View source for Languages of Nigeria

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{languages of
|country=Nigeria
|image= Nigeria Benin Cameroon languages.png
|caption=A map of languages in Nigeria and neighboring countries
|official=[[English language|English]]
|vernacular=[[Nigerian Pidgin]]
|national=[[Hausa language|Hausa]], [[Igbo language|Igbo]], [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]]
|regional= [[Ibibio language|Ibibio]], [[Efik language|Efik]], [[Isoko language|Isoko]], [[Edo language|Edo]], [[Tiv language|Tiv]], [[Gade language|Gade]], [[Nigerian Fulfulde|Fulani]], [[Idoma language|Idoma]], [[Ijaw languages|Ijaw]], [[Kamwe language|Kamwe]], [[Kanuri language|Kanuri]], [[Ukwuani-Aboh-Ndoni language|Ukwuani]], Ika [[Urhobo language|Urhobo]], [[Nupe language|Nupe]], [[Gbagyi language|Gbagyi]], [[Igala language|Igala]] 
|sign={{ubl|[[Nigerian Sign Language]]|[[Hausa Sign Language]]|[[Bura Sign Language]]}}
|foreign=[[Arabic]], [[French language|French]]
 |keyboard       = [[QWERTY]]
 |keyboard image =[[File:KB United States.svg|200px]]  }}
{{Culture of Nigeria}}
There are over 520 native languages spoken in [[Nigeria]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Language data for Nigeria |url=https://translatorswithoutborders.org/language-data-nigeria/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Translators without Borders |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/country/NG|title=Nigeria|work=Ethnologue|access-date=2017-07-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=An Atlas Of Nigerian Languages|last=Blench|first=Roger|publisher=Kay Williamson Educational Foundation|year=2014|location=Oxford}}</ref> The [[official language]] is English,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Language data for Nigeria |url=https://translatorswithoutborders.org/language-data-nigeria/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Translators without Borders |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Nigeria: languages by number of speakers 2021 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1285383/population-in-nigeria-by-languages-spoken/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Statista |language=en}}</ref> which was the language of [[Colonial Nigeria]]. The English-based [[Creole language|creole]] ''[[Nigerian Pidgin]]'' – first used by the British and [[Slavery in Africa|African slavers]] to facilitate the [[Atlantic slave trade]] in the late 17th century<ref name=slave>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40975399|title=BBC starts Pidgin digital service for West Africa audiences|date=21 August 2017|work=[[BBC News]]|accessdate=16 February 2018}}</ref> – is the most common [[lingua franca]], spoken by over 60 million people.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Africa: Nigeria">{{cite web|work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/|access-date=2020-06-21|title=Africa: Nigeria}}</ref>

The most commonly spoken native languages are [[Hausa language|Hausa]] (over 63 million when including second-language, or L2, speakers), [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]] (over 47 million, including L2 speakers), [[Igbo language|Igbo]] (over 31 million, including L2 speakers), [[Ibibio language|Ibibio]] (over 10 million, including L2 speakers), [[Izon languages|Ijaw]] cluster (over 5 million), [[Nigerian Fulfulde|Fulfulde]] (18 million),  [[Kanuri language|Kanuri]] (7.6 million), [[Tiv language|Tiv]] (5 million), and approximately 2 to 3 million each of [[Nupe language|Nupe]], [[Karai-Karai (language)|Karai-Karai]] [[Kupa language|Kupa]], [[Kakanda language|Kakanda]], [[Edo language|Edo]], [[Igala language|Igala]], [[Mafa language|Mafa]], [[Idoma language|Idoma]] and [[Efik language|Efik]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/languages/nigeria/|title=Nigeria|website=worldpopulationreview.com|access-date=2020-05-30}}</ref> Nigeria's linguistic diversity is a [[Microcosm–macrocosm analogy|microcosm]] of much of [[Africa]] as a whole, and the country contains languages from the three major [[Languages of Africa|African language families]]: [[Afroasiatic]], [[Nilo-Saharan]] and [[Niger-Congo]]. Nigeria also has several as-yet [[List of unclassified languages according to the Ethnologue#Africa|unclassified languages]], such as [[Centúúm]], which may represent a relic of an even greater diversity before the spread of the current language families.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Languages of Nigeria - Regions|url=https://naijasky.com/regions/1/languages-of-nigeria/40489/|last=Adeleke|first=Dr Wale|website=NaijaSky|language=en|access-date=2020-05-27}}</ref>

== English and Pidgin ==
[[English language|English]] is the single most widely spoken language in Nigeria, spoken by 60 million of the population.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nigeria: languages by number of speakers 2021 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1285383/population-in-nigeria-by-languages-spoken/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Statista |language=en}}</ref> It is the main lingua franca of the country and there are a growing number of sole English speakers due to rapid [[urbanization]] and [[globalization]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Obiukwu |first=Onyedimmakachukwu |title=Nigeria has a massive, largely overlooked, language crisis |url=https://venturesafrica.com/features/nigeria-has-a-massive-largely-overlooked-language-crisis/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Ventures Africa |language=en-US}}</ref> English remains the official language and is the major language of communication in government, business and education.<ref name=":1" /> Furthermore, the national anthem, constitution and pledge are written in English. Almost all mass media transmit information in English.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Osoba |first1=Joseph Babasola |last2=Alebiosu |first2=Tajudeen Afolabi |date=2016 |title=Language Preference as a Precursor to Displacement and Extinction in Nigeria: The Roles of English Language and Nigerian Pidgin |url=http://www.sejongjul.org/archive/view_article?pid=jul-17-2-111 |journal=Journal of Universal Language |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=111–143 |doi=10.22425/jul.2016.17.2.111 |issn=2508-5344|doi-access=free }}</ref> English became the official language when Nigeria was created from diverse national groups by the [[British Empire]].<ref name=":2" /> Despite decolonization, Nigeria chose to make English the official language to promote national cultural unity<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ali |first=Salaudeen |title=Effect of choosing common lingua franca in Nigeria by Salaudeen Ali |url=https://www.academia.edu/7620054}}</ref> and so not to favour any particular native language.<ref name=":2" />

Despite its status, English is not widely spoken in rural areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Language data for Nigeria |url=https://translatorswithoutborders.org/language-data-nigeria/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Translators without Borders |language=en-US}}</ref> Many Nigerians struggle with English, evidenced by the 60 percent fail rate of the [[West African Senior School Certificate Examination|WASSCE]] in English (May/June 2015), an important exam certificate.<ref name=":1" /> 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. As such, there are fears from prominent linguists that Nigerian native languages are [[Endangered language|endangered]] and face eventual extinction.<ref name=":2" />

