2025 NILP: Over 2,000 Nigerians Trained in Indigenous Languages as NICO Pushes for Legislation to Prevent Extinction

By our Correspondent

In a sustained effort to promote and safeguard Nigeria’s indigenous languages from extinction, the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has successfully trained more than two thousand Nigerians in fourteen different languages.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2025 August Edition of the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) in Abuja, NICO’s Executive Secretary, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, explained that the training was held simultaneously across the Institute’s offices in all six geopolitical zones of the country.

“The Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme is an initiative driven with dedication and passion, and we are delighted by the turnout for this year’s edition. Our indigenous languages are central to our cultural identity and national heritage. They embody the essence of our history, traditions, and values,” Ajiboye said.

He stressed that the programme was conceived in response to the alarming global decline of indigenous languages, a trend that Nigeria has not been spared from. According to him, promoting Nigerian languages not only preserves cultural diversity but also enriches the human experience.

“This initiative is designed to raise awareness about the importance of speaking our indigenous languages, instill pride in our linguistic heritage, promote national identity, and advance Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy. Experts warn that if current trends continue, many Nigerian languages could disappear within the next three decades. It is projected that by the end of this century, about 90% of languages may be replaced by dominant ones,” he noted.

In line with its mandate, Ajiboye revealed that NICO has introduced several complementary initiatives, including the Weekend Indigenous Language Programme, the Online Language Teaching Programme, Language in the Barracks, and the teaching of indigenous languages in NYSC camps. He further disclosed that the Institute has reviewed the NICO Training School syllabus to integrate language teaching and build human capacity in this critical area.

He called on government, media, schools, and civil society to support revitalization efforts, stressing that indigenous language survival requires collective effort and sustained commitment. Ajiboye also urged parents to encourage their children to learn and speak indigenous languages, noting that doing so would help preserve Nigeria’s rich cultural identity.

“As we close this edition of the NILP, we look forward to the impact of the knowledge and skills you have gained,” he added.

Delivering a vote of thanks, NICO’s Director of Orientation and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Segun Adegbaju, assured that the Institute would continue implementing programmes that protect Nigerian languages from extinction. He also appealed to stakeholders for continuous support in enabling NICO to fully harness culture for national development.

Participants commended the Institute for sustaining and improving the annual programme, urging increased funding for NICO’s activities to further strengthen unity, peace, and cultural cohesion through indigenous languages.

The event concluded with a practical demonstration of the languages learned by participants, as well as the presentation of certificates and gifts to beneficiaries.