By Oluseye Ojo
In many urban centres in Nigeria, a significant cultural shift has occurred in the way people greet each other.
The traditional greetings in Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba “Ina Kwana,” “Ututu oma,” and “E kaaro” respectively have been replaced by the universal English phrase, ‘Good morning.’
This transformation is just one indication of the diminishing importance that many people have placed on indigenous languages in Nigeria.
Studies have shown that most young people, especially those in urban areas, struggle to pronounce their native names or the names of their states of origin correctly.
For the new generation in Nigeria, English has become the dominant language of communication. It has significantly replaced the rich cultural heritage embedded in each local language.
As a result, Nigerian society is becoming less multilingual, with English serving as a unifying force, being the lingua franca in the country.
A number of Nigerians born abroad have been finding it difficult to speak their native languages, because their parents did not teach them to speak those languages, let alone communicating with them in writing.
One of the concerns that has been on the front burner is that if the current new generation can neither speak, nor write in their native Nigerian languages, what would happen to the generations after them?
However, the relegation of indigenous languages in Nigeria has been a cause for concern among experts, groups and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for many years.
Babatope Babalobi, a doctorate researcher from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom, drew attention to the issue four years ago. He emphasised that no serious people or nation should prioritise a foreign language over their mother tongue.
Language as pillar of culture
In Nigeria, where over 250 ethnic groups co-exist, the threat to the survival of indigenous languages looms large. Language forms an essential part of a community’s culture, shaping its worldview, customs, and traditions. Indigenous languages carry centuries-old wisdom, oral traditions, folklore, and unique expressions of identity.
However, the encroachment of Western influences and rapid globalisation pose serious threats to their survival. The indigenous languages are more than mere means of communication; they serve as pillars of cultural identity, connecting individuals to their history and heritage.
The Ife Primary Education Research Project (1970-1978)
The Ife Primary Education Research Project, initiated by Prof Babs Fafunwa of the them University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, was a six-year project. Fafunwa later served as Minister of Education in the country.
A set of primary school pupils were taught their subjects for six years in Yoruba language and another set of primary school pupils were also taught their subjects in English for the same period of six years.
At the end of the six years, the two groups were given the same examination. But the set of students taught in Yoruba performed significantly better than those taught with English language.
Edo political controversy
The recent political controversy surrounding the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, ignited a renewed interest in the preservation of indigenous languages.
Critics argue that Ighodalo’s lack of fluency in his native language in Edo allegedly undermined his connection with the voters and their cultural heritage, though the development does not have anything to do with his administrative and managerial acumen.
Languages gone into extinction
The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) listed nine local languages that have already been considered extinct in Nigeria. These include Ajawa, Basa-Gumna, Auyokawa, Gamo-Ningi, Homa, Kubi, Kpati, Odut, and Teshenawa, as well as Ashaganna, Fali of Baissa, and Shirawa
.
Endangered languages
The UNESCO has also identified 29 indigenous languages in Nigeria as endangered, with various levels of endangerment, ranging from “definitely endangered” to “critically endangered” and “extinct.”
The Linguistic Association of Nigeria warned that without proactive measures, over 50 minority languages in the country may become extinct within a few years.
Major languages and dialects in Nigeria
Nigeria is a linguistically diverse country with approximately 250 ethnic groups, estimated to have between 350 and 550 local languages.
Ethnologue, a publication on the world’s languages, reports that there are 517 different languages spoken in Nigeria. However, many of these languages are intertwined by dialects, creating a complex linguistic landscape.
The three major languages in Nigeria are Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, predominantly spoken in the North, South-East, and South-West regions respectively.
Other major languages in Nigeria include Fulfulde, Kanuri, Efik/Ibibio, Tiv, Ijaw, Edo, Ishekiri, Urhobo, Idoma, Igala, Isoko, and Ikwere.
Each of these major languages has distinct dialects, further enriching Nigeria’s linguistic diversity.
