Professor Christine Iyetunde Ofulue of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) recently delivered the institution's 35th inaugural lecture, titled "Reclaiming Marginalised Voices: Intersections of Diversity and Educational Spaces." The lecture, held on August 19, 2025, in Abuja, focused on the significant global expansion of Nigerian Pidgin, also known as Naijá.
Ofulue stated that Nigerian Pidgin is now spoken by an estimated 100 to 120 million people worldwide, positioning it as the 14th most spoken language globally. This widespread adoption highlights its crucial role as a lingua franca in Nigeria, a nation with approximately 540 languages spoken by over 223 million people. While English serves formal capacities, Nigerian Pidgin has become a unifying language for daily communication, creative expression, and social cohesion, bridging communication gaps across Nigeria's diverse ethnic groups.
The lecture also addressed the challenges faced by minority languages, including endangerment and policy neglect. Professor Ofulue emphasized the resilience of Nigerian Pidgin, tracing its transformation from a colonial-era trade code to its current status as a widely used language, supported by its significant presence in media, entertainment, and commerce, extending its influence beyond Nigeria's borders through trade and cultural exchange.
To foster the revitalization and recognition of indigenous languages, Ofulue proposed strategic, locally focused research initiatives. These include the development of learning analytics systems, the digitization of indigenous knowledge, and comparative studies within African contexts. She also advocated for the standardization of terminology, the creation of glossaries for specialized fields, and the promotion of multimedia content in indigenous languages.
During the event, NOUN Vice-Chancellor Professor Olufemi Peters, who chaired the lecture, expressed his support for Ofulue's insights and even engaged the audience by speaking in Nigerian Pidgin, underscoring the language's growing importance and acceptance within academic and public spheres. The lecture concluded by highlighting that while many minority languages face challenges, Nigerian Pidgin's growth is intrinsically linked to urbanization, regional trade, and the global impact of Nigerian popular culture, particularly music and film, positioning it as a symbol of national belonging and a growing global linguistic force.