Features of English as a Second language in Nigeria?

Answer 1

The idea of English as a second language in Nigeria simply entails that English is not the mother tongue of Nigerians. There are over 400 ethnic groups in Nigeria each with its distinguished language. The speakers of these languages prefer to speak them at home and in a gathering of close relatives, but for the purpose of business and government the English language is used because, it almost always involves people of various ethnic groups. English language has grown deep roots in the Nigerian communication system and is now an identification of literacy. Hence literacy in Nigeria can be rightly defined as the ability to read, write and speak English. English has become such an essential language that most primary and secondary schools in Nigeria mandate their students to speak only English and sanction them for conversing in their mother tongue. Most parents bring up their children solely on English language and the Nigerian government governs the country in English. And it is not even uncommon to hear a bus conductor or a trader in the market expressing themselves in slang or the known Pi-gin English. This is to show that although English came to Nigeria as a foreign language it is fast but steadily spreading its roots around the country.