Ethnic Groups and Languages
Languages spoken in Nigeria are: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, Efik (Annang/Ibibio/Efik), Ijaw, Edo, Etsako, Esan, Benis Nupe, Ebira and others.
Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo 18%, Ijaw 6.5%, Yakurr 4%, Ibibio 4.5%, Kanuri 4%, Annang 3.5%, Etsakor 2.2%, Tiv 2.5%, Efik 2%, /> Nupe 0.7%,/> Ebira 0.4%,. However these percentages are mere estimates, based on the number of settlements, including the number of towns, villages, hamlets and cities, with information supplied by the Nigeria postal service. The fact still remains that they can be wide off the mark as there is not yet any efficient way these statistics can be obtained within Nigeria. Although, these estimates have come under opposition by those who believe the ethnic group population counts have been tampered with for ethnic numerical superiority.
In the absence of an up to date census, other population figures do not follow scientific procedures. Only these are backed by settlement figures provided by the government.
Read more about this topic: Nigerian Diaspora
Famous quotes containing the words ethnic, groups and/or languages:
“Motherhood is the second oldest profession in the world. It never questions age, height, religious preference, health, political affiliation, citizenship, morality, ethnic background, marital status, economic level, convenience, or previous experience.”
—Erma Bombeck (20th century)
“Belonging to a group can provide the child with a variety of resources that an individual friendship often cannot—a sense of collective participation, experience with organizational roles, and group support in the enterprise of growing up. Groups also pose for the child some of the most acute problems of social life—of inclusion and exclusion, conformity and independence.”
—Zick Rubin (20th century)
“The trouble with foreign languages is, you have to think before your speak.”
—Swedish proverb, trans. by Verne Moberg.