Languages in Nigeria & Locations Where They Are Spoken

Nigeria is one of the countries in the world that has a very high number of indigenous languages.

Although the English language has been adopted as the official language in Nigeria, these other languages are still very much alive in different regions and states of the country.

Listed below are the indigenous languages in Nigeria and the locations where they are spoken.

List of All Nigerian Languages

1. The Abayon Language – is spoken by the Cross River indigenes.

2. The Abua (Odual) Language is spoken by the people of Rivers

3. The Achipa (Achipawa) Language is spoken by the Kebbi people.

4. The Adim Language is used by the Cross Rivers indigenes.

5. Adun Language is widely used in the conversation of the Cross River people.

6. Affade Language is the native tongue of the Yobe people.

7. Afizere Language is used in communicating among the Plateau people.

8. Afo Language is another language spoken by the plateau indigenes.

9. Agbo Language belongs to the cross-river people.

10. Akajuk Language is commonly spoken by the cross River people.

11. Anyima language belongs to
the Cross River people.

12. Arago language is commonly used by the Plateau people.

13. Akweya Yachi Language is mostly spoken by Benue people

14. Amo is a language spoken by plateau people.

15. Anaguta is also a language spoken by plateau indigenes.

16. Anang: This is a language spoken by Akwa Ibom indigenes.

17. Andoni: This language is spoken by both Rivers and Akwa Ibom indigenes.

18. Angas: This language is used communication in three states which are: Jigawa, Bauchi and Plateau.

19. Ankwei: This is the language of the people of Plateau state.

20. The Attakar (ataka) Language belongs to the people of Kaduna state.

The History of Nigeria and Her Journey to Independence

21. Auyoka (Auyokawa) language is spoken in Jigawa state.

22. Awori is a language spoken by indigenes of Lagos and Ogun State.

23. Ayu is a language spoken by the indigenes of Kaduna State.

24. Babur is a language used by the indigenes of Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe and Borno State.

25. Bachama belongs to the indigenes of Adamawa State.

26. Bachere is spoken by the Cross River people.

27. Bada is a language spoken by the Plateau people.

28. Bade language belongs to the people of Yobe state.

29. Bahumono language is a native language of Cross River indigenes.

30. Bakulung language belongs to the people of Taraba State.

31. Bali language is another local language spoken by the Taraba people.

32. Bambora (Bambarawa) language is mostly used by people of Bauchi state.

33. Bambuko language is spoken in Taraba State.

34. Banda (Bandawa) language is also spoken in Taraba State.

35. Banka (Bankalawa)is a language spoken by Bauchi indigenes.

36. Banso (Panso) language is used in Adamawa.

37. Bara (Barawa) language is used in Bauchi

38. Barke language is used in Bauchi

39. Buba (Barba) language is used in Niger

40. Bashiri (Bashirawa) language is used in Plateau

41 Bassa language is used in Kaduna, Niger, Plateau Kogi.

42. Batta language is used in Adamawa

43. Baushi language is used in Niger

44. Baya is used in Adamawa

45. Bekwarra is used in Cross River

46. Bele (Buli, Belewa) is spoken in Bauchi

47. Betso (Bete) is a language used in Taraba

48. Bette is used in Cross River

49. Bilei is used in Adamawa

50. Bille is used in Adamawa

51. Bina (Binawa) is used in Kaduna

52. Bini is used in Edo

53. Birom is used in Plateau
Bobua –Taraba
54. Boki (Nki) is spoken in Cross River

55. Bkkos is spoken in Plateau

56. Boko (Bussawa, Bargawa) is spoken in Niger

57. Bole (Bolewa) is spoken in Bauchi and Yobe

58. Botlere is spoken in -Adamawa

59.Boma (Bomawa, Burmano) is spoken in Bauchi

60. Bomboro is used in Bauchi

61. Buduma is a language used in Borno and Niger

62. Buji language is used in Plateau

63. Buli language is used in -Bauchi

64. Bunu language is used in Kogi

65. Bura language is used in Adamawa

66. Burak languages used in Bauchi

67 Burma (Burmawa) language is spoken in -Plateau

68. Buru language is used in Yobe

69. Buta (Butawa) language is used in Bauchi

70. Bwall language is spoken in Plateau

71. Bwatiye language is spoken in Adamawa

72. Bwazza is spoken in Adamawa

