The Melody of Many Tongues

Celebrate the diversity of Nigerian languages — a tapestry woven with words, proverbs, and poetry.

Major Languages Highlight

Nigeria is home to over 500 languages, but a few have become cultural pillars across the regions. Explore the rich sounds and stories behind them.

IGBO

  • IGBO

  • IGBO

IGBO

  • IGBO

  • IGBO

IGBO

  • IGBO

  • IGBO

YORUBA

  • YORUBA

  • YORUBA

YORUBA

  • YORUBA

  • YORUBA

YORUBA

  • YORUBA

  • YORUBA

HAUSA

  • HAUSA

  • HAUSA

HAUSA

  • HAUSA

  • HAUSA

HAUSA

  • HAUSA

  • HAUSA

FULANI

  • FULANI

  • FULANI

FULANI

  • FULANI

  • FULANI

FULANI

  • FULANI

  • FULANI

IBIBO

  • IBIBO

  • IBIBO

IBIBO

  • IBIBO

  • IBIBO

IBIBO

  • IBIBO

  • IBIBO

KANURI

  • KANURI

  • KANURI

KANURI

  • KANURI

  • KANURI

KANURI

  • KANURI

  • KANURI

TIV

  • TIV

  • TIV

TIV

  • TIV

  • TIV

TIV

  • TIV

  • TIV

and may more…..

Language Roots Across Nigeria

A look at where major and minor languages are predominantly spoken, highlighting linguistic diversity across regions

  • North

    Major Languages:

    Hausa, Fulfulde, Kanuri

    Minor Languages:

    Gwari, Nupe, Tiv, Bura

    Fun Fact:

    The Hausa language is one of the most spoken African languages in the world, and the North hosts Nigeria's oldest city — Kano, founded over a thousand years ago.

  • South

    Major Languages:

    Yoruba, Itsekiri, Urhobo

    Minor Languages:

    Ijaw, Isoko, Edo, Ibibio

    Fun Fact:

    Southern Nigeria boasts the bustling city of Lagos, Africa’s largest city by population and a melting pot of languages and cultures.

  • East

    Major Languages:

    Igbo

    Minor Languages:

    Ikwerre, Anioma, Ohafia, Nsukka dialects

    Fun Fact:

    The Hausa language is one of the most spoken African languages in the world, and the North hosts Nigeria's oldest city — Kano, founded over a thousand years ago.

  • West

    Major Languages:

    Yoruba

    Minor Languages:

    Egba, Ijebu, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo

    Fun Fact:

    The West is rich in traditional Yoruba kingdoms, and Yoruba mythology heavily influences religions and cultures across the Americas.

Endangered Languages

Many of Nigeria's indigenous langaugaes are at risk of disappearing, along with the unique cultures they carry

  • Ijegun

    A nearly extinct language spoken in small communities around Lagos. Its speakers have largely shifted to Yoruba due to urban influence.

  • Auyokawa

    Formerly spoken in Jigawa State, it is now considered extinct. It was a Chadic language with very limited documentation.

  • Mvanip

    Spoken by a small group in Taraba State. The language is gradually disappearing as younger generations adopt Hausa or English.

  • Tita

    Used by a few hundred people in Plateau State. Intermarriage and schooling in dominant languages threaten its survival.

  • Baushi

    Found in Bauchi State, this language has very few fluent speakers remaining and lacks written records or preservation efforts.

  • Jili (Lijili)

    Once spoken in Nasarawa State, it's now critically endangered with only elderly speakers left. Language shift to Hausa has accelerated its decline.

  • Bete

    Spoken in Taraba State. Its speaker base is so small that it’s categorized as critically endangered by linguists.

  • Miya

    A West Chadic language in Bauchi State. While still spoken, it is vulnerable as younger generations increasingly prefer Hausa.

KULTUR

Celebrating the rhythm, voice & soul of Naija.

KULTUR is a cultural platform powered by KULTUR Media Collective. Curated to spotlight the heartbeats of Nigeria’s diverse heritage across fashion, music, language, food, and art.

Through storytelling, visual expression, and lived experience, KULTUR exists to archive and amplify the rhythms, voices, and traditions of Nigeria — past, present, and future.

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