Languages of Nigeria

There are over 500 native languages spoken in Nigeria.[1][2] The official language of Nigeria is English, the former language of colonial British Nigeria. As reported in 2003, Nigerian English and Nigerian Pidgin were spoken as a second language by 60 million people in Nigeria.[3] Communication in the English language is much more popular in the country's urban communities than it is in the rural areas, due to globalization.[4]

Languages of Nigeria
RegionalIgbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Fulfulde, Ijaw, Edo, Ibibio, Kanuri, Tiv, Nupe and others
SignedNigerian Sign Language
Hausa Sign Language
Bura Sign Language
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A map of the major languages of Nigeria, Cameroon and Benin

The major native languages, in terms of population, are Hausa (over 63 million when including L2 speakers), Yoruba (over 42 million including L2 speakers), Igbo (over 35 million, including L2 speakers) Fulfulde (15 million), Ibibio cluster (10 million), Kanuri (8 million), Tiv (4 million), and approx. 2 to 3 million each of Edo, Igala, Nupe, and Izon. [5]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. Nigeria also has several as-yet unclassified languages, such as Centúúm, which may represent a relic of an even greater diversity prior to the spread of the current language families.[6]

Niger–Congo languages
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, Atlantic, Gur, Kwa, Benue–Congo and Adamawa–Ubangi[7]. Mande is represented by the Busa cluster and Kyenga in the northwest. Fulfulde is the single Atlantic language, of Senegambian origin but now spoken by cattle pastoralists across the Sahel and largely in the northeastern states of Nigeria, especially Adamawa.

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

The Adamawa–Ubangian languages are spoken between central Nigeria and the Central African Republic. Their westernmost representatives in Nigeria are the Tula-Waja languages. The Kwa languages are represented by the Gun group in the extreme southwest, which is affiliated to the Gbe languages 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, Ibibio, and Annang), as 'Eastern 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 Kwa, i.e. West Benue–Congo would then include Igboid, i.e. Igbo language proper, Ukwuani, Ikwerre, Ekpeye etc., Yoruboid, i.e. Yoruba, Itsekiri and Igala, Akokoid (eight small languages in Ondo, Edo and Kogi state), Edoid including Edo (sometimes referred to as) Bini in Edo State, Ibibio-Efik, Idomoid (Idoma) and Nupoid (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, Plateau (46 languages, notably Gamai language), Jukunoid, Dakoid and Cross River. Apart from these, there are numerous Bantoid languages, which are the languages immediately ancestral to Bantu. These include Mambiloid, Ekoid, Bendi, Beboid, Grassfields and Tivoid languages.

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 romanized orthography. Nearly all languages appear in a Latin alphabet when written.

The Efik, 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 Samuel Crowther, the first African bishop of the Anglican Church and owes most of its lexicon to the dialects spoken in 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, nasality, and particular consonant and vowel systems; more information is available here.

Branches and locations

Below is a list of major Niger–Congo branches and their primary locations based on Blench (2019).[8]

Distributions of Volta–Niger branches
BranchPrimary locations
AkpesAkoko North LGA, Ondo State
Ayere–AhanAkoko North LGA, Ondo State
GbeBadagry LGA, Lagos State and adjacent areas
YoruboidSouthwestern Nigeria
EdoidRivers, Edo, Ondo, Delta States
AkokoAkoko North LGA, Ondo State
IgboidAnambra, Rivers, Delta States (excluding Igbo proper)
NupoidNiger, Kwara, Nasarawa States, Kogi, FCT
OkoOgori-Magongo LGA, Kogi State
IdomoidBenue, Cross River, Nasarawa States
UkaanAkoko North LGA, Ondo State
Distributions of Benue–Congo branches in Nigeria
BranchPrimary locations
Cross RiverCross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers States
BendiObudu and Ogoja LGAs, Cross River State
MambiloidSardauna LGA, Taraba State; Cameroon
DakoidMayo Belwa LGA, Taraba State and adjacent areas
JukunoidTaraba State
YukubenicTakum LGA, Taraba State
KainjiKauru LGA, Kaduna State and Bassa LGA, Plateau State; Kainji Lake area
PlateauPlateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa States
TivoidObudu LGA, Cross River State and Sardauna LGA, Taraba State; Cameroon
BeboidTakum LGA, Taraba State; Cameroon
EkoidIkom and Ogoja LGAs, Cross River State; Cameroon
GrassfieldsSardauna LGA, Taraba State; Cameroon
JarawanBauchi, Plateau, Adamawa, and Taraba States
Distributions of Adamawa branches in Nigeria
BranchPrimary locations
Duru (Vere)Fufore LGA, Adamawa State
LekoAdamawa and Taraba States; Cameroon
MumuyeTaraba State
YendangMayo Belwa and Numan LGAs, Adamawa State
WajaKaltungo and Balanga LGAs, Gombe State
KamBali LGA, Taraba State
BaaNuman LGA, Adamawa State
LakaKarim Lamido LGA, Taraba State and Yola LGA, Adamawa State
JenKarim Lamido LGA, Taraba State
BikwinKarim Lamido LGA, Taraba State
YungurSong and Guyuk LGAs, Adamawa State

