Renowned British-born Nigerian missionary, Ruth Elton, widely regarded as the oldest serving missionary in Nigeria, has died at the age of 91.

Elton passed away on Saturday at the Sharon compound in Alafia Bamin Quarters, Ilesa, Osun State. Her remains have since been deposited in the mortuary.

Born on September 7, 1933, Ruth Elton was the only daughter of Sydney Granville Elton, popularly known as Pa Elton, a pioneer of Pentecostal Christianity in Nigeria. She arrived in the country with her parents in 1937 and spent her entire life serving in communities across Kogi, Ondo, Oyo, and Osun States.

Elton later renounced her British citizenship in the 1970s, formally nationalising as a Nigerian.

She was fluent in Ebira and Yoruba.

Elton is widely credited for reducing infant mortality in Okene, Kogi State, through grassroots health initiatives.

She died unmarried.