Learn Nigerian Languages
Master Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa — structured lessons, pronunciation guides, cultural notes and interactive practice. Built specifically for Nigerian students and the diaspora.
Yoruba
Over 45 million speakers in southwestern Nigeria, Benin, Togo and diaspora worldwide. A tonal language with 3 tones: high (´), low (`) and mid (unmarked). Yoruba is the language of Lagos, the lingua franca of Nollywood and a WAEC examinable subject.
Igbo
About 24 million native speakers in southeastern Nigeria — Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi and Rivers states. Also a tonal language. Igbo is the language of the Igbo people, rich in proverbs and oral literature. A WAEC and BECE examinable subject.
Hausa
50+ million native speakers in northern Nigeria and across West Africa — Niger, Chad, Ghana, Cameroon and beyond. Hausa uses the Latin alphabet and is not tonal, making it one of the most accessible Nigerian languages for beginners. A WAEC examinable subject.
🗣️ Quick Phrase Preview
| English | Yoruba | Pronunciation | Igbo | Pronunciation | Hausa | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good morning | Ẹ káàárọ̀ | eh-kaa-ah-ro | Ụtụtụ ọma | oo-too-too oh-mah | Ina kwana | ee-nah kwah-nah |
| Good afternoon | Ẹ káàsán | eh-kaa-saan | Ehihie ọma | eh-hee-hee oh-mah | Ina wuni | ee-nah woo-nee |
| Good evening | Ẹ káalẹ̀ | eh-kaa-leh | Anyasị ọma | an-yah-see oh-mah | Ina yini | ee-nah yee-nee |
| Welcome | Ẹ kaàbọ̀ | eh-kaa-bo | Nnọọ | nnoh-oh | Maraba | mah-rah-bah |
| Thank you | E se | eh-sheh | Daalu | dah-ah-loo | Nagode | nah-goh-deh |
| Goodbye | O dàbọ̀ | oh-da-bo | Ka ọ dị | kah oh dee | Sai anjima | sigh an-jee-mah |
| How are you? | Bawo ni? | bah-woh-nee | Kedu? | keh-doo | Yaya dai? | yah-yah dye |
| I am fine | Mo wa daadaa | moh-wah-dah-dah | A dị mma | ah-dee-mmah | Lafiya lau | lah-fee-yah-low |
| My name is… | Orúkọ mi ni… | oh-roo-koh-mee-nee | Aha m bụ… | ah-hah-m-boo | Sunana ne… | soo-nah-nah-neh |
| Please | Jọwọ | joh-woh | Biko | bee-koh | Don Allah | don-ah-lah |
📊 Quick Language Comparison
| Feature | 🌺 Yoruba | 🌿 Igbo | ⭐ Hausa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Script | Latin alphabet | Latin alphabet | Latin (Boko) alphabet |
| Tonal? | Yes — 3 tones (´ ` unmarked) | Yes — 2 main tones | No — not tonal (easier!) |
| Speakers | ~45 million native + diaspora | ~24 million native | 50 million+ across West Africa |
| WAEC Subject? | Yes (SW Nigeria) | Yes (SE Nigeria) | Yes (N Nigeria) |
| Main region | Southwest Nigeria (Lagos, Ibadan, Oyo) | Southeast Nigeria (Enugu, Anambra, Imo) | North Nigeria + Niger, Chad, Ghana |
| Script system | Standard Yoruba (YSA) | Standard Igbo (Onwu) | Ajami (Arabic) + Boko (Latin) |
| Difficulty for Nigerians | Easy if Yoruba heritage | Easy if Igbo heritage | Easiest for non-speakers (no tones) |
| Related languages | Igala, Itsekiri, Owo | Igala, Izon (distant) | Fulfulde, Kanuri (vocabulary links) |
| Famous speakers | Fela Kuti, Wizkid, Burna Boy | Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Adichie | Aminu Kano, Malam Aminu |
| Best for students | WAEC, Nollywood, SW culture | WAEC, SE culture, literature | WAEC, travel in North, trade |
Why Learn Nigerian Languages?
Pass Your WAEC
Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa are all examinable WAEC subjects. Students in their home regions are required to pass these as core subjects for SS3.
Connect with Family
Millions of Nigerians in the diaspora want to speak with grandparents, relatives and community members in their mother tongue.
Do Business Better
Understanding northern markets in Hausa, or eastern markets in Igbo, opens doors that English alone cannot. Business relationships deepen in the local language.
Understand Nollywood
Appreciate Yoruba movies, Igbo Nollywood films and Hausa Kannywood cinema on a completely different level when you understand the dialogue.
Enjoy Afrobeats Fully
Understand Wizkid's Yoruba phrases, Burna Boy's Pidgin and the Igbo lyrics woven into contemporary Afrobeats music.
Preserve Nigerian Heritage
Over 500 Nigerian languages exist — some are endangered. Learning the major three is a step toward preserving Nigeria's extraordinary linguistic heritage.