73. Challa language is used in Plateau

74. Chama (Chamawa Fitilai) language is spoken in Bauchi

75. Chamba language is used in Taraba

76. Chamo language is used in Bauchi

77. Chibok (Chibbak) language is spoken in Yobe

78. Chinine language is used in Borno

79. Chip language is used in Plateau

80. Chokobo is used in Plateau

81. Chukkol is used in Taraba

82. Daba language is used in Adamawa

83. Dadiya language is spoken in Bauchi

84. Daka language is spoken in Adamawa

85. Dakarkari language is used in Niger and Kebbi

86. Danda (Dandawa) language is used in Kebbi

87. Dangsa language is used in Taraba

88. Daza (Dere, Derewa) language is used in Bauchi

89. Degema language is used in Rivers

90. Deno (Denawa) is used in Bauchi

91. Dghwede language is used in Borno

92. Diba language is used in Taraba

93. Doemak (Dumuk) language is used in Plateau

94. Ouguri language is used in Bauchi

95. Duka (Dukawa) language is used in Kebbi

96. Duma (Dumawa) language is used in Bauchi

97. Ebana (Ebani) language is spoken in Rivers

98. Ebirra (lgbirra) language belongs to Edo, Kogi, Ondo

99. Ebu language belongs to Edo, Kogi

100. Efik language is spoken in Cross River

101. Egbema language belongs to Rivers

102. Egede (lgedde) language belongs to Benue

103. Eggon language belongs to Plateau

104. Egun (Gu) is used in -Lagos,Ogun

105.Ejagham is spoken in Cross River

106. Ekajuk is spoken in Cross River

107. Eket language is used in Akwa Ibom

108. Ekoi language is used in Cross River

109. Engenni (Ngene) language is used in Rivers

110. Epie is used in Rivers

111 Esan (Ishan) language is spoken in Edo

112. Etche language is spoken in Rivers

113. Etolu (Etilo) language is spoken in Benue

114. Etsako language is spoken in Edo

115. Etung language is used in -Cross River

116. Etuno language is used in –Edo

117. Palli language is used in Adamawa

118. Pulani (Pulbe) language is used in the following states: -Bauchi, jigawa, Kano, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Yobe,Kebbi , Niger, Sokoto and Taraba.

119. Fyam (Fyem) is spoken in Plateau

120. Ga’anda language is used in Adamawa

121. Gade language is used in –Niger

122. Galambi language is used in -Bauchi

123. Gamergu-Mulgwa language is used in -Borno

124. Qanawuri language is used in –Plateau

125. Gavako language is used in –Borno

126. Gbedde language is used in -Kogi

127. Gengle language is used in –Taraba

128. Geji language is used in Bauchi

129. Gera (Gere, Gerawa) is spoken in –Bauchi

130. Geruma (Gerumawa) is used in -Plateau

131. Geruma (Gerumawa) is used in –Bauchi

132. Gingwak is used in Bauchi

133. Gira is used in Adamawa

134. Gizigz is spoken in –Adamawa

135. Goernai is spoken in Plateau

136. Gokana (Kana) is spoken in Rivers
137. Gombi is spoken in –Adamawa

138. Gornun (Gmun) is spoken in Taraba
139. Gonia is spoken in -Taraba

140. Gubi (Gubawa) is spoken in Bauchi

141 Gude is spoken in Adamawa

142. Gudu is spoken in –Adamawa

143. Gure is spoken in kaduna

144. Gurmana is spoken in Niger

145. Gururntum is spoken in Bauchi

146. Gusu is spoken in Plateau

147. Gwa (Gurawa) is spoken in Adamawa

148. Gwamba is spoken in Adamawa

149.Gwandara is spoken in these states: Kaduna, Niger and Plateau

150. Gwari (Gbari) is spoken in these states: Kaduna, Niger, Abuja and Plateau

151. Gwom is spoken in Taraba

152. Gwoza (Waha) is spoken in –Borno

153. Gyem is spoken in Bauchi

154. Hausa is used in these states: Kano, Zamfara, Borno, Sokoto, Kaduna,Bauchi, Kastina, Kebbi, Niger,Taraba, Jigawa and Borno.

155. Higi (Hig)spoken in -Borno and Adamawa states.

156. Holma spoken in -Adamawa

157. Hona spoken in Adamawa

158. Ibeno spoken in Akwa lbom

159. Ibibio spoken in Akwa lbom

160. Ichen spoken in –Adamawa

161. Idoma spoken in Benue and Taraba

162. Igalla spoken in -Kogi

163. lgbo spoken in Delta, -Abia, Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers

164. ljumu spoken in Kogi

165. Ikom spoken in Cross River

166. Ikwerre spike in Rivers

167. Irigwe spoken in Plateau

168. Isoko language is used by Delta indigenes.

169. lsekiri (Itsekiri) language belongs to Delta

170. lyala (lyalla) is used in Cross River
171. lzondjo is used in -Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Ondo.

