Demographics of Nigeria - Ethnic Groups and Languages

Ethnic Groups and Languages

Languages spoken in Nigeria are: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, Efik (Annang/Ibibio/Efik), Ijaw, Edo, Etsako, Esan, Benis 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%. 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 gotten 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:  Demographics Of Nigeria

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