In addition, Ijaw languages are spoken in Rivers State, Bayelsa State, and other states of the Niger Delta region. Mande languages are spoken in Kebbi State, Niger State, and Kwara State.[8]


Afroasiatic languages

The Afroasiatic languages of Nigeria divide into Chadic, Semitic and Berber. Of these, Chadic languages predominate, with 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.

A map showing Afroasiatic speaking peoples in Nigeria

The Hausa language is the most well-known Chadic language in Nigeria mampoza; 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 Nigerian Muslims, and the language is often associated with Islamic culture in Nigeria and West Africa on the whole.

Hausa is classified as a West Chadic language of the Chadic grouping, a major subfamily of Afroasiatic. Culturally, the Hausa people have become closely integrated with the Fulani following the establishment of the Sokoto Caliphate by the Fulani Uthman dan Fodio in the 19th century. Hausa is the official language of a number states in Northern Nigeria and the most important dialect is generally regarded as that spoken in 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, Katsinanchi in Katsina Arewanchi in both Gobir and Adar, Kebbi, and Zamfara. Katsina is transitional between Eastern and Western dialects. Northern Hausa dialects include Arewa and Arawa, while Zaria is a prominent Southern tongue version; Barikanchi is a pidgin formerly used in the military.

Hausa is a highly 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, Ngizim, Bade and Bachama. In the East of Nigeria and on into Cameroun are the Central Chadic languages, such as Bura, Kamwe and Marghi. 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, witness the recent description of Dyarim.

Hausa, as well as other Afroasiatic languages like Bade (another West Chadic language spoken in Yobe State), have historically been written in a modified Arabic script known as ajami, however, the modern official orthography is now a romanization known as boko first introduced by the British regime in the 1930s.

Branches and locations

Below is a list of major Chadic branches and their primary locations based on Blench (2019).[8] Like the Adamawa and Bantu languages, Chadic branches are also referred to by lettered codes.

BranchCodePrimary locations
Distributions of West Chadic branches
Hausa–GwandaraA1Northern Nigeria
Bole–TangaleA2Darazo LGA, Bauchi State; Yobe, Taraba, Gombe, Borno states
AngasA3Shendam and Mangu LGAs, Plateau State
RonA4Mangu LGA, Plateau State
BadeB1Bade LGA, Borno State
Warji (North Bauchi)B2Darazo and Ningi LGAs, Bauchi State
Barawa (South Bauchi)B3Bauchi State (Toro, Dass, Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi LGAs)
BranchCodePrimary locations
Distributions of Biu–Mandara branches in Nigeria
TeraA1Gombi LGA, Adamawa State and Biu LGA, Borno State
BataA8Mubi LGA, Adamawa State
Kamwe (Higi)A3Michika LGA, Mubi North LGA, Hong LGA, Madagali LGA Adamawa State; Askira/Uba LGA, Borno State
MandaraA4Gwoza LGA, Borno State and Michika LGA, Adamawa State

Other than Chadic languages, Arabic varieties, particularly Shuwa Arabic, are also spoken throughout northern Nigeria.

