Language Attitude and Ideologies in Multilingual Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria’s multilingual landscape, marked by the coexistence of English, numerous indigenous languages, and Nigerian Pidgin, is shaped by deeply rooted language attitudes and ideologies that influence social interaction, education, identity formation, and national development. This study examines prevailing language attitudes in Nigeria and the ideological frameworks that sustain linguistic hierarchies within the country. Adopting a systematic literature review approach, the study synthesizes existing scholarly works to analyze how historical, colonial, educational, and sociopolitical factors have contributed to the dominance of English and the marginalization of indigenous languages. The findings reveal that English continues to function as the language of power, prestige, and socioeconomic mobility, while indigenous Nigerian languages are largely confined to informal and cultural domains, despite their central role in identity construction and cultural transmission. Nigerian Pidgin, meanwhile, emerges as an important communicative bridge across ethnic and social boundaries. These coexisting attitudes reflect a persistent hierarchy in which languages are valued differently based on perceived economic, political, and symbolic capital. The study further highlights the implications of these ideologies for education, social inclusion, and cultural sustainability, noting that the privileging of English often undermines effective learning and contributes to linguistic exclusion. While recent developments in media and digital spaces suggest a gradual re-evaluation of indigenous languages, dominant ideologies remain largely unchanged. The study concludes that fostering more inclusive and balanced language ideologies is essential for promoting educational equity, preserving linguistic diversity, and strengthening social cohesion in Nigeria.