Pidgin, first used by British and [[Slavery in Africa|African slavers]] to facilitate the [[Atlantic slave trade]] in the late 17th century,<ref name=slave /> has replaced the native language for many Nigerians. Many Nigerians speak [[Nigerian Pidgin]], a [[creole language]] based on English, which is a popular social and cultural language.<ref name=":2" /> It has become popular in the mass media and in political slogans.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Osoba |first=Joseph Babasola |date=2014-03-26 |title=The Use of Nigerian Pidgin in Media Adverts |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijel.v4n2p26 |journal=International Journal of English Linguistics |volume=4 |issue=2 |doi=10.5539/ijel.v4n2p26 |issn=1923-8703|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Osoba |first=Joseph Babasola |date=2014-03-31 |title=The Use of Nigerian Pidgin in Political Jingles |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.22425/jul.2014.15.1.105 |journal=Journal of Universal Language |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=105–127 |doi=10.22425/jul.2014.15.1.105 |issn=1598-6381|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=":2" /> According to a 2012 study, the replacement of native local languages with Pidgin is inevitable in the areas studied.<ref>Douglas, B. 2012. The Status of Nigerian Pidgin and Other Indigenous Languages in Bayelsa State Tertiary Institutions. Unpublished M.A. Thesis, Obafemi Awolowo University. In: {{Cite journal |last1=Osoba |first1=Joseph Babasola |last2=Alebiosu |first2=Tajudeen Afolabi |date=2016 |title=Language Preference as a Precursor to Displacement and Extinction in Nigeria: The Roles of English Language and Nigerian Pidgin |url=http://www.sejongjul.org/archive/view_article?pid=jul-17-2-111 |journal=Journal of Universal Language |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=111–143 |doi=10.22425/jul.2016.17.2.111 |issn=2508-5344|doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Afroasiatic languages ==
[[Image:Afro asiatic peoples nigeria.png|thumb|450px|A map showing [[Afroasiatic]] speaking peoples in Nigeria|left]]
The [[Afroasiatic language]]s of Nigeria are divided into Chadic, Semitic and Berber.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Afro-Asiatic languages {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Afro-Asiatic-languages |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> Among these categories, [[Chadic]] languages predominate, with more than 700 languages. Semitic is represented by various dialects of [[Arabic]] spoken in the Northeast and Berber by the Tuareg-speaking communities in the extreme Northwest.

The [[Hausa language]] is the best known [[Chadic]] language in Nigeria; though there is a paucity of statistics on native speakers in Nigeria, the language is spoken by 24 million people in West Africa and is the second language of 15 million more. Hausa has therefore emerged as ''[[lingua franca]]'' throughout much of West Africa, and the Sahel in particular. The language is spoken primarily amongst Northern Nigerians and is often associated with Islamic culture in Nigeria and West Africa on the whole.

Hausa is classified as a [[West Chadic languages|West Chadic language]] of the [[Chadic languages|Chadic]] grouping, a major subfamily of Afroasiatic. Culturally, the [[Hausa people]] became closely integrated with the Fulani following the establishment of the [[Sokoto Caliphate]] by the Fulani [[Uthman dan Fodio]] in the 19th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria |url=https://foreignaffairs.gov.ng/nigeria/nigeria-history/ |access-date=2022-11-23 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Aderibigbe |first=Victor |title=A CRITIQUE OF THE SOKOTO JIHAD IN HAUSALAND IN THE OPENING DECADE OF THE 19TH CENTURY |url=https://www.academia.edu/28395758}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chafe |first=Kabiru Sulaiman |date=1994 |title=Challenges to the Hegemony of the Sokoto Caliphate: A Preliminary Examination |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40341678 |journal=Paideuma |volume=40 |pages=99–109 |jstor=40341678 |issn=0078-7809}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ochonu |first=Moses |date=2015 |title=Caliphate Expansion and Sociopolitical Change in Nineteenth-Century Lower Benue Hinterlands |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.14321/jwestafrihist.1.1.0133 |journal=Journal of West African History |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=133–178 |doi=10.14321/jwestafrihist.1.1.0133 |jstor=10.14321/jwestafrihist.1.1.0133 |s2cid=128410954 |issn=2327-1868|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Hausa is the [[official language]] of several states in Northern Nigeria and the most important dialect is generally regarded as that spoken in [[Kano (city)|Kano]], an Eastern Hausa dialect, which is the standard variety used for official purposes.

Eastern dialects also include some dialects spoken in [[Zaria]] and [[Bauchi]]; Western Hausa dialects include Sakkwatanchi spoken in [[Sokoto State|Sokoto]], Katsinanchi in Katsina Arewanchi in both [[Gobir]] and [[Adar]], [[Kebbi State|Kebbi]] and [[Zamfara]]. [[Katsina]] is transitional between Eastern and Western dialects. Northern Hausa dialects include [[Arewa]] and [[Arawa language|Arawa]], whilst [[Zaria]] is a prominent Southern version; [[Barikanchi]] is a [[pidgin]] formerly used in the military.

[[Hausa language|Hausa]] is a very atypical [[Chadic]] language, with a reduced tonal system and a phonology influenced by [[Arabic]]. Other well-known Chadic languages include Mupun, Ngas, Goemai, Mwaghavul, [[Bole language|Bole]], [[Ngizim language|Ngizim]], [[Bade language|Bade]] and Bachama. In the East of Nigeria and on into Cameroon are the Central Chadic languages such as [[Bura language|Bura]], [[Kamwe language|Kamwe]] and [[Marghi language|Margi]]. These are highly diverse and remain very poorly described. Many Chadic languages are severely threatened; recent searches by Bernard Caron for Southern Bauchi languages show that even some of those recorded in the 1970s have disappeared. However unknown Chadic languages are still being reported, such as the recent description of Dyarim.

Hausa, as well as other Afroasiatic languages such as, Kamwe,<ref>Kwache, I.Y (2016) Kamwe People of Northern Nigeria: Origin, History and Culture. Prudent Universal Press and Publishing Company Ltd, Kaduna Nigeria.</ref> [[Margi language|Margi]], [[Karai-Karai (language)|Karai-Karai]] and [[Bade language|Bade]] (another West Chadic language spoken in [[North East (Nigeria)|northeastern Nigeria]]), have historically been written in a modified [[Arabic script]] known as ''[[Ajami script|ajami]]''.  However, the modern official orthography is now a romanization known as ''boko'' introduced by the British regime in the 1930s.

==Niger–Congo languages==
[[File:Niger-Congo speakers.png|thumb|right|Systematic graphic of the Niger–Congo languages with numbers of speakers]]
[[Niger–Congo]] predominates in the Central, East and Southern areas of Nigeria; the main branches represented in Nigeria are [[Mande languages|Mande]], [[Atlantic languages|Atlantic]], [[Gur languages|Gur]], [[Kwa languages|Kwa]], [[Benue–Congo]] and [[Adamawa–Ubangi]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Niger-Congo languages « Sorosoro|url=http://www.sorosoro.org/en/niger-congo-languages/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-30}}</ref> Mande is represented by the [[Busa language (Mande)|Busa]] cluster and [[Kyenga language|Kyenga]] in the northwest. [[Fulfulde]] is the single Atlantic language, of [[Senegambia]]n origin but now spoken by cattle [[pastoralists]] across the [[Sahel]] and largely in the northeastern states of Nigeria, especially [[Adamawa State|Adamawa]].

The [[Ijoid languages]] are spoken across the [[Niger Delta]] region and include [[Ijoid languages|Ịjọ]] (Ijaw), Kalabari, and the intriguing remnant language [[Defaka language|Defaka]]. The [[Ibibio language]] is spoken across the coastal southeastern part of Nigeria and includes the dialects [[Oron language|Oron]], [[Annang language|Annang]], and [[Efik language|Efik]] proper. The single [[Gur language]] spoken is Baatọnun, in the extreme Northwest.

The Adamawa–Ubangian languages are spoken across a region spanning central Nigeria to the Central African Republic. In Nigeria, the westernmost languages of this group are the Tula-Waja languages. The Kwa languages are represented by the Gun group in the far southwest, which is related to the Gbe languages spoken in Benin and Togo.

