…Adopt Measures To Preserve Indigenous Languages.
…Launches Compendium Of Alphabets, Numerical.
The Federal Government has expressed worry that no fewer than 29 indigenous languages were critically endangered, with some languages especially Njerep and Ichen, on the brink of extinction.
This came as the NLA launched the compendium of alphabets and numerical of Nigerian languages, one of the measures being adopted to preserve indigenous languages from extinction.
National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi made the disclosure at the 2025 International Day of Mother Language themed “Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day,” on Friday in Abuja.
Speaking on “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Linguistic Heritage, 25 years of Mother Languages promotion : Our Language Our Identity, Our Future,” the National Librarian regretted there was a growing shift towards dominant languages such as English, which was fast leading to the marginalization of local tongues or indigenous languages thereby undermining the rich wisdom that they impart.
She said: “Today as we celebrate this call to revitalize, promote and preserve our language our identity, we must recognize the need to push forward and harder with a view to overcome the monster of losing our identity.
“Nigeria with over 563 indigenous languages as shown in the map of Nigeria Languages has at least 29 of her languages critically endangered, with some, like Njerep and Ichen, on the brink of extinction.
“This loss would not only diminish our cultural heritage but also rob future generations of indigenous knowledge systems and traditional wisdom encoded in these languages.
Research shows that children learn best in their mother’s language during the early years of education.
“According to UNESCO, providing education in a learner’s first language improves cognitive development, fosters creativity, and enhances overall academic performance.”
Listing some of the measures aimed at safeguarding indigenous languages from extinction, Anunobi stated that the NLA recognizes the importance of promoting mother languages both for cultural preservation and for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially SDG 4 which emphasizes inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Some of the measures being adopted includes; implementation of a programme designed to increase documentation and production of literature in Indigenous Languages, production of the Nigerian Language Map, preservation of three endangered languages in Taraba State, and community literacy programmes through readership promotion campaigns.
“With support from UNESCO, we are implementing a pilot project to document and preserve at least three endangered languages in Taraba State. This initiative involves community engagement, language documentation, and the creation of digital archives to ensure the survival of these languages for future generations.
“Though we are making appreciable efforts in sensitisation, we have lots of grounds to cover if we must maintain our identity knowing fully well that the easiest way to conquer a people is take away their language. We therefore call on everybody here and indeed the entire good people of Nigeria to rise and ensure that our identity (IL) is propagated and preserved.”
The National Librarian thus called for a survey to confirm the status of indigenous languages in Nigeria, the establishment of a centre for advancement of indigenous languages in Nigeria, translation of literary works in other languages, as well as government’s support for massive production of literature in Nigeria’s Indigenous Languages for leisure, formal and informal education.”
She also urged parents to speak their mother tongue at home in order to pass it down to their children as a gift of identity, while calling on educators to incorporate local languages into the curriculum as well as encourage students to take pride in their linguistic heritage.
Echezona Okafor.
