Did you know that Bauchi State alone has more than 50 times the number of distinct languages spoken in a state like Abia or Imo? In a country with over 500 languages, what does this stark contrast in linguistic diversity, from 106 languages in one state to just 1 in another, reveal about the historical migrations, cultural concentrations, and political dynamics of Nigeria?
To enrich our discussion, please share other languages or states with unique linguistic facts in the comments below!

NIGERIAN STATES WITH THE LEAST LANGUAGES — 2024

1 🟢Abia — 1 [Igbo]
2 🟢Enugu — 1 [Igbo]
2 🟢Imo — 1 [Igbo]
3 🟣Osun — 1 [Yoruba]
4 🟣Oyo — 1 [Yoruba]
5 🟢Anambra — 2 [Igbo & Igala]
6 🟣Ekiti — 2 [Yoruba & Ahan]
7 🔴Kano — 2 [Hausa & Fulfulde]
8 🔴Katsina — 2 [Hausa & Fulfulde]
9 🟣Lagos — 2 [Yoruba & Egun/Ogu]
10 🟣Ogun — 2 [Yoruba & Egun/Ogu]
11 🔴Sokoto — 2 [Hausa & Fulfulde]

🔴NW 🟢SE 🟣SW

NIGERIAN STATES WITH THE MOST LANGUAGES — 2024

1 ⚫️Bauchi — 106
2 ⚫️Adamawa — 77
3 ⚫️Taraba — 61
4 🟠Plateau — 57
5 🔴Kaduna — 56
6 ⚫️Gombe — 27
7 🟠Nasarawa — 23
8 ⚫️Borno — 22
9 🟤Rivers — 20
10 🟠Kogi — 12
11 🟤Cross river — 11
12 🟠Benue — 10

⚫️NE 🟠NC 🔴NW 🟤SS

#Statisense
(National Library of Nigeria)