Nigeria’s indigenous languages to face extinction within 70 years – Linguists

Linguists estimate that if current non-transmission trends persist, many of Nigeria’s more than 500 indigenous languages could face severe endangerment or extinction within 50 to 70 years.
Children, parents and experts said urban lifestyles had reduced children’s exposure to indigenous languages and weakened intergenerational transmission.
Maimuna Egigogo, 12, a resident of Kubwa, said that she understood Nupe but could not speak it because her parents communicated with her mainly in English.
She said she frequently interacted with her grandparents, aunt and uncle before moving from Bida, Niger, to Abuja three years ago.
“But since I came to Abuja, everyone around me, including my...