The classification of the remaining languages is controversial; [[Joseph Greenberg]] classified those without noun-classes, such as Yoruba, Igbo, and Ibibio (Efik, Oron, and Annang), as 'Eastern [[Volta–Niger languages|Kwa]]' and those with classes as '[[Benue–Congo]]'. This was reversed in an influential 1989 publication and reflected on the 1992 map of languages, where all these were considered [[Benue–Congo]]. Recent opinion, however, has been to revert to Greenberg's distinction. The literature must thus be read with care and due regard for the date. There are several small language groupings in the Niger Confluence area, notably Ukaan, Akpes, Ayere-Ahan and Ọkọ, whose inclusion in these groupings has never been satisfactorily argued.

Former Eastern [[Volta–Niger languages|Kwa]], i.e. West [[Benue–Congo]] would then include [[Igboid languages|Igboid]], i.e. [[Igbo language]] proper, [[Ukwuani]], [[Ikwerre language|Ikwerre]], [[Ekpeye]] etc., Yoruboid, i.e. [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]], [[Itsekiri]] and [[Igala language|Igala]], [[Akokoid languages|Akokoid]] (eight small languages in Ondo, Edo and Kogi state), [[Edoid]] including [[Edo language|Edo]] (sometimes referred to as) Bini in [[Edo State]], [[Ibibio language|Ibibio-Efik]], [[Idomoid languages|Idomoid]] ([[Idoma language|Idoma]]) and [[Nupoid languages|Nupoid]] ([[Nupe language|Nupe]]) and perhaps include the other languages mentioned above. The [[Idoma language]] is classified in the Akweya subgroup of the Idomoid languages of the Volta–Niger family, which include Alago, Agatu, Etulo and Yala languages of Benue, Nasarawa and Northern Cross River states.

East [[Benue–Congo]] includes [[Kainji languages|Kainji]], [[Plateau languages|Plateau]] (46 languages, notably [[Gamai language]]), [[Jukunoid]], [[Dakoid]] and some parts of [[Cross River languages|Cross River]]. Apart from these, there are numerous [[Bantoid languages]], which are the languages immediately ancestral to Bantu. These include [[Mambiloid]], [[Ekoid]] of [[Cross River State]], [[Bendi languages|Bendi]], [[Beboid]], [[Grassfields Bantu languages|Grassfields]] and [[Tivoid languages]].

Within the Benue-Congo languages, the expansive Bantu language family which covers much of central and southern Africa is represented in Nigeria by; [[Jarawa language (Nigeria)|Jarawa]] with around a quarter million speakers, making it the most spoken Bantu language in the country. Others include [[Mbula-Bwazza]] (100,000), [[Kulung language (Jarawan)|Kulung]] (40,000), [[Labir language|Labir]] (13,000), [[Bile language|Bile]] and a few others.
[[File:Indomie Igbo Advert, Abia.JPG|thumb|An advert in [[Igbo language|Igbo]] in [[Abia State]]]]

The geographic distribution of Nigeria's Niger-Congo languages is not limited to the middle east and south-central Nigeria, as migration allows their spread to the linguistically Afro-Asiatic northern regions of Nigeria, as well as throughout [[West Africa]] and abroad. Igbo words such as 'unu' for 'you people', 'sooso' for 'only', 'obia' for 'native doctoring', etc. are used in patois of Jamaica and many Central American nations, Yoruba is spoken as a ritual language in cults such as the Santeria in the Caribbean and South-Central America, and the Berbice Dutch language in Surinam is based on an Ijoid language.

Even the above listed linguistic diversity of the Niger–Congo in Nigeria is deceptively limiting, as these languages may further consist of regional dialects that may not be mutually intelligible. As such some languages, particularly those with a large number of speakers, have been standardized and received a [[romanization|romanized orthography]]. Nearly all languages appear in a Latin alphabet when written.

The Ibibio, Igbo, and Yoruba languages are notable examples of this process. The more historically recent standardization and romanization of Igbo have provoked even more controversy due to its dialectical diversity, but the Central Igbo dialect has gained the widest acceptance as the standard-bearer. Many such as [[Chinua Achebe]] have dismissed standardization as colonial and conservative attempts to simplify a complex mosaic of languages.

Such controversies typify inter- and intra-ethnic conflict endemic to post-colonial Nigeria. Also worthy of note is the Enuani dialect, a variation of the Igbo that is spoken among parts of Anioma. The Anioma are the Aniocha, Ndokwa/Ukwuani, Ika and Oshimilli of Delta state.
[[Standard Yoruba]] came into being due to the work of [[Samuel Ajayi Crowther|Samuel Crowther]], the first African bishop of the [[Anglican Church]] and owes most of its lexicon to the dialects spoken in [[Oyo State|Ọyọ]] and [[Ibadan]].

Since Standard Yoruba's constitution was determined by a single author rather than by a consensual linguistic policy by all speakers, the Standard has been attacked regarding for failing to include other dialects and spurred debate as to what demarcates "genuine Yoruba".
Linguistically speaking, all demonstrate the varying [[phonological]] features of the Niger–Congo family to which they belong, these include the use of [[tone (linguistics)|tone]], [[nasalization|nasality]], and particular [[consonant]] and [[vowel]] systems; more information is available [[Niger–Congo#Common features|here]].

