By Elvira Jordan
An indigenous language advocate, Josiah Chijindu Egbilika, has raised concerns over the rapid decline of Nigeria’s indigenous languages, warning that many are at risk of extinction due to neglect, poor intergenerational transmission, and changing social attitudes.
Speaking with ExceedFM on the challenges facing indigenous languages, Chidindu said the failure of families, schools, and government institutions to actively promote local languages has contributed significantly to their gradual disappearance.
According to him, many parents discourage their children from speaking their native languages at home, while English and Nigerian Pidgin dominate television, music, films, and everyday communication.
He noted that the growing influence of foreign languages, coupled with the poor implementation of policies promoting indigenous languages in schools and communities, has further weakened local languages.
“We have paid only lip service to preserving our languages. Many families no longer transfer them to their children, and some parents even forbid the use of indigenous languages in their homes. If this continues, language extinction becomes inevitable,” he said.
Chidindu also introduced what he described as a new concept from his research, which he called “ENDOGLOSSOPHOBIA.” He defined it as the fear or anxiety associated with speaking one’s indigenous language.
He further added that some people deliberately avoid speaking their native languages even when they understand them, because they feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. He attributed this fear to years of limited exposure to indigenous languages within families and communities, explaining that this phenomenon contributes to the erosion of local languages, as younger generations become increasingly disconnected from their linguistic heritage.
To preserve indigenous languages, Chidindu called for deliberate documentation through textbooks, newspapers, calendars, storybooks, collections of songs, proverbs and folktales, as well as digital platforms such as websites and online archives.
However, he maintained that the most effective method of preservation remains passing languages from one generation to another through daily conversation within families.
“Language is our identity. It can even save lives because it helps people communicate, connect and support one another in unfamiliar environments. As parents, we must intentionally teach our children to speak their indigenous languages. Spoken language is the foundation of every written language. Without speaking it, written documentation loses much of its value,” he said.
Chidindu also advocated rapid reforms in Nigeria’s educational system to strengthen indigenous language learning. Referring to a previous federal policy encouraging the use of local languages in schools, he argued that indigenous languages should be formally taught from Basic One to Basic Six in every community using the language of the host locality.
Under his proposal, pupils would study the indigenous language of their community throughout primary school before learning one of Nigeria’s major languages, such as Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba, during junior secondary school. Senior secondary students would then study another Nigerian language, while university students would be required to learn an additional indigenous language each academic year.
He said the policy would produce multilingual graduates, create employment opportunities for language teachers, translators and researchers, and encourage greater appreciation of Nigeria’s linguistic diversity.
The indigenous language advocate noted that teaching multiple Nigerian languages across the education system would also strengthen national unity and improve communication across ethnic groups.
“Language is a bridge that can promote unity, cultural understanding and even improve security,” Chidindu said.
He urged governments, educational institutions, parents and communities to work together to preserve Nigeria’s more than 600 indigenous languages, warning that without deliberate action, many could disappear within future generations.