Nilo-Saharan languages

In Nigeria, the Nilo-Saharan language family is represented by:

List of languages

This is a non-exhaustive list of languages in Nigeria.[9][10][11][12]

Language Alternate names Number of speakers States spoken in Current status
Abanyom Abanyum, Befun, Bofon, Mbofon 13,000 Cross River Active
Abon Abong, Abõ, Ba'ban 1,000 Taraba Active
Abua Odual, Abuan 25,000 Rivers Active
Abureni Mini 4,000 Bayelsa Active
Achipa Achipawa 5,000 Kebbi Active
Adim Cross River Active
Aduge 30,000 Anambra Active
Adun Cross River Active
Afade Affade, Afadeh, Afada, Kotoko, Moga Borno, Yobe Active
Afo Plateau Active
Afrikaans Lagos Active
Afrike Afrerikpe 60,000 Cross River Active
Ajawa Aja, Ajanci Bauchi Extinct
Akaju-Ndem Akajuk Cross River Active
Akweya-Yachi Benue Active
Alago Arago Plateau Active
Amo Plateau Active
Anaguta Plateau Active
Anang Akwa Ibom Active
Angas Bauchi, Jigawa, Plateau Active
Ankwei Plateau Active
Anyima Cross River Active
Arabic Chadian Arabic also known as Shuwa Arabic Borno by Baggara Arabs Active
Attakar Ataka Kaduna Active
Auyoka Auyokawa, Auyakawa, Awiaka Jigawa Active
Awori Lagos, Ogun Active
Ayu Kaduna Active
Babur Adamawa, Bomo, Taraba, Yobe Active
Bachama Adamawa Active
Bachere Cross River Active
Bada Plateau Active
Bade Yobe Active
Bahumono Cross River Active
Bakulung Taraba Active
Bali Taraba Active
Bambora Bambarawa Bauchi Active
Bambuko Taraba Active
Banda Bandawa Taraba Active
Banka Bankalawa Bauchi Active
Banso Panso Adamawa Active
Bara Barawa Bauchi Active
Barke Bauchi Active
Baruba Barba Niger Active
Bashiri Bashirawa Plateau Active
Basa Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Plateau Active
Batta Adamawa Active
Baushi Niger Active
Baya Adamawa Active
Bekwarra Cross River Active
Bele Buli, Belewa Bauchi Active
Betso Bete Taraba Active
Bette Cross River Active
Bilei Adamawa Active
Bille Adamawa Active
Bina Binawa Kaduna Active
Bini Edo Active
Birom Plateau Active
Bobua Taraba Active
Boki Nki Cross River Active
Bokkos Plateau Active
Boko Bussawa, Bargawa Niger Active
Bole Bolewa Bauchi, Yobe Active
Botlere Adamawa Active
Boma Bomawa, Burmano Bauchi Active
Bomboro Bauchi Active
Buduma Borno, Niger Active
Buji Plateau Active
Buli Bauchi Active
Bunu Kogi Active
Bura Bura, Pabir Borno, Adamawa, Yobe Active
Burak Bauchi Active
Burma Burmawa Plateau Active
Buru Yobe Active
Buta Butawa Bauchi Active
Bwall Plateau Active
Bwatiye Adamawa Active
Bwazza Adamawa Active
Challa Plateau Active
Chama Chamawa Fitilai Bauchi Active
Chamba Taraba Active
Chamo Bauchi Active
Cibak Chibbak, Chibok Yobe Active
Chinine Borno Active
Chip Plateau Active
Chokobo Plateau Active
Chukkol Taraba Active
Cipu Western Acipa 20,000 Kebbi, Niger Active
Daba Adamawa Active
Dadiya Bauchi Active
Daka Adamawa Active
Dakarkari Niger, Kebbi Active
Danda Dandawa Kebbi Active
Dangsa Taraba Active
Daza Dere, Derewa Bauchi Active
Degema Rivers Active
Deno Denawa Bauchi Active
Dghwede 30,000 Borno Active
Diba Taraba Active
Doemak Dumuk Plateau Active
Duguri Bauchi Active
Duka Dukawa Kebbi Active
Duma Dumawa Bauchi Active
Ebana Ebani Rivers Active
Ebirra Igbirra 1,000,000 Edo, Kogi, Ondo Active
Ebu Edo, Kogi Active
Efik Cross River Active
Egbema Rivers Active
Eggon Plateau Active
Egun Gu Lagos, Ogun Active
Ejagham Jagham Cross River Active
Ekajuk Cross River Active
Eket Akwa Ibom Active
Ekoi Cross River Active
Ekpeye Ekpe ye Rivers Active
Engenni Ngene Rivers Active
Epie Rivers Active
Esan Ishan Edo Active
Etche Rivers Active
Etolu Etilo Benue Active
Etsako Afenmai Edo Active
Etung Cross River Active
Etuno Edo Active
Falli Adamawa Active
Fula Fulani, Fulbe, Fulfulde 15,000,000 Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe Active
