A detailed list of languages in Nigeria – Language is said to be a style of communication unique to a particular community or country? Language serves as a means to attribute someone to a unique or particular community race, tribe, or ethnicity.

The language composition of Nigeria is a direct reflection of Africa as a whole because it comprises three major languages in African language families which are: Nilo-Saharan, Afroasiatic, and Niger-Congo. Are you wondering how many languages are in Nigeria? Which state are these languages spoken? Don’t worry, in this article, you’ll get to know how many languages are in Nigeria as well as the states they are spoken including the ones that are to Nigerians mother tongue languages. There are many countries in the world having its own peculiar language. Nigeria not exempted has many varieties of local languages that are still active and spread widely across the country. Nigeria is said to have over five hundred and thirty 530 List of languages spoken.

HOW MANY LANGUAGES IN NIGERIA AND STATE THEY ARE SPOKEN

How Many Languages In Nigeria

Without further ado, below is the 520 list of languages In Nigeria and their states spoken today in the country

Language                     States Spoken in

  1. Abanyom Cross River
  2. Abon Taraba
  3. Abua Rivers
  4. Abureni Bayelsa
  5. Achipa            Kebbi
  6. Adim Cross River
  7. Aduge Anambra
  8. Adun Cross River
  9. Afade Borno, Yobe
  10. Afo Plateau
  11. Afrike Cross River
  12. Gbo Cross River
  13. Ajawa Bauchi
  14. Akaju-Ndem Cross River
  15. Akweya-Yachi Benue
  16. Alago Plateau
  17. Amo Plateau
  18. Anaguta   Plateau
  19. Anang Akwalbom
  20. Andoni Akwalbom, Rivers
  21. Angas Bauchi, Jigawa, Plateau
  22. Ankwei Plateau
  23. Anyima Cross River
  24. Arabic Borno by Baggara Arabs
  25. Attakar Kaduna
  26. Auyoka Jigawa
  27. Awori Lagos, Ogun
  28. Ayu Kaduna
  29. Babur Adamawa, Bomo, Taraba, Yobe
  30. Bachama     Adamawa
  31. Bachere Cross River
  32. Bada Plateau
  33. Bade Yobe
  34. Bahumono Cross River
  35. Bakulung Taraba
  36. Bali Taraba
  37. Bambora                Bauchi
  38. Bambuko Taraba
  39. Banda Taraba
  40. Banka Bauchi
  41. Banso Adamawa
  42. Bara Bauchi
  43. Barke Bauchi
  44. Baruba                Niger
  45. Bashiri Plateau
  46. Basa Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Plateau
  47. Batta Adamawa
  48. Baushi Niger
  49. Baya Adamawa
  50. Bekwarra Cross River
  51. Bele (Buli, Belewa) Bauchi
  52. Betso (Bete) Taraba
  53. Bette Cross River
  54. Bilei Adamawa
  55. Bille Adamawa
  56. Bina (Binawa)            Kaduna
  57. Bini Edo
  58. Birom Plateau
  59. Bobua Taraba
  60. Boki (Nki) Cross River
  61. Bkkos Plateau
  62. Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa) Niger
  63. Bole (Bolewa) Bauchi, Yobe
  64. Botlere Adamawa
  65. Boma (Bomawa, Burmano) Bauchi
  66. Bomboro Bauchi
  67. Buduma Borno, Niger
  68. Buji Plateau
  69. Buli           Bauchi
  70. Bunu Kogi
  71. Bura Borno, Adamawa
  72. Burak Bauchi
  73. Burma (Burmawa) Plateau
  74. Buru Yobe
  75. Buta (Butawa) Bauchi
  76. Bwall                Plateau
  77. Bwatiye Adamawa
  78. Bwazza Adamawa
  79. Challa Plateau
  80. Chama (ChamawaFitilai) Bauchi
  81. Chamba Taraba
  82. Chamo Bauchi
  83. Chibok (Chibbak) Borno, Yobe
  84. Chinine Borno
  85. Chip Plateau
  86. Chokobo Plateau
  87. Chukkol Taraba
  88. Cipu Kebbi, Niger
  89. Daba Adamawa
  90. Dadiya Bauchi
  91. Daka Adamawa
  92. Dakarkari Niger, Kebbi
  93. Danda (Dandawa) Kebbi
  94. Dangsa Taraba
  95. Daza (Dere, Derewa)        Bauchi
  96. Degema Rivers
  97. Deno (Denawa) Bauchi
  98. Dghwede Borno
  99. Diba Taraba
  100. Doemak (Dumuk) Plateau
  101. Ouguri Bauchi
  102. Duka (Dukawa) Kebbi
  103. Duma (Dumawa) Bauchi
  104. Ebana (Ebani) Rivers
  105. Ebirra Kogi