172. Java is used in Kaduna

173. Jahuna (Jahunawa) is used in –Taraba

174. Jaku used in Bauchi

175. Jara (Jarawa-Dutse) used in Bauchi

176. Jere (Jera, Jerawa) used in Bauchi and Plateau states.

177. Jero used in Taraba

178. Jibu language used in –Adamawa

179. Jidda-Abu used in Plateau

180. Jimbin (Jimbinawa) used in Bauchi

181 Jirai used in Adamawa

182. Jonjo (Jenjo): language used in Taraba State.

183. Jukun: language used in -Bauchi, Taraba Benue and Plateau

184. Kaba(Kabawa) is used in Taraba

185. Kadara is used in -Taraba

186. Kafanchan is used in Kaduna

187. Kagoro is used in -Kaduna

188. Kaje (Kache) is spoken in Kaduna

189. Kajuru (Kajurawa) is used in –Kaduna

190. Kaka is used in Adamawa

191. Kamaku (Karnukawa) is spoken in -Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger

192. Kambari language is spoken in -Kebbi and Niger

193. Kambu language belongs to Adamawa indigenes

194. Kamo is used by –Bauchi indigenes.

195. Kanakuru (Dera) is used in both Adamawa and Borno

196. Kanembu is used in Borno

197 Kanikon is used in Kaduna

198. Kantana is used in Plateau

199. Kanuri is used in these states: Borno, Adamawa, kaduna plateau Yobe Jigawa, kano, Taraba and Niger.

200. Karekare (Karaikarai) is used in Bauchi and Yobe

201. Karimjo is used in -Taraba

202. Kariya is used in Bauchi

203. Katab (Kataf) is used in –Kaduna

204. Kenern (Koenoem) is used in –Plateau

205. Kenton is used in Taraba

206. Kiballo (Kiwollo) is used in Kaduna

207. Kilba is used in Adamawa

208. Kirfi (Kirfawa) is used in Bauchi
209. Koma is used in Taraba

210. Kona is used in Taraba

211. Koro (Kwaro) is used in -Kaduna, Niger

212 Kubi (Kubawa) is used in Bauchi

213. Kudachano (Kudawa) is used in -Bauchi

214. Kugama is used in Taraba

215. Kulere (Kaler) is used in Plateau

216. Kunini is used in Taraba

217. Kurama is used in Jigawa, Kaduna, Niger and Plateau states.

218. Kurdul is used in Adamawa

219. Kushi is used in Bauchi

220. Kuteb is used in Taraba

221. Kutin is used in Taraba

222. Kwalla is used in Plateau

223. Kwami (Kwom) is used in –Bauchi

224. Kwanchi is used in –Taraba

225. Kwanka (Kwankwa) is used in Bauchi and Plateau

226. Kwaro is used in Plateau

227. Kwato is used in Plateau

228. Kyenga (Kengawa) is used in -Sokoto

229. Laaru (Larawa) language is spoken in -Niger

230. Lakka language is used in Adamawa

231. Lala is used in Adamawa

232. Lama is used in Taraba

233. Lau is used in –Taraba

234. Ubbo is used in Adamawa

235. Limono is used in Bauchi and Plateau

236. Lopa (Lupa, Lopawa)is used in Niger

237. Longuda (Lunguda) is used in Bauchi and Adamawa.

238. Mabo is used inPlateau

239. Mada is used in Kaduna and Plateau

240. Mama is spoken in Plateau

241. Mambilla is used in Adamawa

242. Manchok is used in Kaduna

243. Mandara (Wandala) is used in Borno

244 Manga (Mangawa) is used in -Yobe

245. Margi (Marghi) is used in Adamawa and Borno

246. Matakarn is used in Adamawa

247. Mbembe is used in Cross River and Enugu

248. Mbol is used in Adamawa

249.is used in -Cross River

250. Mbula is used in Adamawa

251. Mbum is used in Taraba

252. Memyang (Meryan) is used in Plateau

253. Miango is used in Plateau

254. Miligili (Migili) is used in -Plateau

255. Miya (Miyawa) is used in Bauchi

256. Mobber is used in Borno

257. Montol is used in Plateau

258. Moruwa (Moro’a, Morwa) is used in Kaduna

259. Muchaila is used in Adamawa

260. Mumuye is used in Taraba

261. Mundang is used in Adamawa

262. Munga (Mupang) is used in –Plateau
263. Mushere is used in -Plateau

264. Mwahavul (Mwaghavul) is used in Plateau

265. Ndoro is used in Taraba

266. Ngamo is used in Bauchi and Yobe