French Bordering states of Nigeria Active
Fyam Fyem Plateau Active
Fyer Fer Plateau Active
Ga’anda Adamawa Active
Gade Niger Active
Galambi Bauchi Active
Gamergu Mulgwa, Malgo, Malgwa Borno Active
Ganawuri Qanawuri Plateau Active
Gavako Borno Active
Gbedde Kogi Active
Gbo Agbo, Legbo Cross River Active
Gengle Taraba Active
Geji Bauchi Active
Gera Gere, Gerawa Bauchi Active
Geruma Gerumawa Bauchi, Plateau Active
Gingwak Bauchi Active
Gira Adamawa Active
Gizigz Adamawa Active
Goernai Plateau Active
Gokana Kana Rivers Active
Gombi Adamawa Active
Gornun Gmun Taraba Active
Gonia Taraba Active
Gubi Gubawa Bauchi Active
Gude Adamawa Active
Gudu Adamawa Active
Gure Kaduna Active
Gurmana Niger Active
Gururntum Bauchi Active
Gusu Plateau Active
Gwa Gurawa Adamawa Active
Gwamba Adamawa Active
Gwandara Kaduna, Niger, Plateau Active
Gwari Gbari Kaduna, Niger, FCT, Nasarawa Active
Gwom Taraba Active
Gwoza 40,000 Borno Active
Gyem Bauchi Active
Hausa 34,000,000 Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kastina, Kebbi, Niger, Taraba, Sokoto, Zamfara Active
Holma Adamawa Active
Hona Adamawa Active
Hyam Ham, Jaba, Jabba Kaduna Active
Ibeno Akwa Ibom Active
Ibibio Akwa Ibom Active
Ichen Adamawa Active
Idoma Benue, Taraba Active
Igala Kogi Active
Igbo 40,000,000 Abia, Anambra, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Rivers Active
Igede Egede Benue Active
Ijaw Bayelsa Active
Ijumu Kogi Active
Ika Delta Active
Ikorn Cross River Active
Irigwe Plateau Active
Isoko Delta Active
Isekiri Itsekiri 1,000,000 Delta Active
Iyala Iyalla Cross River Active
Izere Izarek, Fizere, Fezere, Feserek, Afizarek, Afizare, Afusare, Jari, Jarawa, Jarawan Dutse, Hill Jarawa, Jos-Zarazon. 100,000 Plateau Active
Izondjo Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo, Rivers Active
Jahuna Jahunawa Taraba Active
Jaku Bauchi Active
Jara Jaar, Jarawa, Jarawa-Dutse Bauchi Active
Jere Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa Bauchi, Plateau Active
Jero Taraba Active
Jibu Adamawa Active
Jidda-Abu Plateau Active
Jimbin Jimbinawa Bauchi Active
Jirai Adamawa Active
Jju Kaje, Kache Kaduna Active
Jonjo Jenjo Taraba Active
Jukun Bauchi, Benue, Taraba, Plateau Active
Kaba Kabawa Taraba Active
Kadara Ajuah, Ajure, Adaa, Adara, Azuwa, Ajuwa, Azuwa,[13] Eda Kaduna,[14] Niger Active
Kafanchan Kaduna Active
Kagoro Kaduna Active
Kajuru Kajurawa Kaduna Active
Kaka Manenguba Adamawa Active
Kamaku Karnukawa Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger Active
Kambari Kebbi, Niger Active
Kamwe Adamawa, Borno and Republic of Cameroon Active[15]
Kamo Bauchi Active
Kanakuru Dera Adamawa, Borno Active
Kanembu Borno Active
Kanikon Kaduna Active
Kantana Plateau Active
Kanufi Kaduna[16] Active
Kanuri Borno, Kaduna, Adamawa, Kano, Niger, Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe Active
Karekare Karaikarai Bauchi, Yobe Active
Karimjo Taraba Active
Kariya Bauchi Active
Katab Kataf Kaduna Active
Kenern Koenoem Plateau Active
Kenton Taraba Active
Kiballo Kiwollo Kaduna Active
Kilba Adamawa Active
Kirfi Kirfawa Bauchi Active
Koma Taraba Active
Kona Taraba Active
Koro Kwaro Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa Active
Kubi Kubawa Bauchi Active
Kudachano Kudawa Bauchi Active
Kugama Taraba Active
Kulere Kaler Plateau Active
Kunini Taraba Active
Kurama Jigawa, Kaduna, Niger, Plateau Active
Kurdul Adamawa Active
Kushi Bauchi Active
Kuteb Taraba Active
Kutin Taraba Active
Kwah Baa 18,000 Adamawa Active
Kwalla Plateau Active
Kwami Kwom Bauchi Active
Kwanchi Taraba Active
Kwanka Kwankwa Bauchi, Plateau Active
Kwaro Plateau Active
Kwato Plateau Active
Kyenga Kengawa Sokoto Active
Laaru Larawa Niger Active
Lakka Adamawa Active
Lala Adamawa Active
Lama Taraba Active
Lamja Taraba Active
Lau Taraba Active