===Branches and locations===
Below is a list of major Niger–Congo branches and their primary locations based on Blench (2019).<ref name="BlenchAtlas4">{{Cite book|title=An Atlas of Nigerian Languages|last=Blench|first=Roger|publisher=Kay Williamson Educational Foundation|year=2019|edition=4th|location=Cambridge}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Distributions of [[Volta–Niger languages#Branches and locations|Volta–Niger]] branches
! Branch !! Primary locations
|-
| [[Akpes language#Names and locations|Akpes]] || Akoko North LGA, [[Ondo State]]
|-
| [[Ayere–Ahan languages#Names and locations|Ayere–Ahan]] || Akoko North LGA, [[Ondo State]]
|-
| [[Gbe languages|Gbe]] || [[Badagry]] LGA, [[Lagos State]] and adjacent areas
|-
| [[Yoruboid languages#Names and locations|Yoruboid]] || South-west, Central, and South-south states of Nigeria
|-
| [[Edoid languages#Names and locations|Edoid]] || Rivers, Edo, Ondo, Delta States
|-
| [[Akoko language|Akoko]] || Akoko North LGA, [[Ondo State]]
|-
| [[Igboid languages#Names and locations|Igboid]] || Anambra, Rivers, Delta States (excluding Igbo proper)
|-
| [[Ibibioid languages#Names and locations|Ibibioid]] || Akwa Ibom State, Cross River States
|-
| [[Nupoid languages#Names and locations|Nupoid]] || Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa States, Kogi, FCT
|-
| [[Oko language|Oko]] || [[Ogori-Magongo]] LGA, [[Kogi State]]
|-
| [[Idomoid languages#Names and locations|Idomoid]] || Benue, Cross River, Nasarawa States
|-
| [[Ukaan language|Ukaan]] || Akoko North LGA, [[Ondo State]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Distributions of [[Benue–Congo languages#Branches and locations (Nigeria)|Benue–Congo]] branches in Nigeria
! Branch !! Primary locations
|-
| [[Cross River languages#Branches and locations|Cross River]] || [[Cross River State|Cross River]], [[Akwa Ibom State|Akwa Ibom]], and [[Rivers State|Rivers]] States
|-
| [[Bendi languages#Names and locations|Bendi]] || [[Obudu]] and [[Ogoja]] LGAs, [[Cross River State]]
|-
| [[Mambiloid languages#Names and locations (Nigeria)|Mambiloid]] || [[Sardauna]] LGA, [[Taraba State]]; [[Cameroon]]
|-
| [[Dakoid languages#Names and locations|Dakoid]] || [[Mayo Belwa]] LGA, [[Taraba State]] and adjacent areas
|-
| [[Jukunoid languages#Names and locations|Jukunoid]] || [[Taraba State]]
|-
| [[Yukubenic languages#Names and locations|Yukubenic]] || [[Takum]] LGA, [[Taraba State]]
|-
| [[Kainji languages#Names and locations|Kainji]] || [[Kauru]] LGA, [[Kaduna State]] and [[Bassa, Plateau State|Bassa]] LGA, [[Plateau State]]; [[Kainji Lake]] area
|-
| [[Plateau languages#Branches and locations|Plateau]] || [[Plateau State|Plateau]], [[Kaduna State|Kaduna]], and [[Nasarawa State|Nasarawa]] States
|-
| [[Tivoid languages#Names and locations (Nigeria)|Tivoid]] || [[Obudu]] LGA, [[Cross River State]] and [[Sardauna]] LGA, [[Taraba State]]; [[Cameroon]]
|-
| [[Beboid languages#Names and locations (Nigeria)|Beboid]] || [[Takum]] LGA, [[Taraba State]]; [[Cameroon]]
|-
| [[Ekoid languages#Names and locations (Nigeria)|Ekoid]] || [[Ikom]] and [[Ogoja]] LGAs, [[Cross River State]]; [[Cameroon]]
|-
| [[Grassfields languages#Names and locations (Nigeria)|Grassfields]] || [[Sardauna]] LGA, [[Taraba State]]; [[Cameroon]]
|-
| [[Jarawan languages#Names and locations|Jarawan (Bantu)]] || [[Bauchi State|Bauchi]], [[Plateau State|Plateau]], [[Adamawa State|Adamawa]], and [[Taraba State|Taraba]] States
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Distributions of [[Savannas languages#Branches and locations (Nigeria)|Adamawa]] branches in Nigeria
! Branch !! Primary locations
|-
| [[Duru languages#Names and locations|Duru]] (Vere) || [[Fufore]] LGA, [[Adamawa State]]
|-
| [[Leko languages#Names and locations (Nigeria)|Leko]] || [[Adamawa State|Adamawa]] and [[Taraba State|Taraba]] States; [[Cameroon]]
|-
| [[Mumuye languages#Names and locations|Mumuye]] || [[Taraba State]]
|-
| [[Yendang languages#Names and locations|Yendang]] || [[Mayo Belwa]] and [[Numan, Nigeria|Numan]] LGAs, [[Adamawa State]]
|-
| [[Tula–Waja languages#Names and locations|Waja]] || [[Kaltungo]] and [[Balanga, Nigeria|Balanga]] LGAs, [[Gombe State]]
|-
| ''[[Kam language (Nigeria)|Kam]]'' || [[Bali, Nigeria|Bali]] LGA, [[Taraba State]]
|-
| ''[[Kwah language|Baa]]'' || [[Numan, Nigeria|Numan]] LGA, [[Adamawa State]]
|-
| ''[[Laka language (Nigeria)|Laka]]'' || [[Karim Lamido]] LGA, [[Taraba State]] and [[Yola, Adamawa|Yola]] LGA, [[Adamawa State]]
|-
| [[Bikwin–Jen languages#Names and locations|Jenjo]] || [[Karim Lamido]] LGA, [[Taraba State]]
|-
| [[Bikwin–Jen languages#Names and locations|Bikwin]] || [[Karim Lamido]] LGA, [[Taraba State]]
|-
| [[Bena–Mboi languages#Names and locations|Yungur]] || [[Song, Nigeria|Song]] and [[Guyuk]] LGAs, [[Adamawa State]]
|}

In addition, [[Ijaw languages#Names and locations|Ijaw languages]] are spoken in [[Rivers State]], [[Bayelsa State]], and other states of the [[Niger Delta]] region. [[Mande languages#Languages in Nigeria|Mande languages]] are spoken in [[Kebbi State]], [[Niger State]], and [[Kwara State]].<ref name="BlenchAtlas4"/>

==Nilo-Saharan languages==
In Nigeria, the [[Nilo-Saharan]] language family is represented by:
*[[Saharan languages]]:
**[[Kanuri language|Kanuri]] and [[Kanembu language|Kanembu]] in the northeastern part of Nigeria in the states of Borno, Yobe and parts of Jigawa, and Bauchi states
**[[Teda language|Teda]] in northern Nigeria
*[[Songhai languages]]:
**[[Zarma language|Zarma]] (Zabarma) and [[Dendi language|Dendi]] in [[Kebbi State]], [[Zamfara State]], [[Sokoto State]], [[Niger State]] near the border with the neighbouring countries of Niger and northern Benin, also in [[Kaduna State]], [[Yobe State]] and [[Lagos]] trading community.

*[[Central Sudanic languages]]:
**[[Lau Laka language|Lau Laka]], a recently discovered [[Central Sudanic]] language of [[Taraba State]]

== Foreign languages ==
[[French language|French]] is compulsory in all schools. In January 2016, the [[Minister of Education (Nigeria)|Minister for Education]] [[Anthony Anwuka|Anthony Anwukah]] announced a wish to make French the second language of business in Nigeria because the majority of African countries are [[Geographical distribution of French speakers|francophone]] and all of Nigeria's neighbouring countries are francophone.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-01-31 |title=FG declares French compulsory for all students {{!}} The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US |work=The Nation Newspaper |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/fg-declares-french-compulsory-students/ |access-date=2023-02-24}}</ref>

