Nigeria is a multi-lingual and multi-cultural country, in which different cultures and languages co-exist. Nigeria has about 250 ethnic groups and over 500 native languages, spoken amongst various groups and communities. This diversity contributes to her rich heritage. In Nigeria, language is a means of identity. This is because, certain ethnic groups are identified by the language they speak.

However, in recent times, there has been a gross decline of native languages. In fact, many Nigerian indigenous languages are facing extinction. According to United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Interactive Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, a section of the organization that tracks all world languages based on certain criteria and views expressed by language teachers and linguistics, about 29 local languages in Nigeria are endangered and three of Nigeria’s major languages; Igbo, Yoruba and Ishekiri are in danger of extinction. In 2006, UNESCO reportedly predicted the Igbo language spoken in the South-East Nigeria by over 20 million people may become extinct in the next 50 years. In 2017, Dahunsi Akinyemi, a language teacher and author of Ede Yoruba ko Gbodo Ku (Yoruba Language Must Not Die), posited that the Yoruba language could die out in 20 years or less, lamenting that many Yoruba children cannot pronounce ‘Mo je jeun’ (I want to eat) in their mother tongue. A study by Oti in 2014 points to the extinction of Ishekiri language in the next 50 years, while the Linguistic Association of Nigeria reportedly said unless proactive steps were taken, more than 50 minority languages in the country might become extinct in a few years.

In 2006, the National Council for Arts and Culture listed nine (9) languages that had become extinct: Ajawa spoken in present day Bauchi; Basa-Gumna of Niger State; Auyokawa used to be spoken in Jigawa State; Gamo-Ningi; a Kainji dialect in Bauchi State; Homa of Adamawa State; Kubi of Bauchi State; Kpati formerly spoken in Taraba State; Odut used to be spoken in the Odukpani area of Cross River State; and Teshenawa formerly spoken in Jigawa State. Roger Blench in ‘Atlas of Nigerian Languages’, 2012 listed 12 languages (including two in the NCAC’s list) as extinct. These are Ashaganna; Fali of Baissa spoken by a few individuals on the Falinga Plateau in southern Taraba State; Shirawa; Auyokawa; Kpati; Taura; Bassa-Kontagora (only 10 speakers of Bassa-Kontagora were alive in 1987); Lufu; Ajanci, a north Bauchi language; Akpondu, had no competent speakers in 1987; Buta-Ningi, an East Kainji language, had no remaining speakers in 1990; and   Holma, had only four aged speakers in 1987.

The Bonny island people of Rivers State in Nigeria originally spoke Ibani, but over the years, many now speak modified Igbo language. As a result, the Ibani language faces endangerment and eventual extinction.

Some of the reasons for this endangerment and extinction of languages are;

• The Influence of Colonization: During colonization, there was need for people to have a common language, in order to foster communication and create a cordial atmosphere for the smooth running of Nigeria. Hence English was used as a universal language for administration and governance. In all spheres of life; academics, media, judiciary, legislative houses, churches, etc. English became and is still the only means of communication amongst those who do not speak and understand the same language. However, English, though a second language has become the lingua franca of Nigeria, as Nigerians hardly speak their indigenous languages.
• Linguistic Imperialism: This is the imposition or transfer of one language on speakers of other languages. It is the notion that certain languages dominate internationally on others. In this context, linguistic imperialism is a situation where the indigenous people are gradually educated to shun their indigenous languages and adopt foreign languages because of the benefit they expect to get from them. They are made to believe that their languages cannot be used in any transaction in education, economics, science and technology, but instead a foreign language is the best. This imperialism has also taught Nigerians to look down on speakers of native languages and so people who cannot adequately communicate and write in English are seen as uneducated and illiterates despite the fact that they can read, write and communicate adequately in their indigenous languages. In fact, certain primary and secondary schools prohibit the speaking of native languages in a weak attempt to foster “unity”. A better approach would be for native languages (e.g. Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo) to be taught in schools, especially where there isn’t enough funding. However, in cases where there is enough funding, a better approach would be for all the languages being represented to the taught in those schools. Parents are apathetical towards transferring their language to their children .They prefer to communicate in English with their children as a social symbol. A comedy Drama “The Blinkards”, highlights this linguistic imperialism and its effect. In the book, the characters looked down on their language as inferior and so chose to speak English in order to boost their status, look exposed and travelled. This resulted in them having identity issues.
• Language Discrimination: Language discrimination occurs when a person is treated differently or unfairly because of her native language. In Nigeria, before, during and after the civil war, different ethnic groups consisting of different languages had animosity towards themselves and this animosity caused certain tribes and persons to be characterized and stereotyped by certain attributes and characters. For example, Igbos are perceived to be dubious and thought to love money more than their own lives. This is the same way that Yorubas are considered loud and sycophants while Hausas are thought to be uneducated and mostly religious fanatics. Hence, for fear of being looked upon and judged according to stereotypes, people adopt English as their first language and slowly get rid of their native language. At least that way, they are afforded equal opportunities as opposed to being refused an opportunity based on language.
• Fear of Unacceptance and Condemnation: It is common to find that people shy away from speaking their native languages in foreign lands, for fear of discrimination or being judged harshly. A street interview conducted by Equality Development and Research Center (EDRC), revealed how perception and stereotyping of people from a particular geographical setting, has led to language attrition. A 71 year old man currently living in the North Western part of Nigeria, when interviewed by EDRC, narrated how the Nigerian Civil war played a huge part in the decline of native languages. According to him, the enmity and rancour caused by the civil war made people feel insecure and would rather not be judged or identified with many ethnic groups. “It was safer to communicate with the English language in order not to remind the people around you that you were once an enemy,” he said. It may be argued that the war is over and the present youth were not even born then. How then are many among them, not native language speakers? The reality rests on parents who are quickly replacing their mother tongue and refusing to ensure that their children speak their native language. When the children become parents, there will really be no native language to pass down.