About 29 of Nigerian spoken languages are critically endangered with some like Njerep and Ichen, on the brink of extinction, the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) has said.
NLN also unveiled a compendium of Alphabets and Numerals of Nigerian languages.
According to the organisation, the compendium brings together for the first time, the alphabets and numerals of some languages, showcasing the complexity and beauty of Nigeria’s linguistic landscape.
The National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of NLN, Professor Chinwe Anunobi, said this in Abuja at the 2025 International Mother Language Day with the theme: “Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day.”
Anunobi emphasised the critical role of mother languages in shaping identity, culture, and development of all nations, hence in 1999 UNESCO designated 21st of February every year as a mother language day.
She added that leveraging on that, the UN put forward 2022- 2032 as the International decade of indigenous language all aimed at preserving and promoting the language heritage of nations of the world.
She called for concerted efforts to revitalise, promote and preserve Nigeria’s languages.
The NLN boss noted that languages are an identity of the country, while also expressing the need to push forward and harder with a view to overcome the monster of losing the nation’s identity.
She said: “Nigeria with over 563 indigenous languages as shown in the map of Nigeria Languages has at least 29 of her languages critically endangered, with some, like Njerep and Ichen, on the brink of extinction.
“This loss would not only diminish our cultural heritage but also rob future generations of indigenous knowledge systems and traditional wisdom encoded in these languages.”
According to her, research shows that children learn best in their mother’s language during the early years of education, saying United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) also affirmed that providing education in a learner’s first language improves cognitive development, fosters creativity, and enhances overall academic performance.
She, however, noted that in many parts of the world, including Nigeria, there is a growing shift towards dominant languages, leading to the marginalisation of local tongues or indigenous languages thereby undermining the rich wisdom that they impart.
Prof Anunobi underscored the importance of promoting mother languages not only for cultural preservation but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4, which emphasises inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
She said: “Hence the National Library of Nigeria in the pursuit of the sixth focus and agenda of the National Librarian/CEO which is to enhance Literacy Sensitisation and Encourage Documentation of Family Heritage in Indigenous Languages has been at the forefront of efforts to safeguard, promote the use and preservation of Nigeria’s linguistic diversity.”
The National Programme Officer, UNESCO, Stephen Onyekwelu, said the organisation is supporting the National Library in implementing a pilot project to document and preserve at least three endangered languages in Taraba State.
He said they will preserve these languages through community engagement, language documentation, and the creation of digital archives of live videos to ensure the survival of these languages for future generations.
Onyekwelu emphasised the need for a national committee to be established to create a strategic plan for preserving indigenous languages.
He encouraged parents and teachers to take an active role in promoting linguistic heritage by teaching children their native languages, thereby ensuring their cultural continuity.
Various stakeholders at the event called on parents to speak their mother tongue at home, pass it down to the children as a gift of identity, while urging educators to incorporate local languages into the curriculum.