  106. Ebu Edo, Kogi
  107. Efik Cross River
  108. Egbema Rivers
  109. Igede (lgede) Benue
  110. Eggon Plateau
  111. Egun (Gu) Lagos,Ogun
  112. Ejagham Cross River
  113. Ekajuk Cross River
  114. Eket       AkwaIbom
  115. Ekoi Cross River
  116. Engenni (Ngene) Rivers
  117. Epie Rivers
  118. Esan (Ishan) Edo
  119. Etche Rivers
  120. Etolu (Etilo) Benue
  121. Etsako Edo
  122. Etung Cross River
  123. Etuno Edo
  124. Palli Adamawa
  125. {{{{Pulani (Pulbe) Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Kebbi , Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe Jigawa
  126. Fyam (Fyem) Plateau
  127. Fyer(Fer) Plateau
  128. Ga’anda Adamawa
  129. Gade Niger
  130. Galambi Bauchi}}}}}
  131. Gamergu         Borno
  132. Gbagyi Niger, Kaduna
  133. Qanawuri Plateau
  134. Gavako Borno
  135. Gbedde Kogi
  136. Gengle Taraba
  137. Geji Bauchi
  138. Gera (Gere, Gerawa) Bauchi]]]]]]]]]]]]
  139. Geruma (Gerumawa) Plateau
  140. Geruma (Gerumawa) Bauchi
  141. Gingwak Bauchi
  142. Gira Adamawa}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
  143. Gizigz Adamawa
  144. Goernai          Plateau
  145. Gokana (Kana) Rivers
  146. Gombi Adamawa
  147. Gornun (Gmun) Taraba
  148. Gonia Taraba
  149. Gubi (Gubawa) Bauchi
  150. Gude Adamawa
  151. Gudu Adamawa
  152. Gure Kaduna
  153. Gurmana Niger
  154. Gururntum Bauchi
  155. Gusu Plateau
  156. Gwa (Gurawa) Adamawa
  157. Gwamba         Adamawa
  158. Gwandara Kaduna, Niger, Plateau
  159. Gwari (Gbari) Kaduna, Niger, Plateau
  160. Gwom Taraba
  161. Gwoza Borno
  162. Gyem Bauchi
  163. Hausa Borno, Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Kastina,                        Kebbi, Niger,Taraba, Sokoto
  164. Higi (Hig) Borno, Adamawa
  165. Holma Adamawa
  166. Hona Adamawa
  167. Hyam (Ham, Jaba, Jabba) Kaduna
  168. Ibeno Akwalbom
  169. Ibibio Akwalbom
  170. Ichen Adamawa
  171. Idoma Benue, Taraba
  172. Igalla Kogi
  173. Igbo Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi,Enugu, Imo,                            Rivers
  174. Ljumu Kogi
  175. Ikorn Cross River
  176. Irigwe Plateau
  177. Isoko Delta
  178. Lsekiri (Itsekiri) Delta
  179. Lyala (lyalla) Cross River
  180. Izere Plateau
  181. Lzondjo) Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo, Rivers
  182. Jahuna (Jahunawa) Taraba
  183. Jaku           Bauchi
  184. Jara (JaarJarawaJarawa-Dutse) Bauchi
  185. Jere (Jare, Jera, Jera, Jerawa) Bauchi, Plateau
  186. Jero Taraba
  187. Jibu Adamawa
  188. Jidda-Abu Plateau
  189. Jimbin (Jimbinawa) Bauchi
  190. Jirai Adamawa
  191. Jonjo (Jenjo) Taraba
  192. Jukun Bauchi, Benue,Taraba, Plateau
  193. Kaba(Kabawa) Taraba
  194. Kadara Taraba
  195. Kafanchan Kaduna
  196. Kagoro Kaduna
  197. Kaje (Kache) Kaduna
  198. Kajuru (Kajurawa) Kaduna
  199. Kaka Adamawa
  200. Kamaku (Karnukawa) Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger
  201. Kambari Kebbi, Niger
  202. Kambu Adamawa
  203. Kamo Bauchi
  204. Kanakuru (Dera) Adamawa, Borno
  205. Kanembu Borno
  206. Kanikon Kaduna
  207. Kantana                Plateau
  208. Kanuri Bomo, Kaduna, Adamawa, Kano, Niger, Jigawa,                        Plateau, Taraba, Yobe
  209. Karekare (Karaikarai) Bauchi, Yobe
  210. Karimjo Taraba
  211. Kariya               Bauchi
  212. Katab (Kataf) Kaduna
  213. Kenern (Koenoem) Plateau
  214. Kenton Taraba
  215. Kiballo (Kiwollo) Kaduna
  216. Kilba Adamawa
  217. Kirfi (Kirfawa)            Bauchi
  218. Koma Taraba
  219. Kona Taraba
  220. Koro (Kwaro) Kaduna, Niger
  221. Kubi (Kubawa) Bauchi
  222. Kudachano (Kudawa) Bauchi
  223. Kugama Taraba
  224. Kulere (Kaler) Plateau
  225. Kunini Taraba
  226. Kurama Jigawa, Kaduna, Niger, Plateau
  227. Kurdul Adamawa
  228. Kushi Bauchi
  229. Kuteb Taraba
  230. Kutin Taraba
  231. Kwalla Plateau