== List of languages ==
This is a non-exhaustive list of languages spoken in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/country/NG|title=Nigeria|work=Ethnologue|access-date=2017-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=An Atlas Of Nigerian Languages|last=Blench|first=Roger|publisher=Kay Williamson Educational Foundation|year=2014|location=Cambridge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=An Index of Nigerian languages|last1=Crozier|first1=David Henry|last2=Blench|first2=Roger|publisher=Summer Inst of Linguistics|year=1992|isbn=9780883126110|location=Dallas}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.ethnologue.com/15/show_country.asp?name=NG|title=Ethnologue 15 report for Nigeria|website=archive.ethnologue.com|access-date=2017-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104222134/http://archive.ethnologue.com/15/show_country.asp?name=NG |archive-date=4 January 2015}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:99%;"
! S/N
! width="15%" |Language
! Alternate names
! data-sort-type="number" style="width:15%;" |Number of speakers
! Native speakers
! width="30%" |States spoken in
! Current status
! Language Varieties
|-
|1
|[[Abanyom language|Abanyom]]
|Abanyum, Befun, Bofon, Mbofon
|13,000
|
|[[Cross River State|Cross River]]
| rowspan="11" |Active
|2
|-
|
|Nigerian Pidgin English
|Broken. Pidgin
|80,200,000
|
|All States
|
|-
|2
|[[Abon language|Abon]]
|Abong, Abõ, Ba'ban
|1,000
|
|[[Taraba State|Taraba]]
|
|-
|3
|[[Abua language|Abua]]
|Odual, Abuan
|25,000
|
|[[Rivers State|Rivers]]
|
|-
|4
|[[Abureni language|Abureni]]
|Mini
|4,000
|
|[[Bayelsa State|Bayelsa]]
|
|-
|5
|[[Eastern Acipa language|Achipa]]
|Achipawa
|5,000
|
|[[Kebbi State|Kebbi]]
|
|-
|6
|[[Adim language|Adim]]
|
|
|
|[[Cross River State|Cross River]]
|
|-
|7
|[[Aduge language|Aduge]]
|
|30,000
|
|[[Anambra State|Anambra]]
|
|-
|8
|[[Adun language|Adun]]
|
|
|
|[[Cross River State|Cross River]]
|
|-
|9
|[[Afade language|Afade]]
|Affade, Afadeh, Afada, Kotoko, Moga
|
|
|[[Borno State|Borno]], [[Yobe State|Yobe]]
|
|-
|10
|[[Afo language|Afo]]
|
|
|
|[[Plateau State|Plateau]]
|
|-
|11
|[[Afrike]]
|Afrerikpe
|60,000
|
|[[Cross River State|Cross River]]
|
|
|-
|12
|[[Ajawa language|Ajawa]]
|Aja, Ajanci
|
|
|[[Bauchi State|Bauchi]]
|Extinct
|
|-
|13
|[[Akaju]]-Ndem
|Akajuk
|
|
|[[Cross River State|Cross River]]
| rowspan="190" |Active
|
|-
|14
|Akweya-Yachi
|
|
|
|[[Benue State|Benue]]
|
|-
|15
|Alago
|Arago
|
|
| rowspan="3" |[[Plateau State|Plateau]]
|
|-
|16
|[[Amo language|Amo]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|17
|Anaguta
|
|
|
|
|-
|18
|[[Anang|Annang]]
|
|1,000,000
|
|[[Akwa Ibom State|Akwa Ibom]]
|
|-
|19
|[[Angas languages|Angas]]
|
|368,000
|
|[[Bauchi State|Bauchi]], [[Jigawa State|Jigawa]], [[Plateau State|Plateau]]
|
|-
|20
|Ankwei
|
|
|
|[[Plateau State|Plateau]]
|
|-
|21
|[[Arabic]]
|[[Chadian Arabic]] also known as [[Chadian Arabic|Shuwa Arabic]]
|265,000
|265,000
|[[Borno State|Borno]] by [[Baggara Arabs|Shuwa Arabs]]
|
|-
|22
|Anyima
|
|
|
|[[Cross River State|Cross River]]
|
|-
|23
|Arum
|
|
|
|Nasarawa
|
|-
|24
|Attakar
|Ataka
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|25
|Auyoka
|Auyokawa, Auyakawa, Awiaka
|
|
|Jigawa
|
|-
|26
|[[Awori]]
|
|
|
|Lagos, Ogun
|
|-
|27
|[[Ayu language|Ayu]]
|
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|28
|[[Babur]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa, Bomo, Taraba, Yobe
|
|-
|29
|[[Bacama language|Bachama]]
|
|
|
|[[Adamawa State|Adamawa]]
|
|-
|30
|Bachere
|
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|31
|[[Bada (operating system)|Bada]]
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|32
|[[Bade language|Bade]]
|
|
|
|Yobe
|
|-
|33
|Bakulung
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Taraba
|
|-
|34
|[[Bali language (Adamawa)|Bali]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|35
|[[Bambora]]
|Bambarawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|36
|[[Bambuko]]
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Taraba
|
|-
|37
|[[Banda languages|Banda]]
|Bandawa
|
|
|
|-
|38
|[[Banka language|Banka]]
|Bankalawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|39
|[[Banso]]
|Panso
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|40
|[[Bara language (Nigerian)|Bara]]
|Barawa
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Bauchi
|
|-
|41
|[[Barke language|Barke]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|42
|[[Baruba]]
|Barba
|
|
|Niger
|
|-
|43
|Bashiri
|Bashirawa
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|44
|[[Basa languages|Basa]]
|
|
|
|Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Plateau
|
|-
|45
|[[Bata language|Batta]]
|
|
|
|[[Adamawa State|Adamawa]]
|
|-
|46
|Baushi
|
|
|
|Niger
|
|-
|47
|[[Baya language|Baya]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|48
|[[Bekwarra language|Bekwarra]]
|
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|49
|[[Bele language|Bele]]
|Buli, Belewa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|50
|Betso
|Bete
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|51
|[[Bette language|Bette]]
|
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|52
|[[Bilei]]
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Adamawa Rivers
|
|-
|53
|[[Bille language|Bille]]
|
|40,000
|
|
|-
|54
|[[Bina language|Bina]]
|Binawa
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|55
|[[Bini language|Bini]]
|
|
|
|Edo
|
|-
|56
|[[Berom language|Birom]]
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|57
|[[Bobua]]
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|58
|[[Boki language|Boki]]
|Nki
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|59
|Bokkos
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|60
|[[Boko language|Boko]]
|Bussawa, Bargawa
|
|
|Niger
|
|-
|61
|Bole
|Bolewa
|
|
|Bauchi, Yobe
|
|-
|62
|[[Botlere]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|63
|Boma
|Bomawa, Burmano
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Bauchi
|
|-
|64
|[[Bomboro]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|65
|Buduma
|
|
|
|Borno, Niger
|
|-
|66
|[[Jere language|Buji]]
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|67
|[[Gur languages|Buli]]
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|68
|Bunu
|
|
|
|Kogi
|
|-
|69
|[[Bura language|Bura]]
|Bura-Pabir
|
|
|Borno, Adamawa, Yobe
|
|-
|70
|Burak
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|71
|Burma
|Burmawa
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|72
|[[Buru]]
|
|
|
|Yobe
|
|-
|73
|[[Buta language|Buta]]
|Butawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|74
|Bwall
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|75
|[[Bwatiye]]
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Adamawa
|
|-
|76
|Bwazza
|
|
|
|
|-
|77
|[[Challa language|Challa]]
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|78
|[[Chama language|Chama]]
|Chamawa Fitilai
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|79
|[[Chamba Leko|Chamba]]
|Chamba Daka, Chamba Leko
|
|
|Adamawa, Taraba
|2
|-
|80
|Chamo
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|81
|[[Cibak language|Cibak]]
|Chibbak, Chibok
|
|
|Borno
|
|-
|82
|[[Chinine]]
|
|
|
|Borno
|
|-
|83
|[[Chip language|Chip]]
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Plateau
|
|-
|84
|Chokobo
|
|
|
|
|-
|85
|Chukkol
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|86
|[[Cipu language|Cipu]]
|Western Acipa
|20,000
|
|Kebbi, Niger
|
|-
|87
|[[Daba language|Daba]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|88
|Dadiya
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|89
|[[Daka language|Daka]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|90
|[[Dakarkari]]
|
|
|
|Niger, Kebbi
|
|-
|91
|[[Danda]]
|Dandawa
|
|
|Kebbi
|
|-
|92
|[[Dangsa]]
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|93
|[[Dazawa language|Daza]]
|Dere, Derewa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|94
|[[Degema language|Degema]]
|
|
|
|Rivers
|
|-
|95
|Deno
|Denawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|96
|[[Dghwede language|Dghwede]]
|
|30,000
|
|[[Borno State|Borno]]
|
|-
|97
|[[Diba language|Diba]]
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|98
|Doemak
|Dumuk
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|99
|Duguri
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|100
|Duka
|Dukawa
|
|
|Kebbi
|
|-
|101
|Duma
|Dumawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|102
|[[Ebana]]
|Ebani
|
|
|Rivers
|
|-
|103
|[[Ebira language|Ebirra]]
|Igbirra
|1,000,000
|
|Edo, Kogi, Ondo
|
|-
|104
|[[Ebu]]
|
|
|
|Edo, Kogi, Delta (Anioma)
|
|-
|105
|[[Efik language|Efik]]
|
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|106
|Egbema
|
|
|
|Rivers, Imo
|
|-
|107
|[[Eggon language|Eggon]]
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|108
|Egun
|Gùn
|
|
|Lagos, Ogun
|
|-
|109
|[[Jagham language|Ejagham]]
|Jagham
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Cross River
|
|-
|110
|Ekajuk
|
|
|
|
|-
|111
|Eket
|
|
|
|Akwa Ibom
|
|-
|112
|[[Ekoid languages|Ekoi]]
|
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|113
|[[Ekpeye language|Ekpeye]]
|Ekpe ye
|
|
| rowspan="3" |[[Rivers State|Rivers]]
|
|-
|114
|Engenni
|Ngene
|
|
|
|-
|115
|[[Epie language|Epie]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|116
|[[Nigerian English|English]]
