As Nigeria joins the global community in celebrating International Mother Language Day, the National Library of Nigeria has sounded the alarm over the critical endangerment of 29 indigenous languages out of the country’s 563.

At an event marking the 2025 edition of the day in Abuja, the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer, Chinwe Anunobi, highlighted the precarious state of languages such as Njerep and Ichen, which are on the verge of extinction.

Anunobi emphasized the importance of integrating local languages into educational curricula and urged teachers to instill pride in students regarding their linguistic heritage. She also encouraged parents to speak their native languages at home to help sustain them for future generations.

The event, themed ‘Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day,’ featured the public presentation of A Compendium of Alphabets and Numerals of Nigerian Languages.

Anunobi stressed that preserving indigenous languages requires a collective effort, not just the work of institutions.

“Nigeria, with over 563 indigenous languages, has at least 29 that are critically endangered, including Njerep and Ichen,” she stated. “If lost, this would not only erode our cultural heritage but also deprive future generations of indigenous knowledge and traditional wisdom embedded in these languages.”

She further noted that research indicates children learn best in their mother tongue during their early years of education. Citing UNESCO, she explained that first-language instruction enhances cognitive development, boosts creativity, and improves academic performance. However, she warned that the increasing shift towards dominant languages is marginalizing indigenous tongues, thereby threatening their survival.

“The National Library of Nigeria recognizes the significance of promoting mother languages, not just for cultural preservation but also for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which advocates inclusive and equitable quality education for all,” Anunobi added.

Speaking at the event, UNESCO’s National Programme Officer, Stephen Onyekwelu, revealed that the organization is collaborating with the National Library on a pilot project to document and preserve at least three endangered languages in Taraba State. The initiative will use community engagement, language documentation, and digital archives, including live video recordings, to ensure the survival of these languages.

Onyekwelu also called for the establishment of a national committee to develop a strategic plan for preserving Nigeria’s indigenous languages. He urged parents and educators to actively promote linguistic heritage by teaching children their native languages to safeguard cultural continuity.