Languages in Nigeria
Language is more than a tool for conversation—it is the heartbeat of culture, the keeper of history, and the bridge that turns strangers into kin. Imagine our nation without words: no folktales shared at dusk, no marketplaces buzzing with playful bargaining, no lullabies drifting through moonlit courtyards. From the gravelly greetings of the Sahel to the lilting choruses of the rainforest, every syllable spoken across Nigeria carries a story of who we are and where we come from.
While English serves as our official lingua franca—a remnant of colonial history—Nigeria resounds with more than 525 indigenous languages, drawn from Africa’s three great language families (Afro‑Asiatic, Nilo‑Saharan, and Niger–Congo) and even a handful of mysterious tongues yet to be classified. Each one is a living archive of proverbs, songs, belief systems, and indigenous knowledge passed down through generations.
This page invites you on a journey through that extraordinary linguistic landscape. Explore how languages cluster within our six geo‑political zones, discover the unique rhythms and expressions that shape local identity, and learn why safeguarding these tongues is vital to preserving Nigeria’s cultural soul. Because when we cherish our words, we secure a richer, more connected future—for ourselves and for the generations ready to add their own verses to Nigeria’s never‑ending conversation.
| STATES | LANGUAGES |
|---|---|
| ABIA | Igbo |
| ADAMAWA | Bachama, Bali, Bare, Batta, Bena, Bille, Boga, Baba, Bura, Chamba, Chobbo, Dangsa, Dadiya, Dera, Dijim-Bwilim, Dirim, Dibanci, Dong, Doso, Fali, Fulfude, Gaa, Ga’anda, Gbaya-Northeast, Gola, Gengle, Gira, Gongla, Gorobi, Gude, Gudu, Gwaba, Hide, Higgi, Holma, Hona, Huba, Hwana, Hya, Jenjo, Kaan, Kanakuru, Kamwe, Kofa, Koma, Korna, Kpasam, Kugama, Jango, Jkumba, Kilba, Kwa, Kwak, Koma, Laka, Lala, Lak-Roba, Lamang, Libbo, Lunguda, Loo, Matakam, Mobas, Mafa, Marghi South, Mboi, Mbongno, Mbula-Bwazza, Mingang Mumuye, Muchala, Mwana,Ngoshe, Ngwaba, Njayi, Njerep, Nona, Nyong, Nzanyi, Psikye, Samba Leko, Sate, Sukur, Tambo,Tangale, Teme, The, Tso, Vemgo, Verre, Volma, Voro, Waja, Wom, Wula, Yandang, Yundur, Zizilivakan |
| AKWA IBOM | Anang, Efai, Eki, Ekit, Etebi, Ibibio, Ibino, Ibuoro, Idere, Iko, Ilue, Itu Mbon Uzo, Okobo, Uda |
| ANAMBRA | Igbo, Igala |
| BAUCHI STATE | Ajawa, Beele, Bure, Ciwogai, Dass, Daza, Deno, Diri, Duguri, Galambu, Gamo-Ningi, Fulfude, Geji, Gera, Giiwo, Gwa, Gyem, Izere, Jimi, Ju, Karekare, Kariya Kir-Balar, Kubi Kudu, Kudu Camo, Kutto, Kwaami, Labir, Lame Lenoro, Lere, Luri, Mangas, Mburku, Miya Pa’a,-Kwonci, Sanga, Saya, Shau, Shiki, Shuva-Siri, Sur, Tala Tunzuii, Vaghat-Ya-Bijin-Legeri, Warji, Zangwal, Zari, Zeem, Ziriya |
| BAYELSA | Abureni, Epie, Do Southeast, Kirike, Odual, Ogbia, Okochia, Kugbo, Izon |
| BENUE | Agatu, Akpa, Basa, Edumoga, Eloyi, Etulo, Igede, Igbo, Idoma, Iyala, Kukele, Koring, Otank, Odual, Otukpo, Otukpa, Orokam, Peere, Samba-Daka, Tite, Tiv Wanna, Surubu, Utonkon |
| BORNO | Afade, Arabic, Shuwa, Bure-Pabir, Ciback, Aghwede, Fullfude, Glauda, Guduf-Gara, Gvoko Hide, Jara, Jilbe, Kanuri, Lamang, Kurama, Mafa, Marghi South, Tadaga, Tera, Wandda, Yedina Cinen, Babur-Bura. |
| CROSS RIVER | Awgagwune, Alege, Bakpinka, Bekwarra, Betc-Bendi, Bokyi, Bumaji, Doko Uyanga, Ebughu, Efik, Efutop, Ejagham, Evant, Kevemaci, Ito, Kiong, Kohumono, Korop, Kukele, Lenyima, Leyigha, Lokaa Lubila, Mbembe, Nde-Nsele-Nta, Ndoe, Nkem-Nkum, Nkukoli, Nnam, Obanlinku, Obolo, Odut Olulomo, Ikom, Oring, Oro Otank, Putukwan, Tamajag, Ubaghara, Ubangi Ukpe-Bayobiri, Ukpet-Ehom, Umon, Usaghade, Uzekwe, Tacc, Yaka |