Ubbo Adamawa Active
Limono Bauchi, Plateau Active
Lopa Lupa, Lopawa Niger Active
Longuda Lunguda Adamawa, Bauchi Active
Mabo Plateau Active
Mada Kaduna, Plateau Active
Mama Plateau Active
Mambilla Adamawa Active
Manchok Kaduna Active
Mandara Wandala Borno Active
Manga Mangawa Yobe Active
Margi Adamawa, Borno, Yobe Active
Matakarn Adamawa Active
Mbembe Cross River, Enugu Active
Mbol Adamawa Active
Mbube Cross River Active
Mbula Adamawa Active
Mbum Taraba Active
Memyang Meryan Plateau Active
Miango Plateau Active
Miligili Migili Plateau Active
Miya Miyawa Bauchi Active
Mobber Borno Active
Montol Plateau Active
Moruwa Moro’a, Morwa Kaduna Active
Muchaila Adamawa Active
Mumuye Taraba Active
Mundang Adamawa Active
Mupun 1,000,000 Plateau Active
Mushere Plateau Active
Mwahavul Mwaghavul Plateau Active
Ndoro Taraba Active
Ngamo Bauchi, Yobe Active
Ngizim Yobe Active
Ngweshe Ndhang, Ngoshe-Ndhang Adamawa, Borno Active
Ningi Ningawa Bauchi Active
Ninzam Ninzo Kaduna, Plateau Active
Njayi Adamawa Active
Nkim Cross River Active
Nkum Cross River Active
Nokere Nakere Plateau Active
Nsukka Enugu State and some parts of Kogi state Active
Nunku Kaduna, Plateau Active
Nupe Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT Active
Nyandang Taraba Active
Obolo Andoni Akwa Ibom, Rivers Active
Ogbia Bayelsa Active
Ododop Cross River Active
Ogori Kwara Active
Okobo Okkobor Akwa Ibom Active
Okpamheri Edo Active
Olulumo Cross River Active
Oron Akwa Ibom Active
Owan Edo Active
Owe Kwara Active
Oworo Kwara Active
Pa’a Pa’awa, Afawa Bauchi Active
Pai Plateau Active
Panyam Taraba Active
Pero Bauchi Active
Pire Adamawa Active
Pkanzom Taraba Active
Poll Taraba Active
Polchi Habe Bauchi Active
Pongo Pongu Niger Active
Potopo Taraba Active
Pyapun Piapung Plateau Active
Qua Cross River Active
Rebina Rebinawa Bauchi Active
Reshe Kebbi, Niger Active
Rindire Rendre Plateau Active
Rishuwa Kaduna Active
Ron Plateau Active
Rubu Niger Active
Rukuba Plateau Active
Rumada Kaduna Active
Rumaya Kaduna Active
Sakbe Taraba Active
Sanga Bauchi Active
Sate Taraba Active
Saya Sayawa, Za’ar Bauchi, Plateau, Kaduna, Abuja, Niger, Kogi Active
Segidi Sigidawa Bauchi Active
Shanga Shangawa Sokoto Active
Shangawa Shangau Plateau Active
Shan-Shan Plateau Active
Shira Shirawa Kano Active
Shomo Taraba Active
Shuwa Adamawa, Borno Active
Sikdi Plateau Active
Siri Sirawa Bauchi Active
Srubu Surubu Kaduna Active
Sukur Adamawa Active
Sura Plateau Active
Tangale Bauchi Active
Tarok Plateau, Taraba Active
Teme Adamawa Active
Tera Terawa Bauchi, Bomo Active
Teshena Teshenawa Kano Active
Tigon Adamawa Active
Tikar Taraba Active
Tiv 2,000,000 Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa Active
Tula Bauchi Active
Tur Adamawa Active
Ufia Benue Active
Ukelle Kele, Kukelle Cross River Active
Ukwani Kwale Delta Active
Uncinda Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto Active
Uneme Ineme Edo Active
Ura Ula Niger Active
Urhobo 1,000,000 Delta Active
Utonkong Benue Active
Uyanga Cross River Active
Vemgo Adamawa Active
Verre Adamawa Active
Vommi Taraba Active
Wagga Adamawa Active
Waja Bauchi Active
Waka Taraba Active
Warja Jigawa Active
Warji Bauchi Active
Wula Adamawa Active
Wurbo Adamawa Active
Wurkun Taraba Active
Yache Cross River Active
Yagba Kwara Active
Yakurr Yako Cross River Active
Yalla Benue Active
Yandang Taraba Active
Yergan Yergum Plateau Active
Yoruba 30,000,000 Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Kogi Active
Yott Taraba Active
Yumu Niger Active
Yungur Adamawa Active
Yuom 250,000 Plateau Active
Zabara Niger Active
Zaranda Bauchi Active
Zarma Dyerma, Dyarma, Dyabarma, Zabarma, Adzerma, Djerma, Zarbarma, Zerma, Zarmawa Kebbi Active
Zayam Zeam Bauchi Active
Zul Zulawa Bauchi Active