|
|178,000,000
|40,000,000
|
|4
|-
|117
|[[Esan language|Esan]]
|Ishan
|
|
|Edo
|
|-
|118
|Etche
|
|
|
|Rivers
|
|-
|119
|Etolu
|Etilo
|
|
|Benue
|
|-
|120
|[[Afenmai language|Etsako]]
|Afenmai
|
|
|Edo
|
|-
|121
|Etung
|
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|122
|Etuno
|
|
|
|Edo
|
|-
|123
|[[Fali of Mubi|Falli]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|124
|[[French language|French]]
|
|1,000,000
|200,000
|Bordering states of Nigeria
|
|-
|125
|[[Fula language|Fula]]
|Fulani, Fulbe, Fulfulde
|20,000,000
|18,000,000
|Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe
|7
|-
|126
|[[Fyam]]
|Fyem
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Plateau
|
|-
|127
|[[Fyer]]
|Fer
|
|
|
|-
|128
|Ga’anda
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|129
|[[Gade language|Gade]]
|
|
|
|Niger
|
|-
|130
|Galambi
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|131
|[[Gamergu language|Gamergu]]
|Mulgwa, Malgo, Malgwa
|
|
|[[Borno State|Borno]]
|
|-
|132
|Ganawuri
|Qanawuri
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|133
|[[Gavako]]
|
|
|
|Borno
|
|-
|134
|Gbedde
|
|
|
|Kogi
|
|-
|135
|[[Gbo language|Gbo]]
|Agbo, Legbo
|
|
|[[Cross River State|Cross River]]
|
|-
|136
|Gengle
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|137
|[[Geji]]
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Bauchi
|
|-
|138
|Gera
|Gere, Gerawa
|
|
|
|-
|139
|Geruma
|Gerumawa
|
|
|Bauchi, Plateau
|
|-
|140
|Gingwak
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|141
|[[Gira language (Nigeria)|Gira]]
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Adamawa
|
|-
|142
|Gizigz
|
|
|
|
|-
|143
|[[Goernai]]
|
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|144
|[[Gong]]
|
|100,000
|
|
|Plateau
|-
|145
|Gokana
|Kana
|
|
|Rivers
|
|-
|146
|[[Gombi]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|147
|Gornun
|Gmun
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Taraba
|
|-
|148
|[[Gonia]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|149
|[[Gubi language|Gubi]]
| Gubawa
|
|
| Bauchi
|
|-
|150
|[[Gude]]
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Adamawa
|
|-
|151
|[[Gudu]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|152
|[[Gure]]
|
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|153
|[[Gurmana]]
|
|
|
|Niger
|
|-
|154
|Gururntum
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|155
|[[Gusu language|Gusu]]
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|156
|[[Gwa language|Gwa]]
|Gurawa
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Adamawa
|
|-
|157
|[[Gwamba]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|158
|Gwandara
|
|
|
|Kaduna, Niger, Plateau
|
|-
|159
|[[Gwari]]
|Gbari
|
|
|Kaduna, Niger, FCT, Nasarawa,Kogi
|
|-
|160
|Gwom
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|161
|[[Gwoza language|Gwoza]]
|
|40,000
|
|[[Borno State|Borno]]
|
|-
|162
|[[Gyem language|Gyem]]
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|163
|[[Hausa language|Hausa]]
|
|63,000,000
|38,700,000
|Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kastina, Kebbi, Niger, Taraba, Sokoto, Zamfara
|9
|-
|164
|[[Humono language|Humono]]
|Kohumono
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|165
|Holma
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Adamawa
|
|-
|166
|[[Hona]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|167
|Hyam
|Ham, Jaba, Jabba
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|168
|[[Ibeno]]
|
|
|
|[[Akwa Ibom]]
|
|-
|169
|[[Ibibio language|Ibibio]]
|
|10,700,000
|6,200,000
|[[Akwa Ibom]], [[Cross River State|Cross River]]
|
|-
|170
|Ichen
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|171
|[[Idoma language|Idoma]]
|
|
|
|Benue, Taraba
|
|-
|172
|[[Igala language|Igala]]
|
|
|
|Kogi, Benue, Delta, Anambra
|
|-
|173
|[[Igbo language|Igbo]]
|
|31,000,000
|31,000,000
|Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Rivers
|3
|-
|174
|Igede
|Egede
|
|
|Benue
|
|-
|175
|[[Ijaw languages|Ijaw]]
|Izon
|2,440,000
|2,440,000
|Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Ondo, Akwa-Ibom
|
|-
|176
|[[Ijumu]]
|
|
|
|Kogi
|
|-
|176
|[[Ika language (Nigeria)|Ika]]
|
|
|
|Delta, Edo
|
|-
|177
|[[Ikorn]]
|
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|178
|Irigwe
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|179
|[[Isoko language|Isoko]]
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Delta
|
|-
|180
|[[Itsekiri language|Isekiri]]
|Itsekiri
|1,000,000
|
|
|-
|181
|Iyala
|Iyalla
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|182
|[[Izere language|Izere]]
|Izarek, Fizere, Fezere, Feserek, Afizarek, Afizare, Afusare, Jari, Jarawa, Jarawan Dutse, Hill Jarawa, Jos-Zarazon.
|100,000
|
|[[Plateau State|Plateau]]
|
|-
|183
|Izondjo
|
|
|
|Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo, Rivers
|
|-
|184
|[[Jahuna]]
|Jahunawa
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|185
|Jaku
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Bauchi
|
|-
|186
|[[Jara language|Jara]]
|Jaar, Jarawa, Jarawa-Dutse
|
|
|
|-
|187
|[[Jere language|Jere]]
|Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa
|
|
|Bauchi, Plateau
|
|-
|188
|Jero
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|189
|Jibu
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|190
|Jidda-Abu
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|191
|Jimbin
|Jimbinawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|192
|[[Jirai]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|193
|[[Jju language|Jju]]
|Kaje, Kache
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|194
|[[Jonjo]]
|Jenjo
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|195
|Jukun
|
|
|
|Bauchi, Benue, Taraba, Plateau
|
|-
|196
|Kaba
|Kabawa
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|197
|[[Adara language|Kadara]]
|Ajuah, Ajure, Adaa, Adara, Azuwa, Ajuwa, Azuwa,{{cn|date=March 2024}} Eda
|
|
|Kaduna,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sil.org/resources/archives/59967|title=A Summary of a Sociolinguistic Survey of the Adara of Kaduna and Niger States, Nigeria|date=November 24, 2014|website=SIL International}}</ref> Niger<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PXeEkne_ScwC&dq=kadara+of+niger+state&pg=PA319|title=Beyond the Execution: Understanding the Ethnic and Military Politics in Nigeria|first=Tom|last=Mbeke-Ekanem|date=May 19, 2000|publisher=Writer's Showcase|isbn=9780595092802|via=Google Books}}</ref>
|
|-
|198
|Kafanchan
|
|
|
| rowspan="3" |Kaduna
|
|-
|199
|[[Kagoro]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|200
|[[Kajuru]]
|Kajurawa
|
|
|
|-
|201
|[[Manenguba language|Kaka]]
|Manenguba
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|202
|Kamaku
|Karnukawa
|
|
|Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger
|
|
|-
|203
| Kambari
|
|
|
| Kebbi, Niger
|
|
|-
|204
|Kamwe
| (Kapsiki) in Cameroon
|1.2 million native speakers
|
|Adamawa, Borno and Republic of Cameroon
|Active<ref>Kwache,IY (2016)Kamwe People of Northern Nigeria: Origin, History and Culture</ref>
|
|-
|205
|[[Kamo language|Kamo]]
|
|
|
|Bauchi
| rowspan="184" |Active
|
|-
|206
|Kanakuru
|Dera
|
|
|Adamawa, Borno
|
|-
|207
|[[Kanembu language|Kanembu]]
|
|
|
|[[Borno State|Borno]]
|
|-
|208
|Kanikon
|
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|209
|Kantana
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|210
|Kanufi
|
|
|
|Kaduna<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MdaAdBC-_S4C&dq=kanufi+kaduna&pg=PA272|title=The Peoples of Africa: An Ethnohistorical Dictionary|first1=James Stuart|last1=Olson|first2=Charles|last2=Meur|date=May 19, 1996|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780313279188|via=Google Books}}</ref>
|
|-
|211
|[[Kanuri language|Kanuri]]
|
|8,150,000
|7,650,000
|Borno, Kaduna, Adamawa, Kano, Niger, Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe
|
|-
|212
|Karai-Karai (language)
|Karaikarai, Karekare
|
|
|Bauchi, Yobe
|
|-
|213
|[[Karimjo]]
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|214
|Kariya
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|215
|Katab
|Kataf
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|216
|Kenern
|Koenoem
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|217
|Kenton
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|218
|Kiballo
|Kiwollo
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|219
|[[Kilba]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|220
|Kirfi
|Kirfawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|221
|Koma
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Taraba
|
|-
|222
|[[Kona language|Kona]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|223
|Koro
|Kwaro
|
|
|Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa
|
|-
|224
|Kubi
|Kubawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|225
|Kudachano
|Kudawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|226
|[[Kugama]]
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|227
|Kulere
|Kaler
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|228
|Kunini
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|229
|Kurama
|
|
|
|Jigawa, Kaduna, Niger, Plateau
|
|-
|230
|Kurdul
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|231
|[[Kushi language|Kushi]]
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|232
|Kuteb
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Taraba
