The Synodical Conference of North American began mission work in Nigeria in 1936. Dr. Henry Nau (LC-MS) did the preliminary work in the field. Dr. William Schweppe and his wife  Leola (WELS) arrived to lead the mission in 1937. Through their efforts, working with established Ibesikpo churches, the Lutheran Church of Nigeria (LCN) took shape. The LCN grew quickly and by 1962 numbered over 200 congregations and preaching stations, with over 33, 000 baptized souls, eighteen Nigerian pastors, and 18 missionaries and many other workers.

The breakup of the Synodical Conference forced the LCN to make a decision: "Do we partner with the LC-MS (Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod) or with WELS?" After WELS leaders explained our reasons for withdrawing from the Synodical Conference, the LCN decided to remain affiliated with the LC-MS. Today the Lutheran Church Nigeria thrives with 100,000 members and 80 Nigerian pastors.

But a group of ten congregations, three pastors and other church workers, from the Anang tribe - cousins of the Ibesikpo - broke away from the LCN in 1969 for reasons of doctrine and practice. They formed their own church body called Christ the King Lutheran Church of Nigeria (CKLCN). After many contacts and doctrinal discussions with the WELS representatives through the 1970's, WELS declared fellowship with CKLCN in 1981. This allowed an even closer collaboration.

CKLCN opened Christ the King Lutheran Seminary in the late 1980s. WELS Counselor Rev. John Kurth prompted WELS to send two WELS pastors as temporary resident seminary instructors to improve the effort. Classes were taught at a newly-built mission house and seminary building in the village of Uruk Uso, Abak local government area. That first class graduated in 1994.

In 1991 another group of churches stepped away from the LCN over doctrine and practice. They registered as All Saints Lutheran Church of Nigeria (ASLCN). This group is in the Ogoja area, at the north end of Cross River State. ASLCN “went solo” for eight years, thinking their 21 congregations and 5,000 members were alone in the world. Then in 1998 President Rev.Benedict Amu discovered a CKLCN church in Calabar on a Sunday morning, after attending his sister’s wedding. What a surprise to discover a church body in Nigeria that shared the same view of Scripture and doctrine. CKLCN and WELS representatives visited the Ogoja area Lutherans in 1999. It was a joyful meeting of "lost" brothers. Not actually lost, of course, but unknown to one another and separated by nearly 300 miles.

Doctrinal papers were presented and discussed later that year with pastors of our three synods involved. CKLCN and ASLCN marked the start of their fellowship in January of 2000. More WELS field visits took place in 2000 and 2001. WELS officially declared fellowship with All Saints Lutheran Church in August 2001.

After the link-up with ASLCN, its pastors also take their training at Christ the King Lutheran Seminary. Two more classes have graduated, in 2004 and 2008. The teaching duties are split between Nigerian pastors and WELS volunteer pastors who teach short courses.

CKLCN and ASLCN continue as sister synods of WELS, with guidance and minimal financial support from their American partner synod.