The number of Nigerian millennial Christian millennials who believe and are actively involved in premarital sex has increased from 16 percent in 2016 to 20 percent in 2019, a new report has revealed.

The report also revealed that 20 percent of youths struggle with sexual addiction, while 15% struggle with porn, two percent said they struggle with homosexuality and one percent struggle with masturbation.

The figures were part of the research findings contained in a new report titled “The Alder Church Report” released by a Lagos based creative intelligence firm, Alder Consulting.

It is widely believed that premarital sex is highly prohibited among Christians, which according to the Christians’ Bible is a sin against God as many Churches preach against the practice.

The Principal at Alder Consulting, Leke Alder said the report measures the perception of the Church in Nigeria, and its impact on society and national development. It also provides information about socio-cultural shifts that affect the Church.

In the 99-page report which sampled the opinion of 4,634 respondents, 86 percent of the respondents said they would like the Church to be more responsive to issues of sex, 85 percent want domestic violence addressed. 84 percent want the church to be more responsive to drug abuse, depression and unemployment while 83 percent are of the opinion that rape and sexual issues.

The results of the report, according to Alder Consulting, further highlight the need for professional counseling and therapy structures in the Church.

Speaking on the report on Twitter, Alder recommended that the mindset shift in sex and sexuality among millennial churchgoers is something the church should pay attention to.

One of the contributors to the report, Praise Fowowe in his article published in the report, also recommended the need for the church to assign mentors and therapists who can be trusted by millennials seeking help to overcome their struggles.

The report also revealed that more youths consume Christian content in digital format in the North-West than in any other region of Nigeria.

Alder said one thing that may account for this is that there is a desire for sound teachings in that region.

Speaking further on the report via his Twitter handle, he said

“We think understanding the concerns and interests of church members (especially millennials), can give insight into what the larger society thinks.

“For the church to continue to impact society and be relevant in future, it must be cognizant of cultural trends. This was one of the reasons why we created the #AlderChurchReport. To present to the church, the issues that are important to Nigerians. Thank you.”