CAN RECOGNITION OF LANGUAGE RIGHTS ENHANCE NIGERIANNESS?

Language right is an individual/group right. An individual has a right to the use of his native language in particular instances and an ethno-cultural group also has right to her language. For some to build Nigerianness there should be only one language (English). Others argue that people have a right to the use of their native language even in the public square in as far as it does not harm public business. There are Nigerian languages that can to a certain degree be called national even though they are not the official lingua franca of the nation. These are languages such as Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, etc. These languages are widely spoken and are examined in some national examinations. These languages are equally on national television regularly. Apart from these, most other Nigerian languages are rarely authentically recognized and encouraged. They are at the fringes of national life. While it is true that all the languages that exist in Nigeria cannot be on the same status of acceptability among all, the government has to provide an enabling and nondiscriminatory environment for individuals and groups to promote their languages. The paper uses an analytic method to argue and conclude that equal recognition of language rights in Nigeria will enhance Nigerianness. Ethno-cultural groups feel a sense of belonging when their language is recognized.

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