Many people get this wrong, and it leaves much to ponder. Nigeria being a multi-lingual state is often stuck between what a first language is and what it is not. I have seen many people argued that English is their first language, while their native language is regarded as second.

Please note that both First Language and Mother Tongue can be used interchangeably. Mother tongue and first language would refer to the language acquired as a child and which you are most fluent in. In a State that is as complex as Nigeria, would it be right to consider your ethnic language a second language even when you have a full grasp of it? I have seen Nigerians argue that their ethnic language is their second while English remains the first, though I am not too comfortable with this.

I want us to know that it is also possible to acquire more than one language as MT or FL.

It is hard to think really considering that these languages are learnt side by side and often acquired at the same time. Myself for instance, I speak both English and Yoruba and I can say I am fluent in both with English having a slight edge. Both are acquired same time through several means but if I were asked to state my FL, I would state both because of my level of proficiency in both.

Nairalanders, let's trash this out, would you consider your native/ethnic language your first language or second? Remember that English remains one of the official languages in Nigeria and also a unifying language.

Igbo is my first language because dt was d first language i heard as a child...nne kedu? And i's raised with it. I learnt english in school.

English!

I was brought up with it.

I speak and write English with ease.

Patois.
Born to a mother who speaks it.
I speak it fluently.
I write it fluently.
I lurv it long time!!

omodapson: ..Please note that both First Language and Mother Tongue can be used interchangeably. Mother tongue and first language would refer to the language acquired as a child and which you are most fluent in..

in that case

patois is my mother tongue.
and english is my first language.

IDOMA is my first preferred language, I even speak it fluently than english, I can as well communicate with it in writting.