Nigerian Pidgin, popularly known as Naija, is growing rapidly across the world and is now ranked among the most widely spoken languages globally.
This was revealed by Professor Christine Iyetunde Ofulue, a linguist at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), during the institution’s 35th inaugural lecture in Abuja. Her lecture was titled “Reclaiming Marginalised Voices: Intersections of Diversity and Educational Spaces.”
According to her, Nigerian Pidgin has transformed from a colonial-era trade language into a powerful tool of communication and identity.
Nigerian Pidgin on the Global Stage
Professor Ofulue explained that out of the world’s 76 pidgins and creoles, Nigerian Pidgin is the biggest, spoken by between 100 to 120 million people. This makes it the 14th most spoken language in the world.
She noted that some common Nigerian Pidgin words have already made it into the Oxford English Dictionary, including:
- Eba
- Japa
- Abi
- Yahoo boy
- Suya
- Area boy
- Jand
- Danfo
- Okada
“Nigerian Pidgin is not just about survival,” she said. “It has become a symbol of urban identity, national unity, and creative expression.”
Nigeria’s Rich Linguistic Diversity
Ofulue also reminded Nigerians that the country is Africa’s most linguistically diverse nation, with about 540 different languages spoken across three major language families:
- Afro-Asiatic
- Nilo-Saharan
- Niger-Congo
With a population of over 223 million people, she said, multilingualism is a natural part of everyday life in Nigeria.
“While English is the official language used in schools and government, many minority languages are dying out due to neglect, lack of policy support, and reduced use by younger generations,” she warned.
Protecting Local Languages
The professor stressed that reclaiming and preserving marginalised voices requires curriculum reforms, inclusive teaching methods, and technology-driven learning systems. She recommended:
- Creating glossaries and standardised terms for digital, technical, and educational use.
- Producing multimedia content (videos, audio, animations) in local languages.
- Digitising indigenous knowledge systems for wider access.
- Encouraging comparative African research to strengthen language development.
A Symbol of Resilience
For Ofulue, Nigerian Pidgin represents resilience and reclamation in a society where many languages are being sidelined.
She said: “The journey of Nigerian Pidgin is not just a story of marginalisation, but also of resilience and reclamation.”
NOUN Vice-Chancellor Reacts in Pidgin
The lecture ended on a lighthearted note as Professor Olufemi Peters, NOUN Vice-Chancellor, thanked Ofulue in Pidgin English.
“Thank you for reminding us how important our pidgin is,” he said in Pidgin, drawing loud cheers and applause from the audience.