As of 2021, Hausa was the most widely spoken local language in Nigeria, as it was used by more than 48 million people. Following this were Yoruba, Nigerian Pidgin, Igbo, and Fulfulde, which registered approximately 39.5 million, 30 million, 27 million, and 22 million speakers, respectively. English is the official language of Nigeria, with 60 million speakers.
Languages spoken in Nigeria as of 2021, by number of speakers
(in 1,000s)
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Languages spoken in Nigeria as of 2021, by number of speakers
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World Population Review. (January 5, 2024). Languages spoken in Nigeria as of 2021, by number of speakers (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1285383/population-in-nigeria-by-languages-spoken/
World Population Review. "Languages spoken in Nigeria as of 2021, by number of speakers (in 1,000s)." Chart. January 5, 2024. Statista. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1285383/population-in-nigeria-by-languages-spoken/
World Population Review. (2024). Languages spoken in Nigeria as of 2021, by number of speakers (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 27, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1285383/population-in-nigeria-by-languages-spoken/
World Population Review. "Languages Spoken in Nigeria as of 2021, by Number of Speakers (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 5 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1285383/population-in-nigeria-by-languages-spoken/
World Population Review, Languages spoken in Nigeria as of 2021, by number of speakers (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1285383/population-in-nigeria-by-languages-spoken/ (last visited April 27, 2025)
Languages spoken in Nigeria as of 2021, by number of speakers (in 1,000s) [Graph], World Population Review, January 5, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1285383/population-in-nigeria-by-languages-spoken/
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