|
|-
|233
|Kutin
|
|
|
|
|-
|234
|[[Kwah language|Kwah]]
|Baa
|18,000
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|235
|[[Kwalla]]
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|236
|Kwami
|Kwom
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|237
|Kwanchi
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|238
|Kwanka
|Kwankwa
|
|
|Bauchi, Plateau
|
|-
|239
|[[Kwaro]]
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Plateau
|
|-
|240
|[[Kwato language (Nigeria)|Kwato]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|241
|Kyenga
|Kengawa
|
|
|Sokoto
|
|-
|242
|Laaru
|Larawa
|
|
|Niger
|
|-
|243
|Lakka
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Adamawa
|
|-
|244
|[[Lala-Roba language|Lala]]
|
|
|
|
|-
|245
|[[Lama]]
|
|
|
| rowspan="3" |Taraba
|
|-
|246
|Lamja
|
|
|
|
|-
|247
|Lau
|
|
|
|
|-
|248
|[[Ubbo language|Ubbo]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|249
|[[Limono]]
|
|
|
|Bauchi, Plateau
|
|-
|250
|Lopa
|Lupa, Lopawa
|
|
|Niger
|
|-
|251
|Longuda
|Lunguda
|
|
|Adamawa, Bauchi
|
|-
|252
|[[Mabo language|Mabo]]
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|253
|[[Mada]]
|
|
|
|Kaduna, Plateau
|
|-
|254
|[[Mama language|Mama]]
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|255
|Mambilla
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|256
|Manchok
|
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|257
|[[Mandara language|Mandara]]
|Wandala
|
|
|[[Borno State|Borno]]
|
|-
|258
|Manga
|Mangawa
|
|
|Yobe
|
|-
|259
|[[Margi language|Margi]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa, Borno
|
|-
|260
|Matakarn
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|261
|[[Mbembe language|Mbembe]]
|
|
|
|Cross River, Enugu
|
|-
|262
|[[Mbol]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|263
|Mbube
|
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|264
|Mbula
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|265
|Mbum
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|266
|Memyang
|Meryan
|
|
| rowspan="3" |Plateau
|
|-
|267
|Miango
|
|
|
|
|-
|268
|Miligili
|Migili
|
|
|
|-
|269
|[[Miya language|Miya]]
|Miyawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|270
|Mobber
|
|
|
|[[Borno State|Borno]]
|
|-
|271
|Montol
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|272
|Moruwa
|Moro’a, Morwa
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|273
|Muchaila
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|274
|Mumuye
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|275
|[[Mundang]]
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|276
|[[Mwaghavul language|Mupun]]
|
|1,000,000
|
| rowspan="3" |Plateau
|
|-
|278
|Mushere
|
|
|
|
|-
|279
|Mwahavul
|Mwaghavul
|
|
|
|-
|280
|Ndoro
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|281
|Ngamo
|
|
|
|Bauchi, Yobe
|
|-
|282
|Ngizim
|
|
|
|Yobe
|
|-
|283
|Ngweshe
|Ndhang, Ngoshe-Ndhang
|
|
|Adamawa, Borno
|
|-
|284
|Ningi
|Ningawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|285
|Ninzam
|Ninzo
|
|
|Kaduna, Plateau
|
|-
|286
|Njayi
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|287
|Nkim
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Cross River
|
|-
|288
|Nkum
|
|
|
|
|-
|289
|Nokere
|Nakere
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|290
|[[Nsukka language|Nsukka]]
|
|
|
|[[Enugu State]] and some parts of [[Kogi state]]
|
|-
|291
|Nunku
|
|
|
|Kaduna, Plateau
|
|-
|292
|Nupe
|
|
|
|Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT
|
|-
|293
|Nyandang
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|294
|[[Obolo language|Obolo]]
|Andoni
|
|
|[[Akwa Ibom State|Akwa Ibom]], [[Rivers State|Rivers]]
|
|-
|295
|[[Ogba language|Ogba]]
|Ogba
| 1000+
|
|[[Rivers State |Rivers]]
|
|-
|296
|[[Ogbia language|Ogbia]]
|
|
|
|Bayelsa
|
|-
|297
|Ofutop
|Ofutop (okangha(2)
|5,000
|4,000
|Ikom, Okuni, Cross River
|
|-
|298
|Ogori
|
|
|
|Kwara
|
|-
|299
|Okobo
|Okkobor
|
|
|Akwa Ibom
|
|-
|300
|Okpamheri
|
|
|
|Edo
|
|-
|301
|[[Okpe language (Southwestern Edo)|Okpe]]
|Okpe
|1,000,000
|
|Delta
|
|-
|302
|Olulumo
|
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|302
|[[Oro language|Oro]]
|Oron
|1,000,000
|
|Akwa Ibom
|
|-
|303
|Owan
|
|
|
|Edo
|
|-
|304
|Owe
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Kwara
|
|-
|305
|Oworo
|
|
|
|
|-
|306
|Pa’a
|Pa’awa, Afawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|307
|Pai
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|308
|Panyam
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|309
|Pero
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|310
|Pire
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|311
|Pkanzom
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Taraba
|
|-
|312
|Poll
|
|
|
|
|-
|313
|Polchi Habe
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|314
|Pongo
|Pongu
|
|
|Niger
|
|-
|315
|Potopo
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|315
|Pyapun
|Piapung
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|317
|Qua
|
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|318
|Rebina
|Rebinawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|319
|Reshe
|
|
|
|Kebbi, Niger
|
|-
|320
|Rindire
|Rendre
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|321
|Rishuwa
|
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|322
|Ron
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|323
|Rubu
|
|
|
|Niger
|
|-
|324
|Rukuba
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|325
|Rumada
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Kaduna
|
|-
|326
|Rumaya
|
|
|
|
|-
|327
|Sakbe
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|328
|Sanga
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|329
|Sate
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|330
|[[Saya language|Saya]]
|Sayawa, Za’ar
|
|
|Bauchi, Plateau, Kaduna, Abuja, Niger, Kogi
|
|-
|331
|Segidi
|Sigidawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|332
|Shanga
|Shangawa
|
|
|Sokoto
|
|-
|333
|Shangawa
|Shangau
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|334
|Shan-Shan
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|335
|Shira
|Shirawa
|
|
|Kano
|
|-
|336
|Shomo
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|337
|Shuwa
|
|
|
|Adamawa, Borno
|
|-
|338
|Sikdi
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|339
|Siri
|Sirawa
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|340
|Srubu
|Surubu
|
|
|Kaduna
|
|-
|341
|Sukur
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|342
|Sura
|
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|343
|Tangale
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|344
|Tarok
|
|
|
|Plateau, Taraba
|
|-
|345
|Teme
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|346
|Tera
|Terawa
|
|
|Bauchi, Bomo
|
|-
|347
|Teshena
|Teshenawa
|
|
|Kano
|
|-
|348
|Tigon
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|349
|Tikar
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|350
|[[Tiv language|Tiv]]
|
|5,000,000
|
|Benue, Plateau,adamawa, Taraba, Nasarawa
|2
|-
|351
|Tula
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|352
|Tur
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|353
|Ufia
|
|
|
|Benue
|
|-
|354
|[[Kele language (Nigeria)|Ukelle]]
|Kele, Kukelle
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|355
|Ukwani
|Kwale,Aboh
|
|
|Delta
|
|-
|356
|Uncinda
|
|
|
|Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto
|
|-
|357
|Uneme
|Ineme
|
|
|Edo
|
|-
|358
|[[Ura language (Nigeria)|Ura]]
|Ula
|
|
|Niger
|
|-
|359
|[[Urhobo language|Urhobo]]
|
|1,000,000
|
|Delta
|
|-
|360
|Utonkong
|
|
|
|Benue
|
|-
|361
|Uvwie
|
|100,000
|
|Delta
|
|-
|362
|Uyanga
|
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|363
|Vemgo
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Adamawa
|
|-
|364
|Verre
|
|
|
|
|-
|365
|Vommi
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|366
|Wagga
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|367
|Waja
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|368
|Waka
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|369
|Warja
|
|
|
|Jigawa
|
|-
|370
|Warji
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|371
|Wula
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Adamawa
|
|-
|372
|Wurbo
|
|
|
|
|-
|373
|Wurkun
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|374
|Yache
|
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|375
|Yagba
|
|
|
|Kwara
|
|-
|376
|Yakurr
|Yako
|
|
|Cross River
|
|-
|377
|Yalla
|
|
|
|Benue
|
|-
|378
|Yandang
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|379
|Yergan
|Yergum
|
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|380
|[[Yoruba language|Yoruba]]
|
|45,700,000
|43,700,000
|Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Kogi, Edo
|2
|-
|381
|[[Yott]]
|
|
|
|Taraba
|
|-
|382
|Yumu
|
|
|
|Niger
|
|-
|383
|Yungur
|
|
|
|Adamawa
|
|-
|384
|Yuom
|
|250,000
|
|Plateau
|
|-
|385
|Zabara
|
|
|
|Niger
|
|-
|386
|Zaranda
|
|
|
|Bauchi
|
|-
|387
|[[Zarma language|Zarma]]
|Dyerma, Dyarma, Dyabarma, Zabarma, Adzerma, Djerma, Zarbarma, Zerma, Zarmawa
|
|
|Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger State, Yobe, Kaduna, Lagos
|
|-
|388
|Zayam
|Zeam
|
|
| rowspan="2" |Bauchi
|
|-
|389
|Zul
|Zulawa
|
|
|
|
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Languages|Nigeria}}
*[[Niger-Congo languages]]
*[[Ethnic groups of Nigeria]]