267. Ngizim is used in -Yobe

268. Ngweshe (Ndhang.Ngoshe) is used in -Adamawa, and Borno

269. Ningi (Ningawa) is used in –Bauchi

270. Ninzam (Ninzo) is used in Kaduna, Plateau

271. Njayi is used in Adamawa

272. Nkim is used in -Cross River

273. Nkum is used in Cross River

274. Nokere (Nakere) is used in–Plateau

275. Nunku is used in both -Kaduna and Plateau

276. Nupe is spoken in Niger

277. Nyandang is used in Taraba

278. Ododop is used in Cross River

279. Ogoni is used in Rivers

280. Ogori is used in–Kwara

281. Okobo (Okkobor) is used in -Akwa lbom

282. Okpamheri is used in –Edo

283. Olulumo is used in Cross River

284. Oron is used in -Akwa lbom

285. Owan is used in Edo

286. Owe is used in Kwara

287. Oworo is used in Kwara

288. Pa’a (Pa’awa Afawa) is used in –Bauchi

289. Pai is used in Plateau

290. Panyam is used in Taraba

291. Pero is used in –Bauchi

292. Pire is used in –Adamawa

293. Pkanzom is used in Taraba

294. Polchi Habe -Bauchi

295. Pongo (Pongu) is used in –Niger

296. Potopo is used in Taraba

297. Pyapun (Piapung) is used in-Plateau

298. Qua is used in Cross River

299. Rebina (Rebinawa) is used i. –Bauchi
300. Reshe is used in Kebbi and Niger

301. Rindire (Rendre) is used in –Plateau

302. Rishuwa is used in –Kaduna

303. Ron is used in Plateau

304. Rubu is used in –Niger

305.Rukuba is used in –Plateau

306. Rumada is hard in –Kaduna

307. Rumaya –is used in Kaduna

308. Sakbe is used in -Taraba

309. Sanga is used in Bauchi

310. Sate is used in Taraba

311. Saya (Sayawa Za’ar) is used in. –Bauchi
312. Segidi (Sigidawa) is used in –Bauchi

313. Shanga (Shangawa) is used in –Sokoto

314. Shangawa (Shangau) is used in –Plateau

325. Shan-Shan is used in Plateau

326. Shira (Shirawa) is used in –Kano

327. Shomo is used in -Taraba

328. Shuwa is used in Adamawa and Borno

329. Sikdi is used in -Plateau

330. Siri (Sirawa) is used in Bauchi

331. Srubu (Surubu) is used in -Kaduna

332. Sukur is used in Adamawa

333. Sura is used in Plateau

334. Tangale is used in Bauchi

335. Tarok is used in Plateau, Taraba

336. Teme is used in Adamawa

337. Tera (Terawa) is used in both Bauchi and Borno

338. Teshena (Teshenawa) is used in -Kano

339. Tigon is used in Adamawa

340. Tikar is used in -Taraba

341. Tiv is used in Benue, Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa

342. Tula is used in –Bauchi

343. Tur is used in –Adamawa

344. Ufia is used in Benue

345. Ukelle is used in Cross River

346. Ukwani (Kwale) is used in –Delta

347. Uncinda -is used in Kaduna,Niger Kebbi and Sokoto

348 Uneme (Ineme) is used in Edo

349. Ura (Ula) in spoken in Niger

350. Urhobo is used in Delta

351. Utonkong -belongs to people in Benue

352. Uyanga is used in Cross River

353. Vemgo is used in -Adamawa

354. Verre is used in –Adamawa

355. Vommi is used in Taraba

356. Wagga is used in Adamawa

357. Waka is used in Taraba

358. Warja (Warja) is used in Jigawa

359. Warji is used in -Bauchi

360. Wula is used in Adamawa

361. Wurbo is used in Adamawa

362. Wurkun belongs to Taraba

363. Yache belongs to Cross River

364. Yagba is used in Kwara

365. Yakurr (Yako) is used in Cross River

366. Yalla is used in Benue

367. Yandang is used in Taraba

368. Yergan (Yergum) is spoken in -Plateau

369. Yoruba is used by these states: -(Ekiti, Kwara,Osun Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Oyo and Kogi)

370. Yott is a language of the –Taraba indigenes.

371. Yumu is used in Niger

372. Yungur is used in Adamawa

373. Yuom is used in Plateau

374. Zabara is used in Niger

375. Zaranda is spoken in BauchZarma (Zarmawa) is used in Kebbi

376. Zayam (Zeam) is used in -Bauchi

377. Zul (Zulawa) is used in –Bauchi