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15 Most Widely Spoken Nigerian Languages. [A Thread]
1. Hausa
This is a branch of the Afroasiatic language famith the largest number of speakers, spoken as a first language by about 35 million people from Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Gombe.
![15 Most Widely Spoken Nigerian Languages. [A Thread]1. HausaThis is a branch of the Afroasiatic language famith the largest number of speakers, spoken as a first language by about 35 million people from Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Gombe.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EfST7qJXYAAUDgD.jpg "15 Most Widely Spoken Nigerian Languages. [A Thread]1. HausaThis is a branch of the Afroasiatic language famith the largest number of speakers, spoken as a first language by about 35 million people from Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Gombe.")
1. Hausa
This is a branch of the Afroasiatic language famith the largest number of speakers, spoken as a first language by about 35 million people from Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Gombe.
2. Igbo
This is the native language spoken by about 24 million people from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. It is also spoken in some parts of Akwa Ibom (Ika LGA), Delta (Oshimili, Aniocha, and Ndokwa LGAs) and Rivers States (Ikwerre, Bonny, and Ahoada LGAs).
This is the native language spoken by about 24 million people from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. It is also spoken in some parts of Akwa Ibom (Ika LGA), Delta (Oshimili, Aniocha, and Ndokwa LGAs) and Rivers States (Ikwerre, Bonny, and Ahoada LGAs).
3. Yoruba
Yoruba people, the language also has various dialects which can be categorized into 3 namely the North-West Yoruba Yoruba speakers from Lagos,Ibadan, Oyo, Abeokuta and Osun, Central Yoruba Ife, Igbomina, Ekiti, Akure and South-East Yoruba Ondo, Owo and parts of Ijebu.
Yoruba people, the language also has various dialects which can be categorized into 3 namely the North-West Yoruba Yoruba speakers from Lagos,Ibadan, Oyo, Abeokuta and Osun, Central Yoruba Ife, Igbomina, Ekiti, Akure and South-East Yoruba Ondo, Owo and parts of Ijebu.
4. Fulfulde
The Fula or Fula, Fulani, Fulatanchi is a language of West Africa, spoken by the Fula people also known as the Fulbe or Peuls from Senegal to Cameroon and Sudan. It belongs to the Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
The Fula or Fula, Fulani, Fulatanchi is a language of West Africa, spoken by the Fula people also known as the Fulbe or Peuls from Senegal to Cameroon and Sudan. It belongs to the Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo language family.
5. Kanuri
This is a language spoken by over 3 million in Nigerians, about 500,000 Nigerien, 100,000 Chadians, and 60,000 Cameroonians. Kanuri is unrelated to Hausa which is the most commonly spoken language in northern Nigeria.
This is a language spoken by over 3 million in Nigerians, about 500,000 Nigerien, 100,000 Chadians, and 60,000 Cameroonians. Kanuri is unrelated to Hausa which is the most commonly spoken language in northern Nigeria.
6. Ijaw
The Ijaw language consists of nine closely related Niger-Congo languages, all of which belong to the Ijoid branch of the Niger-Congo tree. Approximately 2 million people speak Izon which belongs to the Eastern Ijo division of the language.
The Ijaw language consists of nine closely related Niger-Congo languages, all of which belong to the Ijoid branch of the Niger-Congo tree. Approximately 2 million people speak Izon which belongs to the Eastern Ijo division of the language.
7. Urhobo
This is one of the Edoid languages that is largely spoken by the major ethnic group in Delta state of southern Nigeria. The Urhobo language has from time immemorial, suffered dialect variations following the breakout of some of its clans and kingdoms.
This is one of the Edoid languages that is largely spoken by the major ethnic group in Delta state of southern Nigeria. The Urhobo language has from time immemorial, suffered dialect variations following the breakout of some of its clans and kingdoms.
8. Efik
This is the first African language in Print in Africa beginning in 1862. Efik is the native language of the Efik people of Nigeria, where it is a national language. It is the official language of Cross River State.
This is the first African language in Print in Africa beginning in 1862. Efik is the native language of the Efik people of Nigeria, where it is a national language. It is the official language of Cross River State.
9. Edo
The Edo language is a Volta–Niger language spoken primarily in Edo State. It is the primary language of the Edo people of Igodomigodo. A language is mainly spoken by at least 1 million people in Edo State.
The Edo language is a Volta–Niger language spoken primarily in Edo State. It is the primary language of the Edo people of Igodomigodo. A language is mainly spoken by at least 1 million people in Edo State.
10. Tiv
This is part of the Southern Bantoid Tivoid family, a branch of Benue–Congo and ultimately of the Niger-Congo family.spoken by over 2 million people in Nigeria concentrated mainly in Benue State (Makurdi, Gwer, Gboko Kwande, Vandeikya, and Katsina-Ala LGAs).
This is part of the Southern Bantoid Tivoid family, a branch of Benue–Congo and ultimately of the Niger-Congo family.spoken by over 2 million people in Nigeria concentrated mainly in Benue State (Makurdi, Gwer, Gboko Kwande, Vandeikya, and Katsina-Ala LGAs).
11. Ibibio
The Ibibio language is said to probably be the most ancient of all the semi Bantu languages. This language which was once regarded a dialect of what is called the Efik-Ibibio language has developed and spread quite much to have its own sub-dialects and variations.
The Ibibio language is said to probably be the most ancient of all the semi Bantu languages. This language which was once regarded a dialect of what is called the Efik-Ibibio language has developed and spread quite much to have its own sub-dialects and variations.
12. Igala
It’s really interesting to know how the Igala speaking group of Kogi state boast of a population size of more than two million. The Igala language belongs to the Yoruboid branch of the Defoid languages (a constituent of the Benue Congo languages).
It’s really interesting to know how the Igala speaking group of Kogi state boast of a population size of more than two million. The Igala language belongs to the Yoruboid branch of the Defoid languages (a constituent of the Benue Congo languages).
13. Ebira
Ebira language from the Nupoid group (also called Niger-Kaduna) of languages including Nupe, Gwari, and Gade. It also said to have about one million speakers all over Nigeria and they are spoken in the area north and west of the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers
Ebira language from the Nupoid group (also called Niger-Kaduna) of languages including Nupe, Gwari, and Gade. It also said to have about one million speakers all over Nigeria and they are spoken in the area north and west of the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers
14. Itsekiri
The Itsekiri is a branch of the Yoruboid family language of the Benue-Congo branch of Niger-Congo languages. It is related to the south-eastern and Ilaje Yoruba dialects and to the Igala. The language has been under the influence of the Bini, Portuguese and English.
The Itsekiri is a branch of the Yoruboid family language of the Benue-Congo branch of Niger-Congo languages. It is related to the south-eastern and Ilaje Yoruba dialects and to the Igala. The language has been under the influence of the Bini, Portuguese and English.
15. Nupe
Linguists suggest that Nupe language belongs to a branch (Nupoid) of the Benue- Congo group of languages. Other languages in the group are Igbira (Ebira), Gbagyi (Gbari), Gade, and Kakanda.
Linguists suggest that Nupe language belongs to a branch (Nupoid) of the Benue- Congo group of languages. Other languages in the group are Igbira (Ebira), Gbagyi (Gbari), Gade, and Kakanda.
