36 states of Nigeria and Languages Spoken

36 states of Nigeria and Languages Spoken

Among the 521 languages in Nigeria, the division is obviously enumerated below.

The classification shows the 36 states of Nigeria and the federal capital territory with the number of the language spoken in each of the states.

Languages in Nigeria Are

1. Abia state

Igbo is the only first language spoken in Abia state. All local government areas.

2. Adamawa state

There are 58 languages spoken as first languages in Adamawa State. Major languages of Adamawa State are Bacama/Bata (Bwatiye), Bura phabir, Fultfulde, Huba (Kilba), Longuda, Mumuye and Samba Daka.

Most other languages in Adamawa State are extremely small and endangered minority languages, due to the influence of Hausa and Fulfulde. Holma is reported to be dying out.

3. Anambra state

There are three languages which are spoken as first languages in Anambra state. Igala and Igbo are the major languages of Anambra State, but Igbo dominates. Aduge is a small minority language.

4. Akwa Ibom state

There are 20 languages spoken as first languages in Akwa Ibom State. The major languages are Anaang, Ibibio, and Igbo. The other languages such as Anaang, Ebughu, Efai, Ekit, Ibino, Ibuoro, etc are minority languages.

5. Bauchi State

There are 60 languages spoken as first languages in Bauchi State. Major languages spoken in Bauchi State are Bole, Fulfulde, and Hausa. Most others are very small and extremely endangered languages, due to the strong influence of Hausa. Ajawa, Gamo-Ningi, Kubi, and Mawa are extinct, Lere, Shau, and Ziriya are nearly extinct. Many others may follow.

6. Bayelsa State

There are 10 languages spoken as first languages in Bayelsa State. Most languages belong to the Ijo cluster. There are Biseni, Ekpeye, Engine, Epie, Ijo, Izon, Kubo, Ogbia, Okodia, Oruma.

7. Benue State

There are 14 languages spoken as first languages in Benue State. The major languages are Idoma, Igede, and Tiv. The other languages are the minority.

8. Borno State

There are 28 languages spoken as first languages In Borno State. Many of them are endangered due to the influence of Hausa and Kanuri. Major languages of Borno State are Shuwa Arabic, Kanuri, and Marghi. Some languages are spoken across the border in neighboring Chad and Cameroon.

9. Cross River

There are 50 languages spoken as first languages in Cross River State. The major language of Cross River State is Efik. Bokyi, Ejagham, Igede, and Yala are also fairly large. The other languages are minority languages.

10. Delta State

There are 11 languages spoken as first languages in Delta State. The major languages are Igbo, Igala, Isekiri, Izon (Ijaw) and Urhobo. The other languages are minority languages.

11. Ebonyi State

There are five languages spoken as first languages in Ebonyi State: Izi ezaa-ikwo-mgbo, Kukele, Legbo, Mbembe, Cross River, Oring (all languages are affiliated to Igbo)

12. Edo State

There are 17 languages spoken as first languages in Edo State. The major languages are Ebira, Edo, Esan, and Okpamheri.

13. Ekiti State

Only Izon is spoken as the first language in Ekiti State.

14. Enugu State

Only Igbo is spoken as the first language in Enugu State.

15. Gombe State

There are 21 languages spoken as first languages in Gombe State. Most of them are endangered due to the strong influence of Hausa and Fulfulde. Major languages are Fulfulde, Hausa, Tangale, and Waja.

16. Imo State

Igbo is the Major language.

17. Jigawa state

Four languages are spoken as first languages in Jigawa State. Bade, Hausa, Kanuri, Warji. Two more languages Auyokawa and Teshenawa were spoken in this region before, but are now extinct.

18. Kaduna State

There are 57 languages spoken as first languages in Kaduna State. Gbari and Hausa are major languages, most other languages are small and endangered minority languages, due to the influence of Hausa. Sheni is almost extinct.

19. Kano State

There are four languages spoken as the first language in Kano State. Fulfulde and Hausa are major languages, Duwai and Kaduna are small minority languages.read gains of conflict

20. Kastina State

Only two languages fulfulde and Hausa are spoken as first languages in Katsina State.

21. Kebbi state

Hausa language is the dominant language spoken here.

22. Kogi state

Igala, Ebira, and Okun languages are the main languages here.

Other smaller languages are Bassa, a small fraction of Nupe mainly in Lokoja, Gwari, Kakanda, Oworo people ogori magongo and the Eggan community under Lokoja Local Government Area.

23. Kwara state

Kwara is divided mainly between Yoruba and Fulani/Hausa languages.

24. Lagos State

Lagos has Yoruba as the most dominant language closely followed by Igbo languages. Other minority are Hausa and Edo.

25. Nasarawa State

Fulani and Hausa are the most dominant languages.

26. Niger State

Hausa is widly spoken here.

27. Ogun State

Yoruba is the only language here.

28. Ondo State

Yoruba language is the main language in this state, minory speak izon (ijaw)

29. Osun State

Yoruba is the only language spoken in this state.

30. Oyo State

Yoruba is widely spoken here.

31. Plateau state

Berom and Eggon are major languages spoken in this state. The other is Hausa.

32. Rivers State

Ikwerre (afflicted to Igbo), Igbo, Ijaw languages are the main languages, followed by Ogoni.

33. Sokoto State

Fulani and Hausa are the major languages here.

34. Taraba State

Major languages are Mumuye Jukun, Jango, Kuteb, Chamba and Mambilla. Fulani is spoken by minority.

35. Yobe State

Languges spoken here are Bade Bole, Duwai, Karekare, Maka, Ngamo, and Ngizim.Hausa language is also spoken.

36. Zamfara State

Languages spoken in Zamfara are mainly Hausa and Fulani.