THE IMPACT OF NIGERIAN LANGUAGES ON NATIONAL UNITY

Abstract

This paper examines the role of language in the pursuit of national unity. It notes that since the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria in 1914, the polity has been battling forces of disunity including bankruptcy, ethnic- religious crises, and minority issues. In order to address disunity, successive governments of Nigeria have put in place pro-unity measures to strengthen national unity, harmony and cohesion. Some of these include National Policy on Education, Civil-Military processes, National Youth Service Corps, Physical Infrastructure, Cultural Integration and Sports Activities. The paper employs language goals to show how the pro-unity measures are utilized. The paper also uses examples from Indonesian, Polish and Jewish to present efforts made to use language to achieve national unity. The paper concludes with recommendations that adequate language planning measures be used to strengthen Nigerian unity.