See also
  • Niger-Congo languages
  • Ethnic groups of Nigeria

Notes
  1. "Nigeria". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
  2. Blench, Roger (2014). An Atlas Of Nigerian Languages. Oxford: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
  3. "Nigeria". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2018-05-10.
  4. Vigouroux, Cécile B.; Mufwene, Salikoko S. (2008-11-05). Globalization and Language Vitality: Perspectives from Africa. A&C Black. ISBN 978-1-4411-7073-6.
  5. worldpopulationreview.com https://worldpopulationreview.com/languages/nigeria/. Retrieved 2020-05-30. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. Adeleke, Dr Wale. "Languages of Nigeria - Regions". NaijaSky. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  7. "Niger-Congo languages « Sorosoro". Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  8. Blench, Roger (2019). An Atlas of Nigerian Languages (4th ed.). Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
  9. "Nigeria". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
  10. Blench, Roger (2014). An Atlas Of Nigerian Languages. Cambridge: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
  11. Crozier, David Henry; Blench, Roger (1992). An Index of Nigerian languages. Dallas: Summer Inst of Linguistics. ISBN 9780883126110.
  12. "Ethnologue 15 report for Nigeria". archive.ethnologue.com. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
  15. Kwache,IY (2016)Kamwe People of Northern Nigeria: Origin, History and Culture

References
  • 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. online version
  • Blench, Roger (2002) Research on Minority Languages in Nigeria in 2001. Ogmios.
  • Blench, Roger (n.d.) 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.
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