  232. Kwami (Kwom) Bauchi
  233. Kwanchi Taraba
  234. Kwanka (Kwankwa) Bauchi, Plateau
  235. Kwaro Plateau
  236. Kwato Plateau
  237. Kyenga (Kengawa) Sokoto
  238. Laaru (Larawa) Niger
  239. Lakka Adamawa
  240. Lala Adamawa
  241. Lama Taraba
  242. Lamja Taraba
  243. Lau Taraba
  244. Ubbo Adamawa
  245. Limono Bauchi, Plateau
  246. Lopa (Lupa, Lopawa) Niger
  247. Longuda (Lunguda) Adamawa, Bauchi
  248. Mabo Plateau
  249. Mada Kaduna, Plateau
  250. Mama Plateau
  251. Mambilla Adamawa
  252. Manchok Kaduna
  253. Mandara Borno
  254. Manga (Mangawa)  Yobe
  255. Margi (Marghi), Bomo Adamawa
  256. Matakarn Adamawa
  257. Mbembe Cross River, Enugu
  258. Mbol Adamawa
  259. Mbube Cross River
  260. Mbula Adamawa
  261. Mbum Taraba
  262. Memyang (Meryan) Plateau
  263. Miango Plateau
  264. Miligili (Migili) Plateau
  265. Miya (Miyawa) Bauchi
  266. Mobber Borno
  267. Montol Plateau
  268. Moruwa (Moro’a, Morwa) Kaduna
  269. Muchaila Adamawa
  270. Mumuye Taraba
  271. Mundang Adamawa
  272. Munga (Mupang) Plateau
  273. Mushere  Plateau
  274. Mwahavul (Mwaghavul) Plateau
  275. Ndoro Taraba
  276. Ngamo Bauchi, Yobe
  277. Ngizim Yobe
  278. Ngweshe (Ndhang.Ngoshe-Ndhang) Adamawa, Borno
  279. Ningi (Ningawa) Bauchi
  280. Ninzam (Ninzo) Kaduna, Plateau
  281. Njayi Adamawa
  282. Nkim Cross River
  283. Nkum Cross River
  284. Nokere (Nakere) Plateau
  285. Nunku               Kaduna, Plateau
  286. Nupe Niger
  287. Nyandang Taraba
  288. Ododop Cross River
  289. Ogori Kogi
  290. Okobo (Okkobor) Akwalbom
  291. Okpamheri          Edo
  292. Olulumo Cross River
  293. Oron Akwalbom
  294. Owan Edo
  295. Owe Kwara
  296. Oworo Kwara
  297. Pa’a (Pa’awaAfawa) Bauchi
  298. Pai Plateau
  299. Panyam Taraba
  300. Pero Bauchi
  301. Pire Adamawa
  302. Pkanzom Taraba
  303. Poll Taraba
  304. PolchiHabe Bauchi
  305. Pongo (Pongu) Niger
  306. Potopo Taraba
  307. Pyapun (Piapung) Plateau
  308. Qua Cross River
  309. Rebina (Rebinawa) Bauchi
  310. Reshe Kebbi, Niger
  311. Rindire (Rendre) Plateau
  312. Rishuwa Kaduna
  313. Ron Plateau
  314. Rubu Niger
  315. Rukuba Plateau
  316. Rumada Kaduna
  317. Rumaya               Kaduna
  318. Sakbe Taraba
  319. Sanga Bauchi
  320. Sate Taraba
  321. Saya (SayawaZa’ar) Bauchi
  322. Segidi (Sigidawa) Bauchi
  323. Shanga (Shangawa )         Sokoto
  324. Shangawa (Shangau) Plateau
  325. Shan-Shan Plateau
  326. Shira (Shirawa) Kano
  327. Shomo Taraba
  328. Shuwa Adamawa, Borno
  329. Sikdi Plateau
  330. Siri (Sirawa) Bauchi
  331. Srubu (Surubu) Kaduna
  332. Sukur Adamawa
  333. Sura Plateau
  334. Tangale Bauchi
  335. Tarok Plateau, Taraba
  336. Teme Adamawa
  337. Tera (Terawa) Bauchi, Bomo
  338. Teshena (Teshenawa) Kano
  339. Tigon Adamawa
  340. Tikar Taraba
  341. Tiv Benue, Plateau, Taraba , Nasarawa
  342. Tula Bauchi
  343. Tur Adamawa
  344. Ufia Benue
  345. Ukelle Cross River
  346. Ukwani (Kwale) Delta
  347. Uncinda Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto
  348. Uneme (Ineme) Edo
  349. Ura (Ula) Niger
  350. Urhobo Delta
  351. Utonkong Benue
  352. Uyanga Cross River
  353. Vemgo Adamawa
  354. Verre               Adamawa
  355. Vommi Taraba
  356. Wagga Adamawa
  357. Waja Bauchi
  358. Waka Taraba
  359. Warja (Warja) Jigawa
  360. Warji Bauchi
  361. Wula Adamawa
  362. Wurbo Adamawa
  363. Wurkun Taraba
  364. Yache Cross River
  365. Yagba Kwara
  366. Yakurr (Yako) Cross River
  367. Yalla              Benue
  368. Yandang Taraba
  369. Yergan (Yergum) Plateau
  370. Yoruba Lagis, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti,                        Kogi
  371. Yott Taraba
  372. Yumu Niger
  373. Yungur Adamawa
  374. Yuom Plateau
  375. Zabara Niger
  376. Zaranda Bauchi
  377. Zarma Kebbi
  378. Zayam (Zeam) Bauchi
  379. Zul (Zulawa) Bauchi