| DELTA | Eruwa, Isekiri, Isoko Izon, Kalabari, Ogboronuagum, Okpe, Urhobo, Vubie, Ika, Ukwani-Aboh-Ndoni |
| EDO | Edo, Emai-Luleha-Ora, Enwan, Esan, Ghotuo, Ibilo, Idesa, Igwe, Ihevbe, Ika, Ikpeshi, Ivebe-North-Okpela-Arhe, Ososo, Sasaru, Ukaan, Uneme, Uokha Yekhee |
| EKITI | Yoruba |
| EBONYI | Igbo |
| ENUGU STATE | Igbo, Igala |
| GOMBE | Awak, Bangunji, Bolewa, Boh, Burak, Cham, Dadiya, Deji Fulani, Gasi, Ggizim, Hausa, Hone, Jara, Jukun, Kamo, Kana-Kuru, Kanuri, Koma, Kare-Kare, Kushi, Lunguda, Marghi South, Ngamo Pero, Tangale, Tera, Tso, Tula, Tuk, Kamo, Waja, Wurkum |
| IMO | Igbo |
| JIGAWA | Auyokawa, Fulfude, Kanuri, Teshenawa, Kurama, Hausa |
| KADUNA | Amo, Ashe, Atsam, Ayu, Begbere-Ejar, Bina, Cinder-Regi-Tiyal, Cori, Doka, Dungu, Dza, Gbagyi, Gbiri-Niragu, Fulfude, Hyam Idon,M Idun, Iku-Gora-An-Kwa, Izere, Jere, Jiu, Kadara, Kaningkom-Nindem, Kanufi, Kataf, Kinuku, Kono, Kuturmi, Mada, Mala, Ndun, Ningye, Ninzo, Nungu, Nyeng, Piti, Rogo, Ruma, Saya, Sha, Shamang, Tumi Zhire |
| KANO | Fulfude, Gibannawa, Hausa, Kurama, Amo |
| KATSINA | Fulfude, Hausa |
| KEBBI | Acipa, Cinda-Regi, Fulfude, Tital, C’lela, Dendi, Hunsaare, Kyenga, Peshe, Tsikimba, Ut-Ma’in, Hausa, |
| KOGI | Alere, Basa, Ebira, Eggan, Gwari, Igala, Kakanda, Koto, Kupa, Oko-Eni-Osayeri, Okun, Okpamheri, Saya, Ogori |
| KWARA | Batonu, Bagobiri, Bokobaru, Fulfude, Hausa, Nupe, Yoruba |
| LAGOS | Yoruba, Awori |
| NASARAWA | Afo, Agatu, Agoi, Ake, Alago, Alumutesu, Arum, Ashe, Basa-Gumna, Buh, Duhwa, Eggo, Fulani, Gade, Gbagyi, Goemai, Gwandara, Ham, Hausa, Hasha, Jukun, Kantana, Kofyar, Koro, Kulere, Lijili, Migili, Mada, Mama, Ninzo-Nungu, Nyankpa, Saya, Yeskwa |
| NIGER | Asu, Baangi, Basa-Gumna, Basa-Gurmana, Basa-Kon Tagora, Busa, Gishinginni, C’ida, Dendi, Dibo, Fungwa Gbari, Gurmana, Gwandara, Hungworo, Hun-Saare, Ija-Zuba, Kadara, Kakanda, Kakihum, Laru, Lopa, Nepe-Nope-Tako, Pongu, Rogo, Shama-Sambuga, Tsikimba, Tsishinginni, Tsuvadi |
| OGUN | Gun, Yoruba, Egba, Ijebu, Owu, Awori, Yewa. |
| ONDO | Ahan, Akpes, Arigidi, Ayere, Ehuem, Iyayu, Uhami, Ukaan, Ukue, Yoruba, Okpamher |
| OSUN | Yoruba |
| OYO | Yoruba |
| PLATEAU | Atsam, Bada, Berom, Boghom, Bo-Rukul, Cakfem-Mushere, Casacen, Centum, Che, Como Karim, Dibo, Duguri, Etem, Fulfude, Fyaam, Fyer, Ganang, Goemai, Horom, Iguta, Irigwe, Izora, Janji, Jorto, Koenoem, Kotyar, Kulere, Lemoro, Kurama, Miship, Montol, Mundet, Mwaghavul, Ngas, Numan, Panawa, Pe, Pyapun, Ron, Sambe, Saya, Shakara, Shalkl-Zwall, Sheni, Sur, Tal, Tanjijili, Tarok, Toro, Tunzuii, Tyap, Vaghotya-Bijim-Legeri, Wapan, Wapha, Yangkam, Yiwom, Yukumben, Zumb. |
| RIVERS | Baan, Biseni, Defaka, Degema, Ekpeye, Eleme, Engenni, Gokana, Ibani, Ikwere, Izon, Kalabari, Khana, Kugbo, Obulom, Olchichi, Ogbah, Ogbogolo, Okochia, Ukwani-Aboh-Ndoni. |
| SOKOTO | Fulfude, Hausa |
| TARABA | Abon, Akum, Ambo, Anca, Batu, Bête, Bitare, Bukwen, Buru, Como Karim, Dadiya, Dong, Dzodinka, Esimbi, Ettywan, Feli Of Baissa, Fam, Fulfude, Fum, Jiba, Jibu, Jiru, Jukun-Takkum, Kam, Kapya, Kholok, Kpan, Kpati, Kulung, Kutep, Kpak, Lamja-Dengsa-Tola, Lamnso, Leeelau, Limbum, Lufu, Maghadi, Mak, Mambilla, Marghi Central, Marghi South, Mbembe, Tijan, Mingang Doso, Moo, Mvanip Ned-Gbite, Ndoola, Ndunda, Nshi, Nyam, Rangishoo-Mindanye, Somyev, Viti, Waka, Wapan, Yamba. |
| YOBE | Fulfude, Kanuri, Bade, Hausa, Ngamo, Shuwa Kanuri, Manga, Karekare, Marghi Central, Marghi South. |
| ZAMFARA | Fulfude, Hausa |
| FCT | Bassa, Gbagyi, Hausa, Gwandara, Gade |