There is a language extinction crisis brewing in Nigeria. But those who should notice it are too busy chasing ephemeral things.

There are three major languages in Nigeria. While the ethnic population of those who are born to parents who speak those three languages as a mother tongue is increasing, only two of those languages are growing in terms of number of speakers.

The third one is actually dying. Like Latin, in fifty years, the tribe with that language will still be one of the majority ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, but their language will become a minority language.

Sadly, many of the younger generation of that ethnic group can actually speak one of the other three major languages of Nigerian origin, but not their native language.

Even more tragically, the educated elite amongst them see English as a yardstick for intelligence and sophistication, which has trickled down to their grassroots and is creating a disturbing phenomenon where they prefer European names over their native names.

And they are essentially blind to what is happening to their culture. Many of their youth find it amusing that other people cannot speak English, which means they are illiterate. And surprisingly, for a people who have taken to Western education like a fish takes to water, not much is done by then internally to codify and expand their grammar, lexis and structure.

Some of us in the Nigerian project are unaware that culture can produce money, but money cannot generate culture. Commercialism is not culture.

As Marcus Garvey said:

"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots."

I choose not to mention the name of this language, but UNESCO has recently and officially released a warning that the language faces a risk of extinction in twenty-five years.

Only one of the three major languages has been red-lighted by UNESCO. If you Google it, you will know the language being referred to. But no be from my mouth you go hear say emir die!

I want to help that language grow so we do not lose it. But I do not have the energy to receive insults and threats. So, let me just mind my business.

However, before I go, let me add that Yoruba elders deserve much praise in that they have been able to pass on their culture and language to the next generation to the extent that Yoruba is now one of the world's fastest-growing languages. It is being spoken actively in Brazil, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Sierra Leone and is an increasing feature in music, movies and television worldwide. Well done!

Reno Omokri

Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #BuhariTormentor. #TableShaker. Ruffler of the Feathers of Obidents. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Hodophile. Hollywood Magazine Humanitarian of the Year, 2019. Business Insider Influencer of the Year 2022.

the educated elite amongst them see English as a yardstick for intelligence and sophistication, which has trickled down to their grassroots and is creating a disturbing phenomenon where they prefer European names over their native names

Raskimonojendor:

LeoDeKing:

Okwyjesus:
He is still pained that his chance back to power was blocked.
I don't.take double mouthed people serious.

BELLECRACY politicians

Okwyjesus:
He is still pained that his chance back to power was blocked.
I don't.take double mouthed people serious.

BELLECRACY politicians

flokii:
The language Nnamdi Azikiwe wanted to force on Yorubas.. Ol0shi wanted his own language to be spoken across South just like Hausa language in North.

Yorubas better wake up.. this docile and gullible lifestyle won't do our people any good.

Raskimonojendor:
Reno is not done yet

blabulu2000:


Bellecaracy * like some of your Senator and House of representative member....shebi dem.don collect Jeep from Jagaban while you are here playing tribalism....

Omoluabi16:

LeoDeKing:

What you posted here is unrelated.


He said a tribe will soon go extinct. True or false.

Okwyjesus:


There is no jeep from your Jagaban is from Federation account.

flokii:
The language Nnamdi Azikiwe wanted to force on Yorubas.. Ol0shi wanted his own language to be spoken across South just like Hausa language in North.

Yorubas better wake up.. this docile and gullible lifestyle won't do our people any good.