Nigeria is a country that boasts of a multi-ethnic society. Thus
Nigerian language naturally exhibits influences from various cultures and ethnic groups. There are more than 500 language in Nigeria, which are spoken by different tribes and groups. Though English is the official language of Nigeria, yet more than 50% of the people of Nigeria can not speak in it. It is commonly used for conducting official affairs.
It is important to note that every tribe in Nigeria culture has got its own language, which they prefer following among themselves. The most popular local Nigerian languages are Yoruba, Edo, Igbo, Hausa-Fulani, Tiv, Kanuri, Ibibio. Among these the North Nigerian languages are Kanuri, Tiv and Hausa while the languages spoken in Southern part of Nigeria are Igbo, Edo, Yoruba and Ibibio.
The tribal languages are mostly used for mass communication and mass media like television and radio in Nigeria. However these languages are also taught in schools. As a matter of fact all Nigerian people speak in more than one language. Traditional literature also often employ the popular local languages in Nigeria.
The extinct
Nigerian People are Ajawa, Basa-Gumna, Holma, Auyokawa, Gamo-Ningi, Kpati, Mawa, Kubi and Teshenawa. These are the tribal languages of Nigeria which are no longer practiced even by the local people also.
