Nigeria, a nation boasting over 500 indigenous languages, faces a critical period where many of its linguistic treasures are at risk of being lost, while concerted efforts are being made to preserve them.

The situation is a complex interplay of modernization, globalization, historical factors, and proactive preservation initiatives.

Language Loss: The Challenges 

Several factors contribute to the gradual decline and loss of Nigerian languages:

• Dominance of English: As the official language of Nigeria, English holds significant prestige in education, government, business, and media. This leads to a preference for English, especially among younger generations and in urban centers, often at the expense of indigenous languages. Parents sometimes prioritize English-speaking skills for their children, believing it offers better educational and economic opportunities.

• Influence of Nigerian Pidgin: Nigerian Pidgin English has emerged as a widely spoken lingua franca, particularly in urban areas and among diverse ethnic groups. While it facilitates communication, its increasing use can sometimes displace indigenous languages in daily interactions, especially among youth.

• Urbanization and Migration: As people move from rural areas to cities for economic opportunities, they often adopt more widely spoken languages (English or Pidgin) for social and economic integration. This migration can lead to reduced use and transmission of their native languages within families and communities, accelerating their decline.

• Lack of Intergenerational Transmission: A critical factor in language endangerment is when children no longer learn their mother tongue at home. If parents don't speak the language to their children, its survival becomes severely threatened.

• Limited Documentation and Resources: Many smaller indigenous languages lack comprehensive documentation, dictionaries, textbooks, or other educational materials. This hinders efforts to teach and pass them on to future generations.

• Colonial Legacy: The historical imposition of English during colonial rule contributed to the marginalization of indigenous languages, a legacy that continues to impact language policies and attitudes.

• Attitudinal Problems: Some elites and educated Nigerians exhibit negative attitudes towards their indigenous languages, viewing them as "vernacular" or less sophisticated than English. This can discourage their children from learning or speaking them.

• Insecurity and Displacement: Conflicts, insurgency (like Boko Haram), and banditry in various regions dislodge communities, disrupting social structures and making it difficult to maintain cultural practices, including language transmission.

• Globalization: The global spread of English and Western cultural values through media and technology contributes to the decline of local languages by making foreign content more accessible and appealing.

Language Preservation: The Efforts 

Despite the challenges, numerous efforts are underway to preserve and revitalize Nigerian languages:

• Government Policies (National Language Policy):

  • The Nigerian government has approved a National Language Policy that encourages the use of mother tongues as the primary medium of instruction in primary schools (Primary 1 to 6). This is a significant shift from previous policies and aims to promote local languages, preserve cultures, and support linguistic diversity.

  • The policy also advocates for the teaching of the three major Nigerian languages (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba) as second languages in schools across the country to foster national integration.

• Integration of Technology:

  • Digital Platforms and Apps: Technology is a powerful ally. Digital platforms, mobile apps, and interactive language learning experiences are being developed to make it easier for both young and old to engage with their native tongues.

  • Online Dictionaries and Archives: Efforts are being made to create online talking dictionaries with audio recordings, digital archives, and virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) experiences to bring ancient stories and traditions to life for younger, tech-savvy generations.

  • Social Media: Platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Instagram are being used to promote and teach Nigerian languages. Many online pages and groups are dedicated to teaching proverbs, idioms, and even addressing current issues in indigenous languages.

• Community-Led Initiatives:

  • Cultural Events and Workshops: Communities are organizing cultural events, storytelling sessions, language workshops, and traditional festivals that encourage the active use of their languages and strengthen community bonds.

  • Language Learning Charts: Initiatives like the development of language learning charts for alphabets, numbers, and common words are being created for unofficial learning at home or in communities.

  • "Return to the Cradle and Table": Campaigns encouraging parents to speak their native languages at home with their children are crucial for intergenerational transmission.

• Media and Entertainment:

  • Local Language Broadcasts: Radio and television stations increasingly feature programs in local languages, including news, dramas, and educational content.

  • Nollywood and Music: The Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) and music (Afrobeats) often incorporate indigenous languages, proverbs, and cultural nuances, providing exposure and making the languages accessible and appealing to a wider audience, including the diaspora.

• Academic and Research Efforts:

  • Linguists and researchers are conducting language surveys, documenting endangered languages, and developing linguistic tools. Universities often have departments dedicated to Nigerian languages and linguistics.

  • Crowdfunding campaigns are even being used to fund the documentation and creation of dictionaries for struggling languages and dialects.

• Diaspora Engagement:

  • Nigerians in the diaspora play a crucial role in language retention through initiatives like language schools, cultural events, and media programs in their host countries. They often create online communities to promote their heritage languages among their children.

In conclusion, while Nigerian languages face significant threats from dominant global languages and socio-economic shifts, there's a growing awareness and a surge in proactive efforts – often driven by technology, community passion, and supportive government policies – to ensure their survival and continued vibrancy.