Our

Core Values


Cultural Respect:

Honoring the traditions and cultures of language communities.

Collaboration:

Working together with communities, researchers, and organizations.

Sustainability:

Ensuring long-term impact through sustainable practices.

Innovation:

Utilizing cutting-edge technologies and methodologies in language documentation.

Transparency and Accountability:

We ensure honesty and openness in all actions, responsibly managing resources and remaining answerable to our communities, partners, and donors.

Our Vision

To be a leading catalyst in holistic development, offering hope to local communities across Africa through the message of the kingdom, where language is not a barrier to development and transformation.

Our Mission

To give language communities hope through holistic transformation; where their spiritual, physical, financial, emotional, educational, and mental wellbeing are catered for, where the language of the community become a symbol of unity through which the love of God is being heard and shared leading to their overall growth and development.

Our Projects

Ekiti Central is a major dialect within the Yoruba language cluster, spoken primarily in Ekiti State, southwestern Nigeria. CDIAL International is closely working with this language community to translate Bible into their dialect. Currently, they have completed the draft of their New Testament. The project is in need of resources to start various stages of checking to enable the communities start enjoying God’s word in their dialect. No amount is too small, will you ask God how he will have you support this project?

Oporomo Translators
The Oporomo language is a vital means of communication for several communities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. As part of the Ijoid language family, Oporomo holds deep cultural significance for its speaker. Several portions of the New Testament have been drafted in the language. You can assist this project by donating funds, any amount you donate goes straight to the language communities for the purpose of which it was sent. Pray, give and support this project.

Opuama Translators
The Opuama language group is spoken by communities along the riverine areas of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. It is a valuable part of the Ijoid language family. Though often overlooked in written development, Opuama remains the heartbeat of identity and communication for its people. CDIAL International started working with this language group since November, 2024. Currently, portions of the New Testament are available in the language. You can donate funds to support this project.

Lala-Shiiri Translators
Lala-Shiiri language is spoken by approximately 125,741 people in Shelleng local government area of Adamawa state, Nigeria the northern part of the country. CDIAL International is working with this language group to translate the New Testament in the language. The language group has not only drafted portions of the New Testament they have also completed the draft of the Gospel Hymn in the language. Plans are on the way to have it published before December. You can donate to support this project.

Lemil Translators
Lemil language group is spoken by 8,000 people in Sardauna local government, Taraba State, northern part of Nigeria. CDIAL International started working with Lemil language since February, 2025 to provide the word of God in the language. Currently, several drafted portions of the New Testament are available in the language. Pray for Lemil project and donate to support the project.

Nyo Translators
Nyo is also part of the Mambilla clusters of languages, spoken by about 8,000 people in Sardauna local government area, Taraba state, the northeast part of Nigeria. CDIAL International trained Nyo language group in August to begin their New Testament translation. Portions of the New Testament have been drafted. Donate to support Nyo project.

Akoko-Edo Translators
Akoko-Edo is spoken by millions of people in Ondo and Edo state, Nigeria, the western part of the country. In August, 2025 CDIAL International provided training for this language group to begin the translation of the New Testament in their language. Currently, several portions of the New Testament have been drafted. Pray along with us and donate to support this project.

Ijebu Translators
Ijebu is a Yoruba language clusters, spoken in Lagos and Ogun by over million people. CDIAL International trained this dialect group in May, 2025 to start the translation of New Testament in their dialect. Currently, few drafts of the New Testament are available in Ijebu dialect. Support this project today by donating any amount.

Ijesha Translators
Ijesha is spoken by millions of people, it is part of the Yoruba cluster of languages. It is spoken primarily in Osun State, Nigeria. CDIAL International is working with this dialect group to make God’s word available in the language. Drafted portions of the New Testament is already available in the language. Donate funds to support Ijesha Bible translation project.

Omuo-Ore Translators
Omuo-Ore is a dialect group of Yoruba spoken by over one million people in Ekiti state, Nigeria. CDIAL International trained Omuo-Ore language team in August to begin New Testament translation. Several portions of the New Testament have been drafted. Pray along and donate to support Omuo-Ore Bible translation project.

Igbomina Translators
Igbomina language project is also a subgroup of Yoruba language spoken by about 2.3 million people in Osun and Kwara States, Nigeria the southwestern part of the country. The language group is committed to having the word of God in their dialect. CDIAL International have provided training and equipments to the translators; several draft portions of the New Testament are currently available in this dialect. You can donate funds to assist this project.

Jole Translators
Jole also known as Zhã is an endangered language in Lau local government area of Taraba State, the northeastern part of Nigeria. We started working with Jole language group in May, 2025. They have drafted portions of the New Testament in the language, though proper language survey has not been conducted in the language, but plans have been made by CDIAL International to do a proper language survey before December to enable us acquire ethnologue code for the language. You can pray along with us and donate funds to support this project.

Ndeng Translators
Ndeng language is also spoken in Sardauna Local government area of Taraba State, northeastern part of Nigeria. The language is spoken by 5,000 thousand people. CDIAL International is partnering with this language group to make God’s word available in the language. The drafting of the New Testament is currently ongoing, several portions of the New Testament have been drafted already. Pray and support the Ndeng project.

Dukta Community
Dukta language group also known as Zambo is spoken in Shelleng local government area of Adamawa state, Nigeria. CDIAL International team conducted sociolinguistics survey in the language area in August, 2025. Pray and donate to support Dukta language project.

Our Latest Update

Know what we have done and where we have visited

Pray along with us on the following projects, whose workshops are scheduled for 14 May 2025. They will be trained on the use of Paratext and the Translation principle. These are the following language projects:

1. Ijesha Bible Translation Project.
2. Igbomina Bible Translation Project.
3. Ndeng Bible Translation Project.

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Programs

What we offer

Bible Translation

We translate Bible scriptures into Indigenous languages across African communities.

Language Research and Development

We conduct field research, collect data, and document Indigenous languages.

Literacy and Education

We create educational materials and resources in Indigenous languages. We organize language classes and literacy programs in local communities.

Scripture Engagement

We ensure the local languages use the translated scriptures in Bible studies or any spiritual growth activities.

Faith and Farming

We help farmers relate their faith with their farming work.

Community Development

We collaborate with local communities, leaders, and organizations to develop projects that meet the needs of the local communities.

Trauma Healing

We support individuals and communities affected by conflict, displacement, disasters, or violence. We integrate storytelling, counseling, faith, community support, and practical care to help individuals process painful memories, regain a sense of safety, and rebuild trust. We emphasize resilience, forgiveness, hope, and tolerance, empowering survivors to move forward and live healthy, meaningful lives.

Humanitarian Aid

We ensure honesty and openness in all actions, responsibly managing resources and remaining answerable to our communities, partners, and donors.

Capacity Building

We provide scholarships to Indigenous speakers who declare interest to study their local languages. We train educators to teach and promote native languages

You can also make an impact today!

Join the Christian Development Initiative for African Languages to empower local language communities, giving each community hope and a chance to grow to full potential. Each language matters and each culture deserves another opportunity to grow.

Join us today

BOARD MEMBERS

TRUSTEES & STAFF

TRUSTEES

Yafadkaniu Ishaku

President/CEO

His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus H. Dading.

Bishop LCCN Abuja Diocese Chairman

Jerry chelion

Secretary

Prof. Benjamin Burmamu

Member


STAFF

Istifanus I. Gambo

Executive Director

Dan Joshua

Language Program Manager

Amos U. Tenterbiu

Director of Partnership

Henry Bello

Finance Manager

Idiaka Sunday Adeniyi

South West Regional Coordinator

Enoch Paul

Director of Literacy and Education