In Yorubaland, the dialects include Oyo, Ijebu, Ekiti, Ijesha, Egba, Awori, Akoko, Ikale, Ondo, Ilaje, and Owo, among others.
In Igboland as well the dialect include Igbo Izugbe, which is the central and standard language, Ohuhu dialect in Umuahia, Isuoma in Owerri, as well as Ikwerre Izzi-Ezaa-Ikwo and Ika and Ukuanni considered as peripheral Igboland dialects. Dialects also exist in Nsukka, Orlu, Awka, Anambra, Onicha, and Udi.
Threats to the Yoruba Language
The Yoruba language, spoken by millions of people in Nigeria, faces numerous challenges. Rapid urbanisation, rural-urban migration, and the dominance of English in education and media have contributed to the marginalisation of the language.
The erosion of the nuclear family structure, where parents predominantly speak Yoruba, further compromises its transmission to younger generations.
Threats to Igbo Language
The Igbo language, also spoken by millions Nigerians, is also at risk of fading away. The increasing migration of Igbo people to urban centres, particularly for economic opportunities, has created an environment where English dominates daily interactions.
This linguistic alienation threatens the survival of Igbo, which is intricately linked to the cultural identity of the Igbo people.
Hausa Language under siege
As one of the most widely spoken indigenous languages in Nigeria, Hausa faces both internal and external threats. Rapid urbanisation, Western cultural influence, and the spread of the English language have challenged Hausa’s dominance, especially among the younger generations.
Moreover, the diverse dialects within the language further complicate its preservation efforts.
Globalisation’s impact on indigenous languages
The era of globalisation, with its technological advancements and cultural homogenisation, has accelerated the erosion of indigenous languages.
As gathered, he widespread use of English as a universal language of communication prioritises economic opportunities over the preservation of cultural heritage.
Consequently, younger generations are increasingly opting for English, relegating their mother tongues to secondary status.
A social commentator, Oluwatoyin Ifeolayomi Akogun, noted: “Theres a Congolese artiste Ive been listening to for the past 14 years now, Fally Ipupa. It is not that I understand him when he sings, but how I find his music so interesting and vibe to it, I cant even explain it.
“Id even influence a lot of people to listening to him, that artiste doesnt even care if we his English audience understands him. He switches his music from his native language to French and thats all. I was forced to be friends with some of the Congolese online just for them to help me to understand his lyrics. Indeed his native tongue has cast a spell on me.”
In the same vein, Olutope Tim Fagbemi, a social commentator also said: “Originality and Afrocentricity were the key attributes that took the literary works of Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe to the global stage. How I wish that Black Africans from all walks of life would realise that our greatness lies in “Glocalization” that is: export of our culture, talents and resources from our local spheres to the global stage.
“We need to do more of uploading Africanised contents than downloading Westernised contents. I remain a passionate advocate of this paradigm shift.”
Yahuza Danladi, also added: “Sure civilisation and westernisation has dominated our languages and way of life. Gaskia.”
Religious organisations and the dominance of English
Religious organisations are also contributing to the decline of indigenous languages. Many churches conduct their services predominantly in English, signalling a shift away from native languages.
Though this may facilitate broader reach and inclusivity, it might have further marginalised indigenous languages and weakened cultural ties.
Workable solutions towards language preservation
The aggregate opinion of experts is that revitalising indigenous languages requires concerted efforts at various levels.
According to them, governments must promote the inclusion of indigenous languages in educational curricula, and emphasise their importance as well as provide resources for language instruction.
Community-driven language programmes, cultural festivals, and media initiatives, they said, could also play a significant role in revitalizlsing indigenous languages.
Some experts were of the opinion that preserving Nigeria’s linguistic heritage is not just a linguistic endeavour but a fight to safeguard cultural diversity and identity.
The threats to Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa languages, along with other indigenous languages, they said, should be treated as urgent calls to action.