== Notes ==
<references />

==Bibliographies==
*Crozier, David & Blench, Roger (1992) ''An Index of Nigerian Languages (2nd edition)''. Dallas: SIL.mbembe language in cross river
*Blench, Roger (1998) 'The Status of the Languages of Central Nigeria', in Brenzinger, M. (ed.) ''Endangered languages in Africa''. Köln: Köppe Verlag, 187–206. [http://www.rogerblench.info/Language/Africa/Nigeria/Language%20Death%20in%20Nigeria.pdf online version]
*Blench, Roger (2002) [http://www.rogerblench.info/Language/Africa/Nigeria/Minority%20Languages-%20Nigeria%202001.pdf Research on Minority Languages in Nigeria in 2001]. ''Ogmios''.
*Blench, Roger (n.d.) [http://www.rogerblench.info/Language/Africa/Nigeria/Atlas%20of%20Nigerian%20Languages-%20ed%20III.pdf Atlas of Nigerian Languages, ed. III] (revised and amended edition of Crozier & Blench 1992)
*Kwache, Iliya Yame (2016) Kamwe People of Northern Nigeria :Origin, History and Culture
*Chigudu, Theophilus Tanko (2017); Indigenous peoples of North clCentral Nigeria Area: an endangered race.
*{{Cite book|title=An Atlas of Nigerian Languages|last=Blench|first=Roger|publisher=Kay Williamson Educational Foundation|year=2019|edition=4th|location=Cambridge}}
*Emenanjo, E. N. (2019). ''Four Decades in the Study of Nigerian Languages and Linguistics: A Festschrift for KayWilliamson.''
*Lamle, Elias Nankap, Coprreality and Dwelling spaces in Tarokland. NBTT Press. Jos Nigeria in "Ngappak" journal of the Tarok Nation 2005

==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=yes}}
* [http://www.muturzikin.com/cartenigeria.htm African linguistic maps: Nigeria & Cameroun] on Muturzikin.com
* [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=NG Ethnologue listing of Nigerian languages]

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