Nigeria is a highly diverse country with a rich linguistic landscape. While it’s challenging to provide an exhaustive list of all 250 languages spoken in Nigeria, here are some of the major and more widely spoken languages, along with a selection of others that represent the linguistic diversity of the country:
Major Languages
- Hausa: Widely spoken in the northern regions.
- Yoruba: Predominantly spoken in the southwestern parts.
- Igbo: Common in the southeastern regions.
- Fulfulde: Spoken by the Fulani people across various regions.
- Kanuri: Mainly spoken in the northeastern part of Nigeria.
- Ibibio: Found in the southeastern region.
- Tiv: Predominantly spoken in the central region.
- Ijaw: Spoken in the Niger Delta region.
- Nupe: Common in the central region.
- Edo: Spoken in the south-central part of Nigeria.
- Efik: Predominantly spoken in the southeastern region.
Selected Other Languages
- Urhobo
- Itsekiri
- Isoko
- Ebira
- Gwari
- Jukun
- Idoma
- Igala
- Bura
- Berom
- Gbagyi
- Ebirra
- Angas
- Birom
- Bachama
- Margi
- Yoruba
- Igbo
- Gwoza
- Shuwa Arab
- Babur
- Bade
- Bole
- Bura-Pabir
- Bolewa
- Bura
- Chamba
- Chibok
- Duwai
- Fali
- Ga’anda
- Gade
- Gera
- Gombi
- Goemai
- Gude
- Gus
- Hausa
- Higi
- Holma
- Jara
- Jibu
- Jimbin
- Kamwe
- Kanakuru
- Kanembu
- Karai-Karai
- Karekare
- Kilba
- Kohumono
- Kotoko
- Kwami
- Lamang
- Longuda
- Mabaan
- Mandara
- Margi
- Marghi
- Mushere
- Mya
- Ngamo
- Ngizim
- Ngizim
- Njayi
- Pabir
- Pero
- Polchi
- Sukur
- Tangale
- Tera
- Teshenawa
- Tsagu
- Uba
- Waja
- Wandala
- Yungur
- Zul
Other Notable Languages
- Bassa
- Shuwa Arab
- Kwami
- Kagoma
- Ankwe
- Sura
- Kadara
- Igede
- Eggon
- Koma
- Bade
- Zarma
- Sobo
- Doma
- Bokkos
- Tarok
- Ninzam
- Miango
- Jere
- Kona
- Mbula
- Ziriya
- Bata
- Yiwom
- Yandang
- Kushi
- Kyode
- Koro
- Kagoro
- Jaba
- Jarawa
- Pankshin
- Sayawa
- Shandam
- Epeye
- Mumuye
- Mboi
- Erei
- Anang
- Bekwarra
- Gokana
- Bodo
- Nkum
- Yakurr
- Ogoni
- Bakassi
- Ejagham
- Yala
- Ikom
- Agatu
- Opobo
- Abayon
- Etulo
- Idere
- Ikot Abasi
- Okobo
- Obolo
- Ibino
- Eket
- Andoni
- Kaltungo
- Tula
- Tangale
- Waja
- Balewa
- Kanakuru
- Shira
- Ganjuwa
- Darazo
- Misau
- Alkaleri
- Jama’are
- Katagum
- Itas/Gadau
- Ningi
- Toro
- Warji
- Yamaltu
- Deba
- Kwami
- Kaltungo
- Bara
- Dadiya
- Gombe
- Pindiga
- Bolewa
- Tera
- Shani
- Biu
- Kwaya
- Dikwa
- Monguno
- Gubio
- Kukawa
- Mafa
- Abadam
- Kala Balge
- Marte
- Gwoza
- Hawul
- Chibok
- Damboa
- Askira
- Uba
- Konduga
- Ngala
- Mobbar
- Magumeri
- Nganzai
- Kaga
- Maiduguri
- Guzamala
- Yobe
- Niger
- Sokoto
- Kebbi
- Zamfara
- Kaduna
- Katsina
- Kano
- Jigawa
- Bauchi
- Gombe
- Adamawa
- Taraba
- Plateau
- Nassarawa
- Benue
- Kogi
- Kwara
- Ekiti
- Ondo
- Osun
- Oyo
- Ogun
- Lagos
- Edo
- Delta
- Bayelsa
- Rivers
- Akwa Ibom
- Cross River
- Enugu
- Anambra
- Ebonyi
- Imo
- Abia
Additional Considerations
While this list covers many of the languages spoken in Nigeria, it is by no means exhaustive. Nigeria’s linguistic diversity is vast, with numerous smaller languages and dialects spoken throughout the country. This complexity is part of what makes Nigeria such a rich cultural tapestry.
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