Nigerian Languages That Have Dissapeared

Nigerian Languages That Have Dissapeared

Nigeria is home to hundreds of languages each carrying it’s people’s culture, identity and history . Sadly, some of these tongues have completely vanished over time as their speaker adopted more dominant languages like Hausa or English. Here are five Nigerian languages that are now extinct;

I. Ajawa

Once spoken in Bauchi State, the Ajawa language faded away between the 1920s and 1940s. Over time, its speakers gradually abandoned it for Hausa, and the language eventually disappeared from daily use.

II. Auyokawa (Tirio)

Known locally as Tirio, this language was native to Auyo Local Government Area in present day Jigawa State. It has since gone silent, with no known native speakers left today.

III. Odut

By 1980, only about 20 people in Cross River State were still known to speak Odut, most of them elderly. As the years passed, the language died out completely, taking with it a part of the community’s oral tradition.

IV. Basa-Gumna

Formerly spoken in parts of Niger and Nasarawa States, Basa-Gumna was once vibrant among communities near Chanchaga and the Basa homeland. The language gradually disappeared as its speakers embraced Hausa.

V. Kpati

Kpati was a small language community once found in Taraba State, near the border with Cameroon. It was officially reported extinct in 1984, marking the end of its spoken legacy.

A Heritage at Risk

The extinction of these languages is a stark reminder of how fragile cultural heritage can be. Many other Nigerian languages both small and large are now endangered. Even widely spoken tongues like Yoruba and Igbo face decline as younger generations lean toward English.

Every lost language means the loss of ancient wisdom, songs, stories, and identity. Preserving and speaking our native languages at home, in schools, and in communities is one of the most powerful ways to keep our cultural roots alive.