s devotion, Ruth not only followed in his footsteps but also went a step further — she became a naturalized Nigerian citizen, choosing to fully embrace the land and people she had grown to love.
A Life of Service and Missionary Work
Ruth Elton never married; instead, she committed her entire life to missionary work and humanitarian service. Her ministry took her across different communities such as Egbe, Okene, Koton Karfe, Ondo, Oyo, and Osun, where she lived among the people, learning their languages and customs.
She became fluent in both Ebira and Yoruba, which greatly enhanced her ability to connect with the communities she served. Beyond preaching the gospel, Ruth worked tirelessly to address pressing social and health challenges.
In Okene, for example, she spearheaded campaigns to improve maternal and child health. She taught local women the importance of proper hygiene, nutrition, and child care practices. Through her advocacy, she helped reduce child mortality rates and fought against harmful cultural practices such as force-feeding newborns, which had previously endangered the lives of infants.
Faith and Vision for Nigeria
Like her father, Ruth held a prophetic conviction that Nigeria would one day shine in righteousness and fulfill its divine calling. Her faith in the spiritual destiny of the nation was unshakable, and she encouraged believers to live holy lives and trust in God’s plans for the country.
Fondly called “Mama Ruth”, she was widely respected for her humility, simplicity, and unwavering dedication to the gospel. Her life embodied sacrifice and selflessness, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of missionaries, pastors, and believers.
Legacy
With her passing, Nigeria has lost a great servant of God, but her work remains alive in the lives she touched and the seeds of faith she planted. Just as her father’s ministry helped lay the foundation for Pentecostalism in Nigeria, Ruth’s life stands as a testimony of endurance, love, and unwavering faith in God.
Her story is not only one of Christian service but also of cultural integration, humanitarian impact, and national hope.
