The council is the first ecumenical and faith-based organization founded in Nigeria in November 1929. It began in the south as a result of an informal meeting of a small group of missionaries from The Presbyterian Church, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Methodist Church, The Nigerian Baptist Convention, and The Salvation Army who met in Ibadan to discuss the line of action concerning the new educational law instituted to separate religion from education. The meeting is described as the first ecumenical attempt of the Churches in Nigeria, and had an impact all over the country as Churches in the South spread to the North and Churches in the North later joined the movement. As a result of the meeting, the government was prevented from enacting the law. This accomplishment reflected the power of joint action and one voice.