Opportunities and Challenges of Shia in West Africa Emphasizing Nigeria

West Africa can be called one of the most significant Muslim population centers.The West African region comprises 15 countries. Islam is the religion of the majority of Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea-Conakry, Liberia, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.Of course, a significant number of Shiites live in the West African region. The entrance of the Shi’a to the Islamic propagation scene in West Africa was systematically and seriously after the Islamic Revolution of Iran, and despite the very long presence of Lebanese Shiites throughout West Africa, Shiite propagation was not serious; Even in some countries Lebanese Prefer not to be known as Shiites. The realization of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and its official presence in West Africa’s propagation, made the daring of some Shiites living in the region and little by little the Shia propagation became an independent movement.However, Shiite positions in these countries face threats and challenges. One of the most important of these problems is the Shiite Identity challenge.  Shi’a cultural institutions, especially the institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran,  which give their mission to all Shiites!  have to take a serious step towards the identification of Shiites in West Africa. In fact, in this article, we consider one of the main ways to promote the status of Shiites  is to bring Shiites to Independent Identity.