They advocated recognition of the significance of native languages and implementing strategic initiatives to ensure that the linguistic tapestry of Nigeria remains rich and vibrant for generations to come.
A public affairs analyst and social commentator, Reno Omokri, in a recent post on his Facebook wall noted that music is one of the drivers of native languages.
“You cannot sing in English better than the English, but you can sing in your own language better than anyone. Therefore, it is your sweet spot. It is the zone where you have the highest comparative advantage.
“Do not worry about being understood. This is music. It is not a movie. You do not have to be understood. You just have to be grooved. And as long as your melody and beats communicate to people’s feet, they will vibe to you as if they are from your tribe! Originality, spontaneity, and Afrocentricity are vital factors that drive the biggest Black African stars, he noted.
Thoughts of an egghead
Former Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education and current Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology in Ogun State, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, made advocacy for mother tongues to be made compulsory for all learners in Nigeria.
In an interview with Saturday Sun, Arigbabu argued that English language should not be a requirement for entering university, while proficiency in a regional language, such as Yoruba in Yorubaland, Igbo in Igboland, and Hausa in Hausaland should be mandatory.
Arigbabu stressed the importance of promoting mother tongues in education. He stated that children should be encouraged to reason and communicate in their native languages.
His words: I am one of the people advocating that mother tongues should be made compulsory for all learners. If I have my way, it should be a subject that should be made compulsory up to SSCE level, that is WAEC and NECO.
“Why should English Language be compulsory to the extent that if you don’t pass English language, you will not enter the university, whereas, if you are in Yorubaland, if you don’t pass Yoruba, you will enter the university.
“If I have my way, I will say if any child doesn’t pass Yoruba and he is in Yorubaland, Igbo in Igboland, Hausa in Hausaland; at least those three to start with, he should not be allowed to enter the university.
“Parents should desist from using English language or whatever language, apart from their mother tongues with their children at home. These children will learn English Language in school. Let them reason in their mother tongues.
“Most other countries that have made so much progress did not use any other language other than their mother tongues. Go to Japan, go to China, go to Germany and any part of Europe. So, why are we trying to be more Catholic than the Pope? That is the problem.
“A child has to struggle with understanding English to understand the mathematics they are teaching him. The children have to struggle with English Languages before they understand the physics you are teaching them. So, it is a double-challenge for the children, like Fela said: ‘Double Wahala for Dead Body’.
“So, probably teachers would not have any problem with chemistry because you are using the English language. You will first of all struggle to master English Language before they even understand the chemistry that you are teaching them.
“And it was proven in 1969. Prof Babs Fafunwa did what they called ‘Ife Project.’ The project actually exhibited the superiority of the use of mother tongues in teaching over English language.
“Some learners were taught with Yoruba language for a period of six years. The others were taught with English Language. They were exposed to the same examination at the end of the six years. The ones taught in mother tongue performed excellently well than the ones taught with English language. So, what are we talking about?
“The advice I have for policymakers is that, let us use mother tongues. We have been paying lip service to it. We can say mother tongues should be used at lower primary and later on change to English language. But I think this should be well enforced so that throughout primary school, let us teach them with mother tongues. The children should study English Language as a subject.
“So, when they ring the bell for the change of lesson, when it is English, they would do English as a subject. It is not that when it is mathematics, or social studies, English would be used to teach the learners. I think this will be better for us.
International Decade of Indigenous Languages
In a bid to ensure preservation of indigenous languages, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the period of 2022-2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL2022-2032).
This resolution is geared towards promoting and protecting Indigenous languages and at the same time improving “the lives of those who speak and sign them and will contribute to achieving the objectives set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”
The UNESCO, which is the lead agency in the project, has prepared Global Action Plan for the implementation of the plan, with involvement of multi-level stake.
The ball is now in the court of Nigeria to probably evolve deliberate policies, capable of tapping into the opportunities being presented by the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.