Note: all these languages are active and are still spoken in Nigeria.

List Of Languages In Nigeria

  • How Many Languages are Spoken In Nigeria Today

Having gone through the list above indicating how many languages in Nigeria and the states they are spoken, we dive to know how many of these Nigerian languages exist till date.

Due to the majority of its citizen having the interest to communicate in the English language, this has caused a setback and possibly the death to some languages in Nigeria. As such it led to the quest to know how many languages are currently spoken in Nigeria. Presently, the number of languages spoken Nigeria is dangling. Between 250 to 350 languages and the major dominating languages spoken are Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Urhobo, Ibibio, Edo, Fulfulde, Kanuri, Tiv, and Igala.

  • The Official Language in Nigeria

Nigeria has one official language despite the fact that there are over 530 languages spoken in Nigeria. The official language of Nigeria is English. As of 2003, English is spoken by 60 million of the approximately 170 million people in Nigeria. Communication in the English language is much more popular in most urban communities in Nigeria than it in the rural areas.

Over time the English language has been twisted and modified to what is called “Pidgin English language”. Pidgin English is a blend of English and various ethnic Nigerian languages. In fact, it has become a native language for more than five million Nigerian citizens. In addition, each of the active 250 Nigerian ethnic groups in the country can speak this language as well as add some of their own additional words.

Concussion On How Many Languages In Nigeria And State They Are Spoken

You have seen how many languages are spoken in Nigeria including the states where they are spoken as well as the official language is spoken. Outside the official language are the three major languages which the other languages are categorized under and are Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. Also, there is the Pidgin English language which is a mix of native tongue and English language; it is most preferred and convenient for most Nigerian citizens to speak. Therefore, you can look up this article anytime, should in case you are wondering how many languages in Nigeria.

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Tag: How Many Languages In Nigeria And State They Are Spoken, List Of Languages In Nigeria