Nigeria, often called the "Giant of Africa," is renowned for its population, economy, and cultural influence. However, it is also a giant in terms of languages. With around 525 recognized languages, Nigeria presents a fascinating study from a linguistic perspective. This linguistic diversity reflects Nigeria's complex colonial history and the assembly of numerous independent ethno-lingual cultures.
Map of Ethnic Groups in Nigeria
The National Question and Language
Nigeria's history as a sovereign independent nation with a colonial past has led to a unique linguistic landscape. This history, originating in 1914 with the colonial amalgamation, marked the assembly of independent ethno-lingual cultures. The national question in Nigeria is firmly rooted in indigenous languages and the "colonial multi-national-lingual amalgams."
This reality was encapsulated in the first National Anthem: "Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand!" This stanza highlights the question of how a nation is formed despite its differences, heralding the consciousness of multi-ethnicity, multi-tribes, and multi-tongues. The existential heartbeat of any people lies in their indigenous languages. If a language is lost, the people's ethnicity and identity also die, leading to a loss of their natural rights of citizenship.
Official Language and Major Languages
The official language of Nigeria is English as a result of former colonial rule. It’s used for education and by the government and is spoken as a second language by some 60 million Nigerians. English has been Nigeria's official language for decades and is the country’s most widely spoken language. Somewhere between 50% and 70% of Nigerians speak English.
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As well as being the language of government and education in Nigeria, English is also used in the entertainment sector (most notably in film and television) and on the internet. Its extensive use means that fluency in English is essential for those who live and work in some areas of Nigeria, yet very few people speak it natively. However, less educated Nigerians in rural areas speak other languages, like Hausa (31%), Kanuri (28%), Fulfulde (11%), Bura (5%), Shuwa Arabic (4%), Marghi (2%), Kare Kare (2%), and Bachuma (2%).
In practice, Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo enjoy semi-official status, especially in education, state administration, and broadcasting.
Here are some of the major languages in Nigeria, aside from English:
- Hausa - 65 million speakers.
- Yoruba - 40 million speakers.
- Igbo - 44 million speakers.
- Fulfulde - 15 million speakers.
- Kanuri - 5 million speakers.
- Tiv - 4 million speakers.
- Ijaw - 3 million speakers.
- Edo - 2 million speakers.
- Annang - 1 million speakers.
- Arabic - 1 million speakers.
- Igala - 1 million speakers.
Nigerians have spread the use of Yoruba around the world, as well as speaking it in Nigeria. Tiv is the largest of the Tivoid group of languages. Also called Bini, Edo is spoken in Edo State. Annang is also called Western Ibibio. The Shuwa Arab community speaks Arabic in Nigeria, while Arabic is also spoken in several towns dotted around the country.
Language Groups in Nigeria
Nigeria’s hundreds of native languages can be sorted into just three language groups: Afroasiatic, Nilo-Saharan and Niger-Congo.
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- Afroasiatic: The most spoken Afroasiatic language in Nigeria is Hausa, but it is far from the only one. The Afroasiatic language family also includes Margi, Bade, Arabic and many other Nigerian languages.
- Nilo-Saharan: The main language in Nigeria from the Nilo-Saharan group is Kanuri.
- Niger-Congo: The Niger-Congo language family is huge and predominates in the Central, East and Southern areas of Nigeria. The main branches represented in Nigeria are Mande, Atlantic, Gur, Kwa, Benue-Congo and Adamawa-Ubangi.
Each ethnic language is valuable in and of itself. It reveals details of a particular culture and way of life. With so many languages under threat of extinction, it’s vital that we do all we can to preserve each and every one. Are you up to the challenge of learning an endangered Nigerian language to help preserve it?
Nigerian Pidgin
Nigeria’s history has also led to the evolution of Nigerian Pidgin, which is an English-based creole. Nigerians sometimes refer to this simply as “Pijin” or “Broken” and its use extends across West Africa.
Pidgin, first used by British and African slavers to facilitate the Atlantic slave trade in the late 17th century, has replaced the native language for many Nigerians.
By the 1900s, the now stable English-based Naijá started spreading across the emerging Nigerian nation. And by the time Nigeria gained her independence from Britain in 1960, the language had not only become popular among those who could not speak standard British English but became commonly spoken among the multilingual populations of the big cities. Though the language is still often stereotypically described as ‘Pidgin English’ or ‘Broken English, it is accepted by most people as a very useful language for public enlightenment campaigns, radio and television programs, inter-ethnic communication, commercial advertizing, sitcoms, stand-up comedies, popular music, religious music and for conducting common everyday business transactions in many parts of the country.
Naijá is open to a lot of influences from English and local Nigerian languages, especially from Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and the Edoid group of languages spoken in the Niger Delta. While much of the vocabulary of Naijá is derived from English its major lexifier, the rest of the vocabulary come from its other contributory languages such as Edo, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, as well as a significant contribution from Portuguese.
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What are Creoles and Pidgins? And What`s the Difference?
Regional Distribution of Languages
The North (Kano, Kaduna, Borno) is where Hausa dominates, along with Fulfulde and Kanuri. We can see, for example, that both Hausa and Kanuri are important Nigerian languages in the northeast of country, where they are spoken by 31% and 28% of household respectively. Fulfulde is spoken by 11% of households there, Bura by 4% and Shuwa Arabic by 4%.
The North Central region of Nigeria, running along the Niger and Benue rivers, is home to a wide range of languages. Southeastern/southern Nigeria is home to a grouping of nine densely populated states that are collectively known as the Niger Delta. A whole host of languages are spoken in this region.
Igbo dominates, while there are also sizeable groups of Izon, Edo, Igala, Ibibio, Bjagham, Tiv, Bokyi and Samba language speakers. Southwest Nigeria is predominantly home to Yoruba speakers.
Language and Identity
For Nigerians, language is deeply tied to identity. At the same time, English and Pidgin provide tools for national and global communication. In schools, English is the primary language of instruction. However, the government has policies encouraging the use of local languages in early education.
In media, local languages thrive. Hausa radio dramas, Yoruba Nollywood films, and Igbo music videos all enjoy massive popularity.
Challenges and Preservation
The question of what are the languages of Nigeria also points us toward those at risk of disappearing. These languages hold unique cultural knowledge, from farming techniques to folklore.
Nigeria's linguistic diversity is a microcosm of much of Africa as a whole, and the country contains languages from the three major African language families: Afroasiatic, Nilo-Saharan and Niger-Congo.
Despite its status, English is not widely spoken in rural areas. Many Nigerians struggle with English, evidenced by the 60 percent fail rate of the WASSCE in English (May/June 2015), an important exam certificate. Nevertheless, many Nigerians hold negative social attitudes towards the country's native languages, combining to lead to the neglect of Nigeria's many native languages.
It is vital that we do all we can to preserve each and every one. Are you up to the challenge of learning an endangered Nigerian language to help preserve it?
The languages of Nigeria represent one of the greatest linguistic treasures in the world. The real story of Nigerian language is one of resilience, creativity, and diversity.
French is compulsory in all schools.
| Language Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Afroasiatic | Hausa, Margi, Bade, Arabic |
| Nilo-Saharan | Kanuri |
| Niger-Congo | Yoruba, Igbo, Ibibio, Edo, Tiv |
